Plenary agenda (29 to 30 September)

The genomics and health community will hear from a global set of speakers on genomic and health data sharing topics and progress from local, national, and global initiatives. Explore the Plenary agenda below.

8:00 AM - 8:55 AM
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
  • Welcome address (5min): Patrick Tan, PRECISE, Singapore
  • Opening address (5 min): Heidi Rehm, GA4GH / Mass General Brigham, USA
  • Guest of Honor address (10 min): Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health
  • Signing ceremony (20 min): GA4GH, Genomics Australia, PRECISE
  • Presentation by PRECISE (20 min): Shih Wee Seow, PRECISE, Singapore
  • GA4GH Key updates (20 min): Angela Page, GA4GH
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM

Andrew Darmawan and Tiffany Wijaya share their family’s experience following their daughter Ann’s diagnosis with Coffin-Siris syndrome as a newborn. They reflect on how genetic testing provided clarity, helped guide their family’s journey, and shaped how they understand and support Ann as she grows.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

This session explores how the field is evolving from an ideal of open access to one of trusted, responsible, and interoperable access, and what that shift means for global collaboration. The aim is a constructive conversation about the future of genomic data sharing that acknowledges evolving governance realities while reaffirming the shared commitment to working across borders.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Sponsor Talks will begin at 12:50pm.

12:50 PM - 13:15 PM • Grand Ballroom
“Accelerating Genomic Discovery at Population Scale — Cloud, AI and the Ecosystem Powering Precision Medicine” by Dr. Ankit Malhotra (Amazon Web Services)

12:50 PM - 13:15 PM • Read & Spottiswoode
“Nanopore Sequencing for Global Genomics and Clinical Translation” 
by Dr. Lakmal Jayasinghe (Oxford Nanopore Technologies)

13:15 PM - 13:40 PM • Grand Ballroom
“CfA Analytics Initiatives Cohort 4 Information Session”
by Dr. Francis Jeansen (Ontario Brain Institute)

13:15 PM - 13:40 PM • Read & Spottiswoode
“Enhanced Genomic Solutions for Precision Health”
by Dr. Steven Henck (Integrated DNA Technologies)

“Decoding Aging Biology Through Integrated Clonal Hematopoiesis Profiling”
by Dr. Vikrant Kumar (Mirxes)

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

AI tools are rapidly entering genomic interpretation and clinical decision support, yet questions remain about reliability, bias, explainability, and regulatory oversight. This session explores what is required for AI systems to be trusted in clinical care and how structured standards strengthen benchmarking, transparency, and accountability.

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Genomic medicine has moved beyond early sequencing projects, yet health systems continue to question cost, clinical utility, and long-term sustainability. This session will examine when genomics measurably improves patient outcomes, what evidence persuades payers and policymakers, what metrics should define success, and how interoperable standards support these efforts.

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
9:10 AM - 9:20 AM
Serene Poh shares her family’s decade-long journey to finding a diagnosis for her son, Jayden, who was ultimately diagnosed with PURA syndrome through genomic testing. She reflects on how that diagnosis brought clarity, connection to a global community, and a new perspective on their family’s journey.
9:20 AM - 9:45 AM
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

This session will explore how genomics can be systematically integrated into routine healthcare to improve patient outcomes and support more personalised care. Discussions will examine the workforce transformation needed to embed genomic medicine across health systems, including upskilling primary care providers and equipping multidisciplinary teams with the knowledge and tools to use genomic information effectively. The session will also highlight the digital infrastructure required to support implementation, with a focus on integrating genomics into electronic health records and embedding clinical decision support into everyday workflows. Drawing on real-world implementation experience, speakers will share practical lessons and explore how technology is helping make genomic medicine a sustainable and scalable part of clinical care.

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Genomic newborn screening is at a pivotal moment as healthcare systems transition from research and pilot programmes to clinical implementation. This session will explore the opportunities and challenges of integrating genomic sequencing into newborn screening, including decisions about which conditions to screen, how to manage uncertain or incidental findings, and the responsibilities for long-term follow-up and care. Drawing on experiences from programmes at different stages of implementation, speakers will share practical lessons and discuss how international collaboration and emerging standards can support equitable, effective, and sustainable genomic newborn screening across diverse health systems.

12:45 PM - 2:15 PM

13:05 PM - 13:30 PM • Grand Ballroom
“Gene Level Variant Harmonization as the Foundation for Standardized Genomic Screening”
Dr. Theo Heyns (Illumina)

13:05 PM - 13:30 PM • Read & Spottiswoode
“Partnering with Genome Canada on the Canadian Precision Health Initiative” 
by Dr. Étienne Richer, Genome Canada

13:30 PM - 13:55 PM • Read & Spottiswoode
“Powering Population Genomics and Clinical Sequencing at Scale: a Lucence, Qiagen, and Ultima Partnership to Support Genomics in Singapore” 
by Dr. Min-Han Tan (Lucence), Mr. Meng Earn Lim (Qiagen), and Dr. Francisco De La Vega (Ultima Genomics)

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Population genomic screening is transitioning from pilot studies to national policy discussions. This session draws on real-world policy experience from early-adopter health systems to examine the regulatory frameworks, reimbursement models, and ethical guardrails that will determine whether that transition happens equitably and sustainably.

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM

This closing talk show takes a deliberately aspirational tone, asking what must change in technologies, care models, and health systems over the next decade in order for genomic medicine to fulfill its promise, and where international collaboration and standards can proactively guide responsible innovation. Hosted by freelance science journalist Sandy Ong, the aim is a free-ranging conversation among people who have thought seriously about where the field is headed.

5:00 PM - 5:05 PM
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Explore posters showcasing community work across genomic data sharing, standards implementation, and emerging initiatives, while connecting with presenters and fellow attendees over refreshments.

Time Zone: (UTC+08:00) Singapore [Change Time Zone]