History

The Division of Genetic Medicine (initially known as the Division of Medical Genetics and then later as the Division of Molecular Medicine and Genetics) was founded in 1977. Below are the chiefs who have led our division since its inception.

Thomas D. Gelehrter, MD (1977 - 1987)

U-M Molecular Medicine and Genetics Division, Dr. Thomas Gelehrter
Thomas D. Gelehrter, MD

Thomas D. Gelehrter, MD, was appointed the first director of the Division of Medical Genetics in 1977. He later became Chair of U-M's Department of Human Genetics in 1987 and held this position until 2004. In 1990, Dr. Gelehrter, along with Francis Collins, MD, PhD, published the successful textbook, Principles of Medical Genetics, the first to integrate modern molecular genetics with clinical genetics. He became Professor Emeritus in 2007, and continues to teach and see patients in the Medical Genetics Clinic.

Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD (1987 - 1991)

Dr. Francis S. Collins
Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD

In 1987, Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, becomes the Medical Genetics Division Chief and holds this position until 1991. He then served as Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 1993-2008 and was appointed the 16th Director of the NIH in 2009.

James M. Wilson, MD, PhD (1991 - 1993)

Dr. James M. Wilson
James M. Wilson, MD, PhD

In 1991, the division is renamed Division of Molecular Medicine and Genetics and James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, becomes chief of the division. He is currently the Director of the Rose H. Weiss Orphan Disease Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

David Ginsburg, MD (1993 - 2002)

U-M Molecular Medicine and Genetics Division, Dr. David Ginsburg
David Ginsburg, MD

In 1993, David Ginsburg, MD, is appointed Division Chief and served in this position until 2002. He is currently a Professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Human Genetics, and Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, and a Research Professor with the Life Sciences Institute at the University of Michigan.

Stephen J. Weiss, MD (2002 - 2010)

U-M Molecular Medicine and Genetics Division, Dr. Stephen J. Weiss
Stephen J. Weiss, MD

In 2002, Stephen J. Weiss, MD, is named chief of the Division of Molecular Medicine and Genetics. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, a Research Professor with the Life Sciences Institute at the University of Michigan, and in 2016, he was appointed as the Associate Director for Basic Science at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Eric R. Fearon, MD, PhD (2010 - 2018)

U-M Molecular Medicine and Genetics Division, Dr. Eric Fearon
Eric R. Fearon, MD, PhD

Eric R. Fearon, MD, PhD, becomes Chief of the Division of Molecular Medicine and Genetics in 2010 and is our current Division Chief. He is also a Professor in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Pathology, and Human Genetics, and in 2016, was named Director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Goutham Narla, MD, PhD (2018 - Present)

U-M Genetic Medicine Division, Dr. Goutham Narla
Goutham Narla, MD, PhD

Goutham Narla, MD, PhD, is selected as the next Chief of the Division of Genetic Medicine and assumed this position in July 2018. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. He was named the first Harrington Distinguished Scholar (Early Career Award) in 2012 and is currently the president of The Young Scientist Foundation.