Oni-Orisan and Tamraz Awarded STRIPE Double Helix Award for Contributions to Pharmacogenomics

Akinyemi Oni-Orisan, PharmD, PhD, and Bani Tamraz, PharmD, PhD, have been recognized with the inaugural STRIPE Double Helix Award by the American Society of Pharmacovigilance, which honors exceptional contributions to pharmacogenomics.

Oni-Orisan, whose lab conducts computational research investigating therapies for cardiovascular disease using observational data from electronic health records, has been instrumental in developing clinical applications that bring pharmacogenomics (PGx) directly to patient care. His research, which integrates pharmacology, genetics and patient-focused studies, is focused on understanding how genetic differences affect individual responses to medications.

Tamraz played a key role in the May 9, 2023, launch of the clinical PGx program at UCSF Health as its clinical lead and serves as the inaugural director of the PGx program at the UCSF School of Pharmacy. A dedicated advocate for PGx, Tamraz provided expert testimony to the California Assembly Health Committee in support of the Pharmacogenomics Advancing Total Health (PATH) for All Act (Assembly Bill 425). This legislation, which took effect in July 2024, establishes PGx as a covered benefit for Medi-Cal members, expanding access to precision medicine in California’s state-funded health program.

Advancing pharmacogenomics

The STRIPE Double Helix Awards celebrate those who drive advancements in pharmacogenomics — a field that tailors drug therapies to patients based on their genes to improve treatment outcomes and safety. The awards were presented Oct. 23, 2024, during the STRIPE Annual Meeting and Consensus Workshop at the U.S. Pharmacopeia Campus in Rockville, Maryland, featuring leading experts, stakeholders and innovators in pharmacogenomics.

Jennifer Cocohoba, PharmD, MAS, who nominated both Oni-Orisan and Tamraz, expressed her admiration for their groundbreaking work. “Both Akin and Bani are driving forces in pharmacogenomics,” she said. “Their research is shaping how we understand patient response to medications, and they’re doing it in a way that brings science closer to the bedside in ways that can have a significant impact for patients and their medications. Bani and Akin are innovators and leaders who are passionate about pharmacogenomics and who are dedicated to moving this field forward in profound ways.” Cocohoba is the interim chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and the McKesson Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology.

Innovation, leadership, impact

According to the American Society of Pharmacovigilance, recipients of the award “represent the highest levels of innovation, leadership and impact within the field,” which Oni-Orisan and Tamraz have exemplified throughout their careers at UCSF.

“It’s a tremendous honor to receive the STRIPE Double Helix Award,” said Oni-Orisan, who mentors pharmacy students as the inaugural lead of the Health Disparities in Precision Medicine Discovery Group. “Pharmacogenomics is the future of individualized patient care, and this recognition reinforces the importance of the work we’re doing to make this future a reality. I’m grateful to the ASP and to everyone who has supported our work in advancing this vital field.”

Tamraz, who attended the award ceremony virtually, shared similar sentiments about the importance of the field and their collective achievements. “Pharmacogenomics is transforming health care, and receiving this award underscores the critical need for research that can be translated directly to clinical settings,” said Tamraz, who has nested several PGx studies within the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study, formerly the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) cohort, as well as studies utilizing data from the PGx program at UCSF Health. “I am honored to be part of a group of leaders who are all dedicated to making this science accessible and impactful in patient care.”

“Both Akin and Bani’s dedication to pharmacogenomics have paved the way for new insights in precision medicine and reflect our mission at the UCSF School of Pharmacy to advance health worldwide through discovery,” said Dean Kathy Giacomini, PharmD, BSPharm. “Their work serves as an inspiration not only to our students but also to the entire field of pharmacogenomics. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the positive impact they continue to have on patient care and personalized medicine.”

Collaboration bridges gaps between research, clinical practice, policy

The STRIPE Double Helix Awards are divided into two categories: Excellence in Advancing Pharmacogenomics Through Collaboration and Outstanding Achievement in Pharmacogenomics. Oni-Orisan’s and Tamraz’s awards emphasize the importance of collaboration across disciplines, organizations and sectors to drive scientific discovery and bridge gaps between research, clinical practice and policy.

The Double Helix Awards aim to continue inspiring leaders in the field who are driven by research, education, clinical application and advocacy, ensuring that the benefits of pharmacogenomics reach patients everywhere.

As ASP Executive Director Benjamin Brown emphasized, “We are proud to celebrate individuals who are not only advancing the science but also ensuring that pharmacogenomics becomes a central part of health care for everyone.”