ROCKVILLE, MD – The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), the preeminent global organization for geneticists and genomic researchers, has officially announced the appointment of Dr. Charles Lee, PhD, DSc, FACMG, FRSC, as the incoming Editor-in-Chief of its flagship open-access journal, Human Genetics and Genomics Advances (HGG Advances).
The appointment, announced on June 3, marks a significant transition for the publication. Dr. Lee, a visionary in the field of structural variation and genomic medicine, is set to begin his five-year term on January 1, 2027. His selection follows a rigorous vetting process conducted by an ASHG Search Task Force, which sought a leader capable of sustaining the rapid growth and scientific impact of the journal since its inception in 2020.
The Mandate: Advancing Open-Access Genomic Science
HGG Advances serves as a critical pillar in the ASHG publication portfolio, operating alongside the esteemed American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG). While AJHG remains a cornerstone for high-impact, foundational research, HGG Advances was established to provide an agile, fully open-access platform for the rapid dissemination of discovery, methodologies, and translational research.
Dr. Lee’s tenure will focus on maintaining this momentum. In his official statement, Dr. Lee emphasized the necessity of accessibility in modern scientific discourse. "The journal plays a vital role in advancing innovative, high-quality science and ensuring that new discoveries in human genetics and genomics are accessible to the global community," Dr. Lee stated. "I look forward to partnering with authors, reviewers, and the editorial team to publish the best work being done across the field."
The appointment represents more than a routine change in leadership; it signals a strategic move to align the journal with the next generation of genomic medicine, where clinical application and technological precision are paramount.
A Chronology of Genomic Leadership
To understand the weight of Dr. Lee’s appointment, one must look at the trajectory of both the publication and the incoming editor.
- May 2020: ASHG launches HGG Advances as a fully open-access response to the shifting landscape of scientific publishing, aiming to provide a high-quality home for diverse research outputs.
- 2020–2026: Under the inaugural leadership of Dr. Michael Bamshad, the journal establishes a reputation for rigorous peer review and becomes a go-to venue for rapid-response genomic science.
- Early 2026: ASHG convenes a Search Task Force, led by Dr. Chris Gunter, to identify a successor who possesses both the scientific gravitas and the editorial experience to shepherd the journal into its second half-decade.
- June 2026: Formal announcement of Dr. Charles Lee as the incoming Editor-in-Chief.
- End of June 2026: Dr. Lee transitions to his new role at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, while simultaneously preparing for his January 2027 start date at HGG Advances.
- January 1, 2027: Official commencement of Dr. Lee’s five-year term as Editor-in-Chief.
The Academic and Scientific Profile of Dr. Charles Lee
Dr. Lee’s appointment is widely viewed as a "best-in-class" selection due to his extensive background in both discovery science and institutional leadership. His career is defined by a commitment to uncovering the "hidden" architecture of the human genome.
Pioneering Structural Variation
Dr. Lee is internationally recognized for his seminal work on genome-wide copy-number variants (CNVs). His research fundamentally altered the scientific understanding of the human genome, moving the field beyond simple single-nucleotide polymorphisms to a more nuanced appreciation of how large-scale structural changes influence biology, evolution, and disease susceptibility.
Bridging the Gap: From Bench to Bedside
Currently serving as the Robert Alvine Family Endowed Chair and a Professor at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Dr. Lee has been instrumental in building the laboratory into a world-class facility for genomic medicine. His upcoming transition to the University of Connecticut School of Medicine—where he will serve as Associate Dean of Translational Genomics and Professor of Genetics and Genome Science—underscores his dedication to the "translational" aspect of his work.
Dr. Lee’s research currently focuses on the most complex, "hard-to-see" regions of the genome. By applying cutting-edge methodologies, he continues to push the boundaries of how we interpret genetic data to improve patient care, a philosophy he intends to bring to the editorial desk of HGG Advances.
Official Perspectives and Organizational Vision
The ASHG leadership has expressed high confidence in the transition. The Search Task Force, chaired by Dr. Chris Gunter, prioritized candidates who could demonstrate a balance of "scientific excellence and editorial experience."
ASHG President Dr. Susan A. Slaugenhaupt praised the outgoing leadership while looking toward the future. "Dr. Lee brings an outstanding record of scientific leadership, volunteer commitment, and editorial experience to this role," Dr. Slaugenhaupt said. "We are excited to welcome him as Editor-in-Chief and look forward to seeing him build on the strong foundation that Dr. Bamshad has established."
The outgoing Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Michael Bamshad, is credited with successfully navigating the difficult "start-up" phase of a new scientific journal. By establishing a culture of rigorous, rapid, and open-access publishing, he has left a legacy that serves as the blueprint for the journal’s future operations.
Implications for the Field of Genomics
The appointment of an editor with Dr. Lee’s profile carries several implications for the future of genomic publishing and research:
1. Strengthening Translational Research
With Dr. Lee’s deep involvement in clinical genomics and his forthcoming role as Associate Dean of Translational Genomics, it is likely that HGG Advances will see an increased emphasis on studies that bridge the gap between basic genomic discovery and actionable clinical practice. This aligns with the broader goals of the global genetics community to move toward precision medicine.
2. Globalizing Genomic Science
The open-access nature of the journal, combined with Dr. Lee’s extensive international collaborations and his fellowships with the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) and the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), suggests that HGG Advances will continue to prioritize a diverse, global perspective. The ability to access high-quality research without paywalls is particularly vital for researchers in developing nations and for early-career scientists who rely on open information to advance their own work.
3. Focus on "Hard-to-See" Genomics
As technology evolves, our ability to sequence the "dark matter" of the genome—those repetitive, highly variable, and structurally complex regions—is increasing. Given Dr. Lee’s personal research focus, HGG Advances is positioned to become the premier venue for groundbreaking papers regarding these complex genomic regions, which are increasingly implicated in rare diseases and complex phenotypes.
About the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
The ASHG represents a global network of nearly 8,000 professionals, including clinicians, genetic counselors, researchers, and educators. As the central organization for the field, the Society plays a dual role: it is both a curator of scientific knowledge and a guardian of ethical practice in genetics.
Through its annual meetings and its two flagship journals, the Society fosters an environment where innovation is scrutinized, validated, and disseminated. By championing responsible policies and public engagement, ASHG ensures that as our knowledge of the human genome grows, so does our capacity to treat disease and understand the fundamental nature of humanity.
For those looking to engage with the Society or track the upcoming transition at HGG Advances, information is available via their official website at www.ashg.org. The Society maintains a robust digital presence, encouraging ongoing dialogue through their official channels on X (formerly Twitter), BlueSky, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Conclusion
As Dr. Charles Lee prepares to take the helm of HGG Advances in January 2027, the genomic community anticipates a period of stability and growth. The transition from Dr. Bamshad’s foundational leadership to Dr. Lee’s translational focus represents the natural maturation of a journal that has already proven its worth in the competitive landscape of scientific publishing. With a clear commitment to rigor, accessibility, and the advancement of complex genomic science, the future of the journal—and the field at large—remains in capable hands.
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