Speaker Profile
M.D., Hematopathologist / Molecular Pathologist, City of Hope National Medical Center
Biography
Dr. Raju K. Pillai is a physician scientist working at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA. He completed his residency at University of Southern California and fellowships in hematopathology and molecular genetic pathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Triple board-certified in anatomic and clinical pathology, molecular genetic pathology and hematopathology, he is an active member of multiple professional associations, and has published more than 28 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts and book chapters. He is one of the expert hematopathologists at City of Hope with specialty expertise in diagnosis and genomic evaluation of hematologic diseases. As the director of Pathology Bioinformatics at City of Hope, Dr. Pillai is highly experienced in developing genomic assays and adapting bioinformatics tools for clinical use. His current research studies focus on multi-dimensional genomic analysis of cancer specimens and using that information to guide targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Session Abstract – PMWC 2018 Silicon Valley
Session Synopsis: Genomics guided precision medicine has great potential in terms of health management, disease prevention and improved diagnosis and treatment – however significant interpretation, translational and decision support challenges remain for molecular diagnostics labs, physicians and the patients and consumers they serve. There has been material progress in the development of better assays and wet lab capabilities but significant unmet needs and challenges remain for the insightfulness, clinical relevance and action-ability of lab reporting and physician decision support that has constrained the democratization of these promising genomics technologies. This panel, moderated by Sean P. Scott from QIAGEN, and composed of key stakeholders across the clinical workflow from ordering physician through laboratory director and pathologist to patient will provide a broad perspective on the current state of genomics-guided precision medicine and provide input on the trends, opportunities and challenges moving forward.
