Minoli Perera

Minoli Perera is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Her research focuses on pharmacogenomics in minority populations, aiming to advance precision medicine for underrepresented groups. She leads the Perera Lab and collaborates with institutions such as the University of Florida, Stanford University, and the Pharmacogenomics Research Network (PGRN).

• Education: PharmD from University of Tennessee (2001), PhD from Ohio State University (2003), postdoctoral training in pharmacogenomics at the University of Chicago (2006).

Dr. Perera’s work addresses disparities in genomic studies, emphasizing the impact of African ancestry on gene expression and drug response. Her lab investigates genetic variants affecting anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies, supported by grants like the $7.5 million NIH award to accelerate precision medicine for African American patients. Recent publications highlight her contributions to understanding diversity in pharmacogenomics and clinical implementation challenges.

Her research trends span pharmacogenomics, genomics, and healthcare equity, with subfields including drug-gene interactions, multi-omics analysis, and ethical considerations in genomic research. Current projects involve predictive models of drug response, transcriptomic drivers of metabolism, and pharmacogenomic integration into inpatient prescribing practices.

• Scientific Awards: Genomics and Health Disparities Lecturer (NIH 2019), Leon I. Goldberg Early Investigator Award (ASCPT 2015).

Dr. Perera mentors graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, such as Anmol Singh and Guang Yang, while leading consortiums like the ACCouNT Consortium. She actively participates in editorial boards (e.g., Frontiers in Pharmacogenomics) and professional leadership roles, including President-Elect of the Pharmacogenomics Global Research Network.