Dr. Adrienne Leussa joins MindSea CEO Reuben Hall to discuss the impact diversity in genetic research can effect upon drug discovery and precision medicine. In her multifaceted career as a biochemist, Dr. Leussa has integrated her dual passions for science and for African business development. In this episode, she shares her insights into the vast potential that expanded genetic research in the African continent could hold for healthcare on a global scale.
Dr. Adrienne Leussa
Currently the Director of Ecosystem Partnerships at 54gene, a health technology platform company, Dr. Leussa holds a PhD in biochemistry from Stellenbosch University. In addition to her roles in the business world, she has served as a university lecturer and managed an academic research laboratory.
Dr. Leussa first encountered 54gene as a client—after leaving academia for the business world. Now, she leverages her academic expertise as she manages partnerships between 54gene and higher learning institutions across the African continent.
Episode Highlights
• The importance of diverse data for precision medicine
• Historically low patient-centricity as a bottleneck in clinical research
• Why 54gene focuses on genomics data to support drug discovery efforts
• How 54gene helps motivate individuals to donate their genetic data
• Advancements in digital health that can help benefit drug development
• How more inclusive data gathering would benefit the global community as a whole
• Major accomplishments 54gene has managed in just three years
• How 54gene leverages AI and machine learning in its data analysis
• Dr. Leussa’s own podcast, Africa Biotech Conversations, and its mission
Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-leussa/
https://54gene.com
African Biotech Conversations podcast on Spotify