Gordana Raca, PhD, FACMG

I am a clinical cytogeneticist and molecular geneticist with more than twenty years of experience in academic clinical genetics laboratories. Over the course of my career, I have contributed to a broad range of diagnostic services and have extensive experience interpreting results from genetic testing approaches that range from traditional chromosome studies to genome wide sequencing. My work includes testing for inherited genetic conditions as well as genetic changes that develop in cancers, particularly hematologic malignancies and pediatric tumors.

My primary professional interest centers on large scale changes in the genome (copy number variants and balanced structural rearrangements) and their role in human disease. I am especially interested in how newer laboratory technologies, including chromosomal microarray, next generation sequencing, optical genome mapping, and long read sequencing, can improve the detection and understanding of these changes in a clinical setting.

I have led the clinical introduction of several advanced genomic technologies, resulting in the development of new diagnostic services in my laboratories. These include genetic testing for fetal loss and blood cancers, as well as RNA based testing to identify cancer related gene fusions and to support the classification of pediatric leukemias. I also maintain strong clinical interests in genetic testing for inherited conditions such as epilepsy, immune disorders, cancer predisposition syndromes, bone marrow failure and telomere related disorders. More recently, my work has focused on the clinical value of long read sequencing for resolving complex inherited genomic changes and for providing rapid, comprehensive diagnostic testing in pediatric leukemias. In addition to my role in the Genetics and Genomics Diagnostic Laboratory I hold a secondary appointment in the Molecular and Genomic Pathology Services Laboratory within the Division of Pathology, reflecting my focus on cancer diagnostics.

Teaching and mentorship are core aspects of my academic work. I have served as Training Director and faculty for accredited laboratory genetics fellowship programs and have developed structured laboratory training experiences for residents and fellows. I have lectured widely at the undergraduate, graduate, and national levels and continue to contribute to educational programs through several professional organizations.

My professional service includes long term involvement with national committees and boards focused on laboratory quality, education, and cancer genomics. I currently co lead a Clinical Genomic Resource (ClinGen) pediatric cancer genomics taskforce that develops resources for clinical interpretation of somatic variants in pediatric tumors; I also serve on the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Cytogenetics Committee, where I review data for national acute myeloid leukemia clinical trials.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing tennis and swimming, taking long walks and caring for my cat and my many plants.