Keith L. Keene, PhD

The Voices in Clinical and Translational Science Seminar Series is designed to lift underrepresented voices in research across the iTHRIV partnership. The series focuses on promoting dialogue and encouraging team science. It is designed to amplify diverse perspectives in clinical and translational research, and in doing so, foster innovation and an inclusive environment.

In the Voices seminar on March 26, Keith L. Keene, PhD, is presenting Integrating Genomics and Public Health Approaches to Achieve Health Equity.

Dr. Keene is a Professor of Public Health Sciences and the Director of the Center for Health Equity and Precision Public Health (CHEPPH) at the University of Virginia. He has nearly 20 years of experience in Precision Health and Genomics research, with a longstanding commitment to research focused on health disparities and health equity. Dr. Keene’s research experience includes using -Omics based approaches (e.g. genetic, epigenetic, metabolomics), statistical, and molecular biology methodologies, to identify heritable risk variants contributing to complex diseases. He is particularly interested in performing integrative -Omics analyses utilizing biospecimens from underserved and marginalized populations, with hopes of alleviating the disparate burden of disease in those populations.

As the inaugural director of CHEPPH, Dr. Keene is working to grow an interdisciplinary center devoted to integrating Precision Medicine, Public Health, and Health Informatics approaches to improve the health and well-being of rural, economically challenged, and racial/ethnic-minority populations. He will lead a team of scientists, administrators, and clinicians to utilize inclusive approaches to reduce disparities, promote health equity, and create a diverse workforce population where every person has the opportunity to “attain his or her full health potential”. He was listed as one of “1000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America” Recent honors by Cell Mentor in 2021. Dr. Keene is an established NIH and NSF-funded researcher, and his research demonstrates a commitment to team science and multi-disciplinary work.