SUMMARY
Victor E. Ortega, M.D., Ph.D., researches how DNA variants in the human genome affect people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He studies why some of these individuals with asthma and COPD are at a higher risk of severe disease or have poor results from asthma and COPD medicines.
Dr. Ortega's genomic research supports ancestral diversity and the addition of underrepresented minorities who have an unequal problem of breathing disease. This genomic research results in new genetic discoveries reported in high-impact journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, and The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health. Dr. Ortega's large research portfolio spans genomic studies he led and continues to lead across many National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded networks focused on asthma and COPD.
Focus areas
- Dr. Ortega studies rare genetic variants. The studies look for genetic factors for drug response in asthma. His research includes landmark work done on rare variants encoding the receptor target of inhaled bronchodilator therapy, the beta-2-adrenergic receptor gene. Dr. Ortega finds the genetic determinants of respiratory disease risk and severity in asthma, COPD, emphysema and interstitial lung disease. He looks for the analysis of genetic risk scores and the order of mendelian genes.
- Dr. Ortega scans whole-genome genotyping and sequencing data to discover common and rare genetic variants. These rare genetic variants alone and together, in genetic risk scores, decide drug responses in asthma. Dr. Ortega researches landmark whole-genome studies in underrepresented minorities to discover new, ancestry-specific pharmacogenetic variants.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Ortega studies rare variants within the beta-2-adrenergic receptor gene. He was the first to find major rare variant pharmacogenetics effects in asthma for infrequent, poor responses to commonly used long-acting beta agonists in different ethnic groups. His following work focuses on identifying determinants of inhaled asthma drug response in underrepresented minorities.
Dr. Ortega's trial was the first to discover and confirm gene variants that affect response to asthma controller drugs in individuals of African descent. His work makes sure that the promise of genomics research is extended to all, including minority groups.
Professional highlights
- American Thoracic Society (ATS):
- Appointed member, Assembly on Allergy, Immunology, and Inflammation Program Committee, 2023-present.
- Appointed member, Genetics and Genomics Program Committee, 2022-present.
- Appointed member, Digital Content Committee, 2022-2023.
- Appointed member, Health Equity and Diversity Committee, 2021-2023.
- Workshop contributor and speaker, genetics, ancestry, and distinction from race, workshop on race-ethnicity in pulmonary function testing, 2020-2023.
- Co-chair, Section on Genetics and Genomics, 2019-2021.
- Program co-chair, ATS International Conference Clinical Year in Review, 2017-2019.
- Workshop speaker, "Pharmacogenetics," addressing respiratory health equality in the United States, 2015-2017.
- Member, Assembly on Respiratory Structure and Function Program Committee, 2009-2013.
- Associate director, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 2023-present.
- Associate editor, JAMA, 2023-present.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:
- Standing member, study section: Mentored Transition to Independence Review Committee, 2020-present.
- Convener, Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine Whole Genome Sequencing Program Asthma Working Group, 2019-present.
- Asthma section editor, CHEST Pulmonary, 2022-2023.
- Associate editor, Chest, 2020-2023.
- Associate editor, Respiratory Research, 2020-2023.
- Asthma section editor, Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 2015-2023.