Four faculty members in the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at the Indiana University School of Medicine received promotions in June. The department welcomed new associate professor Francesco Vetrini, PhD and two new clinical professors, Gabrielle C. Geddes, MD, and Marwan Tayeh, PhD, along with the new associate dean for MD admissions and student financial services, Stephanie Sharpe, MD. Sharpe was also named the Frank C. & Ruby L. Moore and George T. Lukemeyer Endowed Scholar.
Francesco Vetrini
Vetrini is an American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics board-certified clinical molecular geneticist and associate professor in the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics. He serves as associate director of the Diagnostic Genomics Laboratory and co-director of the Undiagnosed Rare Disease Clinic Program.
Working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, Vetrini has been instrumental in establishing IU School of Medicine's first clinical rapid whole genome sequencing program, expanding access to ultra-rapid genomic diagnosis for critically ill infants and children across the state. He said he plans to continue expanding the department's clinical and translational genomics efforts, particularly in undiagnosed and rare diseases, and ushering in the next generation of genetic experts.
“My goal is to help develop a more integrated model of genomic medicine, one that not only identifies clinically relevant genetic variants but also helps clarify their biological impact, supports clinical management, and advances discoveries for patients and families,” he said. “I also look forward to continuing to mentor students, fellows, postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty, and to supporting educational initiatives that help train the next generation of clinical genomics scientists and physician-scientists.”
Vetrini joined the department in 2018 as a fellow in the ABMGG Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Fellowship program. For him, the recent promotion serves as a reminder as of why he first began his work in genetics.
“It is a privilege to work with such dedicated, passionate and inspiring colleagues and to contribute to efforts that bring together clinical genomics, rare disease diagnostics, research, education and patient-centered care,” he said. “Most importantly, this promotion reminds me why I chose this field: to help families search for answers, to translate genomic discoveries into meaningful clinical care, and to help build programs that connect patients, clinicians, laboratories, and researchers.”
Gabrielle Geddes
Geddes is a medical geneticist, pediatrician, and clinical informatician that specializes in cardiovascular genetics. She joined the department in 2019.
She says a promotion like this forces you to reflect deeply on your career milestones.
“I am excited for this promotion to professor, as it is a formal milestone that the work I do is of a certain level of quality and impact,” she said. “Having your career reviewed in such a rigorous way across so many groups is a time of forced reflection on what you have been able to accomplish and what is still left to do.”
Geddes is looking forward to improving patient care and making sure it’s accessible to those who critically need it.
“I look forward to integrating my clinical informatics training into ways to improve care and access for patients with genetic disorders and improve standardized care for children with critical congenital heart disease and heterotaxy.”
Marwan Tayeh
Tayeh is director of the IU Diagnostic Genomics Laboratory (DGL) and clinical professor in the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at the IU School of Medicine. Tayeh also established the IU Diagnostic Genomics Laboratory at Indiana University’s Genetic Testing Laboratory (IUGTL) to offer rapid genome sequencing as a clinical test for critically ill patients. He says his promotion to clinical professor reflects the collaborative environment fostered by the entire Medical and Molecular Genetics department.
“This promotion represents recognition of my contributions to clinical service, education, mentorship and academic leadership within the department and institution. I am deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues, mentors, trainees, and the broader IU community,” he said. “I view this promotion not only as a personal achievement, but also as a reflection of the collaborative environment that has supported my growth and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to our shared missions in clinical care, education and genomic medicine.”
Tayeh wants to continue pushing the department’s collaborative environment forward through high-quality laboratory medicine, education, patient care and national service.
“I remain committed to supporting the growth of IU’s clinical genomics laboratory, mentoring the next generation of genetics professionals, and helping integrate emerging genomic technologies into patient care in a thoughtful and responsible way,” he said. “I also look forward to representing IU through professional service, collaboration, and outreach, while contributing to the department’s mission in clinical care, education and innovation.”
Stephanie Sharpe
In January of 2026, Sharpe was named the associate dean for MD Admissions, having previously served as the assistant dean for MD Admissions and Student Financial Services. Sharpe is an assistant professor of medical and molecular genetics and is the Frank C. & Ruby L. Moore and George Lukemeyer Endowed Scholar and chair of the Admissions Committee. She is passionate about recruiting and training the next generation of physicians.
“Healthcare is changing at an incredibly rapid rate with the integration of AI and mid-level providers, therefore it’s more important than ever to train future physicians to develop critical thinking skills that integrate the ability to use technology to improve care while maintaining the communication skills, compassion & empathy so necessary in the therapeutic physician-patient relationship,” she said. “I’m honored to lead the admissions and financial wellness teams that are dedicated to identifying and helping develop compassionate professionals who are committed to improving health in Indiana and beyond.”
While Sharpe will remain committed to teaching, curriculum development and educational policy, she is excited to lead IU School of Medicine’s financial wellness initiative.
“With the transition of student financial aid being centrally managed by Indiana University, I will oversee IU School of Medicine’s newly developed Office of Scholarship Administration and Financial Wellness. In addition to using scholarships to recruit and support students financially, the office will facilitate programs to ensure students have an understanding of other important financial considerations such as debt management, protecting themselves and their families with appropriate insurance coverage, managing mortgages, and retirement savings considerations,” Sharpe said. “Maintaining personal financial health is an important component for future physicians’ overall well-being and ability to contribute to the health of their communities.”
Stephanie Ware, MD, PhD, chair of the Medical and Molecular Genetics department, said these faculty members exemplify the department's dedication in bringing cutting-edge care directly to patients.
“I congratulate Drs. Geddes, Sharpe, Tayeh and Vetrini on their career milestones and am deeply appreciative of their contributions to Medical and Molecular Genetics and the institution,” Ware said. “By happenstance, all of our faculty promotions this year were on the clinical track. Their achievements make it clear how much our department, a research powerhouse, has grown in our patient care impact over the last decade, whether in direct patient care such as Dr. Geddes provides, or in clinical diagnostics that provide answers to families, such as Drs. Tayeh and Vetrini provide. On that same note, we are very proud of the educational leadership and achievements of Dr. Sharpe and the constant improvements she is bringing to medical education so that we can train the best leaders for the future.”
