Acclaimed geneticist Dr. David H. Ledbetter, Ph.D., FACMG joins the FSU Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases

David Ledbetter

 

Dr. David H. Ledbetter, Ph.D., FACMG joins Florida State university as the inaugural Associate Director for Precision Medicine at the Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (IPRD) and Professor of Clinical Sciences.

Dr. Ledbetter is a distinguished scientist, administrator, and human geneticist with board certification in clinical cytogenetics from the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics. He is also an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He earned his undergraduate degree from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, and his Ph.D. in Behavioral Genetics and Psychology from the University of Texas, Austin, TX.

Dr. Ledbetter’s research has advanced our understanding of the genetic foundations of neurodevelopmental disorders. His groundbreaking early discoveries identified the genetic causes of Prader-Willi syndrome and Miller-Dieker syndrome, and his subsequent work has focused on uncovering the genetic underpinnings of autism, intellectual disability, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and schizophrenia. His broader research interests include genomics and precision health, genetic testing, gene patents and licensing, and newborn screening.

With continuous NIH funding since 1984, Dr. Ledbetter has made significant and sustained contributions to human genetics. His research emphasizes the identification of specific genetic etiologies, such as genes and copy number variants, and the development of technologies for the prevention, early diagnosis, and early intervention of both rare and common neurodevelopmental disorders.

 

Dr. Ledbetter has held prestigious academic and leadership positions throughout his illustrious career, including:

  • Baylor College of Medicine: Director of the Kleberg Cytogenetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory and Professor of Human and Molecular Genetics
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH): Branch Chief at the National Center for Human Genome Research
  • University of Chicago: Founding Chair of the Department of Human Genetics and Marjorie I. and Bernard A. Mitchell Professor
  • Emory University School of Medicine: Robert W. Woodruff Professor and Director of the Division of Medical Genetics in the Department of Human Genetics
  • Geisinger Health System: Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer
  • University of Florida – Jacksonville: Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry

 

Dr. Ledbetter’s scholarly output is prolific and widely recognized, with numerous publications in high-impact scientific journals. His Google Scholar profile reflects an impressive citation count and h-index, underscoring the far-reaching influence of his work.

Dr. Ledbetter’s extensive experience and pioneering contributions to human genetics will undoubtedly enhance the mission and impact of the IPRD.