Lydia Hellwig

Lydia Hellwig, PhD, ScM, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) in Bethesda, MD, affiliated with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Her primary appointment resides in the Department of Pediatrics within the School of Medicine, where she serves as a Genetic Counselor conducting clinical practice and genomic research.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Genomic Medicine from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (2023), Dissertation: Assessment of the Current State of Genomic Medicine in the Military Health System.
• ScM in Genetic Counseling from Johns Hopkins University (2017), Thesis: Patient Perceptions of Uncertain Genetic Variants.
• BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology and BA in Sociology, with a Minor in Psychology, from Johns Hopkins University (2014).

Dr. Hellwig's research centers on genomic medicine implementation within military contexts, emphasizing psychosocial outcomes, genomic literacy, and clinical education. Her work investigates disease-specific applications including sudden cardiac death, cancer genetics, and pharmacogenomics, with particular attention to military service implications like deployment eligibility and combat medical care. She actively addresses barriers to integrating genomic technologies into operational military healthcare systems.

Analysis of her 2018-2021 publications reveals consistent thematic focus on military genomics: pharmacogenomic applications in combat settings, cardiac risk management for service members, and ethical considerations of genomic findings in military careers. Her research demonstrates strong alignment between clinical practice, military operational requirements, and patient-centered genomic care delivery.

Scientific awards: No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text.

As a co-investigator and genetic counselor, Dr. Hellwig contributes to multiple genomic research projects including implementation studies for military genomic medicine and investigations into sudden cardiac death and cancer. Her grant-related work focuses on practical translation of genomic technologies within the Military Health System, with emphasis on improving health outcomes through evidence-based genomic applications.

Her work operates through the Department of Pediatrics at USU in collaboration with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, integrating clinical practice, research, and education to advance genomic medicine for military personnel and beneficiaries.