In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Koenig sits down with Mike Polcari, former chief architect at 23andMe and now founder and CEO of Haplotype Labs, to discuss the evolution of consumer genomics and the future of personalized medicine. Mike shares insights from his journey at 23andMe, where he helped scale the platform into a leader in genetic testing, and how that experience led him to launch Haplotype Labs. The conversation dives deep into polygenic risk scores, the power of genetic data in preventative healthcare, and how AI-driven platforms like Haplo Hub are bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and clinical application. If you're curious about how genetics is revolutionizing medicine, predicting disease risks, and optimizing health strategies, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss.

Episode Highlights:

• From Tech to Genomics – Mike Polcari transitioned from a background in software engineering at Salesforce to becoming the chief architect at 23andMe, where he played a pivotal role in scaling consumer genomics.
• Scaling 23andMe – He was instrumental in driving 23andMe’s technology, helping it evolve from a niche DNA testing service into a mainstream household brand with millions of users.
• The Power of Polygenic Risk Scores – These genetic models help predict disease risk by analyzing multiple genetic markers, providing valuable insights for preventative healthcare.
• Bridging Research & Clinical Care – Polcari’s new venture, Haplotype Labs, aims to translate genetic discoveries into actionable health solutions for clinicians and patients.
• Haplo Hub’s Mission – His startup provides a SaaS platform that enables genetic testing labs and medical practices to integrate advanced genetic risk models into healthcare.
• Applications Beyond Ancestry – Genetic insights are being applied to everything from cardiovascular disease prevention to autoimmune conditions and personalized medicine.
• Challenges in Healthcare Adoption – Despite advances in genomics, there is still a gap in translating genetic reports into actionable clinical decisions, which Haplotype Labs seeks to address.
• The Future of Precision Medicine – With AI and continuous research, personalized medicine is becoming more effective, allowing individuals to make informed choices about their health and longevity.

Connect with MIKE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/polcari/

LINKS:

https://www.drjeremykoenig.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drjeremykoenig/
https://www.youtube.com/@drjeremykoenig

Here's the link for this week's episode: https://drjeremykoenig.substack.com/p/the-polygenic-tapestry