GGC Welcomes Dr. Gavin Arno as Associate Director of Research (Innovation)

Greenwood, SC – Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) announces the appointment of Dr. Gavin Arno as the new Associate Director of Research (Innovation). Dr. Arno brings to GGC a wealth of expertise and a commitment to advancing genetic research.

In his role as Associate Director of Research (Innovation), Dr. Arno will collaborate with GGC colleagues to advance the understanding of the impact of rare genetic variation on inherited disease. He will lead efforts to integrate long-read sequencing such as Oxford Nanopore Technologies-based sequencing to identify the causes for unsolved genetic disorders. Additionally, Dr. Arno will play a key role in GGC’s Genomic Discovery Program, contributing to the resolution of variants of uncertain significance and the identification of novel genetic disease genes.

Dr. Arno’s research focuses on interpreting and characterizing genetic defects leading to rare diseases, particularly in the field of ophthalmic genetics and inherited eye diseases (IED). He has spearheaded numerous projects, including pioneering the use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for inherited retinal disease (IRD) genetic analysis. His laboratory identified genes such as REEP6 in retinitis pigmentosa and ARHGEF18 in retinal degeneration, making significant contributions to IRD gene discovery.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Arno to the Greenwood Genetic Center,” said Dr. Steve Skinner, President and CEO of GGC. “His extensive experience in genetic research and commitment to innovation will strengthen our efforts to improve patient outcomes and advance the field of medical genetics.”

Dr. Arno is an honorary Associate Professor at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, UK and an honorary Principal Investigator at the Laboratory of Visual Physiology/Ophthalmic Genetics, National Institute of Sensory Organs, Tokyo, Japan. He serves as the co-chair of the Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) Retina Gene Curation Expert Panel (GCEP) and co-leads the Genomics England Genotype-Phenotype Association Community.

“I am honored to join the distinguished team at GGC and contribute to groundbreaking research. I am committed to advancing our understanding of genetic variation and its impact on human health, ultimately striving to improve diagnostic rates,” said Dr. Arno. “I look forward to collaborating with the team at GGC and drive advancements that will directly impact patient care”.