Virtual Medicine Grand Rounds – Elizabeth McNally, MD, PhD, Northwestern University, “Genetics and Ancestry in Medicine: Lessons from CardioGenetics.”

Elizabeth McNally is a physician and scientist who directs the Center for Genetic Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.  As the Elizabeth J. Ward Professor of Genetic Medicine, Dr. McNally is a cardiologist with expertise in cardiovascular genetics.  Her work focuses on understanding genetic mechanisms underlying heritable cardiac disorders.  By developing a deeper understanding as to how these genetic mutations exert their effects, she is using these genetic signals to drive the development of new therapies.  Dr. McNally has a special interest in neuromuscular genetic diseases like muscular dystrophy since often these disorders have accompanying cardiovascular complications.  Her translational accomplishments have been recognized through an award from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation and as a recipient a Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.  She serves on the Board of Directors for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and is the current Chair for the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences of the American Heart Association.  She is a past president of American Society for Clinical Investigation and Vice President of the Association of American Physicians.   She is the founder of Ikaika Therapeutics.  She has mentored more than 80 trainees.