SNPs & Scripts

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded season finale, the hosts, Kat Labitan, Ellie Nichols, Alisha Ghossein, and Alexandra Blas, reflect on their journey through Western New England University's Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics (MSPGx) program. From favorite courses and challenging lab projects to clinical rotations and mentorship, the team shares the lessons, "aha!" moments, and gene-drug pairs that shaped their view of personalized medicine. Plus, hear their plans for the future, surprising advice for new pharmacogenomics (PGx)/pharmacy/healthcare students, and a few lighthearted puns to wrap up the season.

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded episode 9, Alisha Ghossein and Alexandra Blas interviewed a recent 2025 Pharmacy graduate, Brian Georges. Brian received his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and his Master's in Pharmacogenomics (MSPGx) in the spring of 2025. During this interview, they discussed why he decided to pursue a Master's in Pharmacogenomics (MSPGx) and his experience with it in the pharmacy field. They also gathered insight into what it's like applying for pharmacy residency and his thoughts on the use of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in the field.

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded episode 10, Ellie Nichols and Kat Labitan dive deep into the current and future landscape of pharmacogenomics (PGx). From test types and direct-to-consumer kits like 23andMe to the evolution of guidelines like PharmGKB into ClinPGx, they unravel how pharmacogenomics (PGx) is shaping personalized medicine. They explore pharmacogenomics (PGx) application in transplant pharmacotherapy, examine the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in tailoring prescriptions, and discuss what it takes to prepare the next generation of pharmacists and physicians to embrace genomic tools in patient care.

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded episode 8, Ellie Nichols and Kat Labitan interviewed Dr. Arin C. Whitman-Jemison, PharmD, MPH, BCOP. Dr. Whitman is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and a Board-Certified Oncology Pharmacist. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Duquesne University, and completed her first-year residency and teaching certificate at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Mercy Hospital, followed by a second-year residency in Hematology and Oncology at Allegheny General Hospital. Dr. Whitman-Jemison currently practices at University of Massachusetts Memorial Health in the Hematology and Oncology Clinic, where she collaborates with healthcare providers to optimize cancer care, supports patient education, and ensures safe use of oral chemotherapy agents. At Western New England University, she teaches across multiple didactic and experiential courses in hematology and oncology, pharmacogenomics (PGx), and public health, and serves as a member of faculty in the Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics (MSPGx) program. She also co-directs the college’s Community Outreach and Summer Programs, including the Golden Bear and Jr. Golden Bear Summer Camp, which introduces middle and high school students, primarily from the Springfield, MA area, to healthcare careers through interactive learning. Dr. Whitman-Jemison’s outreach has earned regional and national recognition, including features by NBC News and Pharm4Me’s Faces of Pharmacy. She serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/Metrowest, is a member of its National Leadership Council, and advises Western New England University’s student chapters of Student National Pharmaceutical Association, New England Pharmaceutical Society, National Pharmaceutical Association, and Network for Collaborative Oncology Development & Advancement. She also serves on the Community Advisory Board for the Massachusetts Public Health Data Warehouse, supporting state-level efforts to address public health challenges through data-driven policy and research. In this interview, they discussed a wide variety of topics relevant to Pharmacogenomics. They also gathered insight into what it’s like to work with pharmacogenomics (PGx) in a real-world healthcare setting. Dr. Arin C. Whitman-Jemison gave valuable insight into the approaches and limitations to utilizing pharmacogenomics (PGx) in patient care.

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded episode 3, the hosts introduce themselves: Alisha Ghoussein, Ellie Nichols, Alexandra Blas, and Kat Labitan are all students within the Western New England University Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics (MSPGx) program's class of 2025. Each student brings a unique background to the field of pharmacogenomics (PGx) and plans on utilizing it in different ways. This episode dives into what pharmacogenomics (PGx) really is and how it is applied to guide personalized treatment decisions with real-world clinical examples to highlight the importance of genotyping. The meaning and significance of the podcast title, SNPs & Scripts, is revealed as the hosts begin to explore the ethical implications of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing.

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded episode 4, Kat Labitan and Ellie Nichols unpack the findings from the groundbreaking PREPARE (Preemptive Pharmacogenomic Testing for Preventing Adverse Drug Responses) study. This multi-country clinical trial explored how preemptive pharmacogenomic testing can reduce side effects, hospitalizations, and treatment costs for patients with major psychiatric conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This cluster‐randomized, crossover study, including hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in Austria, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK, gives insight into the impact of psychiatric pharmacogenomic testing. Follow along with the journal linked below and let us know your thoughts!

Citation: Tsermpini, E. E., Skokou, M., Ferentinos, P., Georgila, E., Gourzis, P., Assimakopoulos, K., Patrinos, G. P., & U-PGx Group in Greece (2020). Clinical implementation of preemptive pharmacogenomics in psychiatry: Τhe "PREPARE" study. Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki, 31(4), 341–351. https://doi.org/10.22365/jpsych.2020.314.341

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded episode 5, Ellie Nichols and Kat Labitan discuss the challenges and opportunities highlighted in the Sanford Children's Genomic Medicine Consortium white paper, which calls for urgent action to advance pharmacogenomics (PGx) in pediatric care. The paper breaks down barriers like sparse pediatric data, developmental enzyme changes, and insurance coverage gaps. Tune in for a discussion on how leading children's hospitals are collaborating to build infrastructure, launch clinical studies, and educate healthcare teams. From ethical dilemmas to system-wide solutions, this conversation sheds light on why pediatric pharmacogenomics (PGx) is essential to the future of precision medicine and how we get there. Follow along with the journal linked below and let us know your thoughts!

Citation: Gregornik, D., Salyakina, D., Brown, M., Roiko, S., & Ramos, K. (2021). Pediatric pharmacogenomics: challenges and opportunities: on behalf of the Sanford Children's Genomic Medicine Consortium. The pharmacogenomics journal, 21(1), 8–19. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41397-020-00181-w

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded episode 6, Alisha Ghossein and Alexandra Blas discuss a journal titled "Clinical and Pharmacogenomic Predictors of Survival in Tamoxifen-Treated Breast Cancer Female Patients: A Real-World Study". They go into detail on the background of tamoxifen use in breast cancer patients, the methods and results of this article, and end the discussion with the study's strengths and limitations, as well as final thoughts. Follow along with the journal linked below and let us know your thoughts!

Citation: Al-Matrafi, A. R., Bedair, K. F., Srinivasan, S., Palmer, C., Campbell, A., Hayward, C., Pearson, E. R., & Petty, R. D. (2025). Clinical and pharmacogenomic predictors of survival in tamoxifen treated breast cancer female patients: a real-world study. BMC cancer, 25(1), 974. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14162-4

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded episode 7, Alisha Ghossein and Alexandra Blas discuss the journal article, "Proportion of Antipsychotics with CYP2D6 Pharmacogenetic (PGx) Associations Prescribed in an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Cohort: A Cross-Sectional Study." They break down how often antipsychotics with known CYP2D6 gene-drug interactions are prescribed in early psychosis care, what this means for precision medicine, and how pharmacogenomic testing could influence future treatment strategies. Follow along with the journal linked below and let us know your thoughts!

Citation: Jameson, A., Faisal, M., Fylan, B., Bristow, G. C., Sohal, J., Dalton, C., Sagoo, G. S., Cardno, A. G., & McLean, S. L. (2024). Proportion of Antipsychotics with CYP2D6 Pharmacogenetic (PGx) Associations Prescribed in an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Cohort: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 38(4), 382–394. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811241238283

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In SNPs & Scripts' Decoded season premiere, the hosts, Kaitlyn (Kat) Labitan, Ellie Nichols, Alisha Ghossein, and Alexandra Blas, provide an insider's perspective on the mission and motivation behind creating the podcast, featuring a brief conversation about the critical role of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in clinical care and precision medicine, as well as how genetic variations, particularly single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), can influence drug responses and health outcomes.

Whether you're a pharmacist, genetic counselor, healthcare provider, student, or simply curious about how your genes affect your medications, tune in for a podcast dedicated to education, accessibility, and interdisciplinary conversation in the rapidly evolving world of pharmacogenomics (PGx).