Genetics & Metabolism and Pharmacogenomics Research Programs

Kat Adriatico
Kat Adriatico came to Minnesota from Illinois to attend the University of Minnesota. She worked in labs studying Type I Diabetes and pancreatic stem cell regeneration and gained a strong background in developmental biology. She graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development and transitioned from pre-clinical research in a laboratory to clinical research with the Genetics department at Children’s Minnesota. When not at work, Kat enjoys baking new desserts, spending time outside, and hanging out with her pet cat, Tofu.

Vikas Bhambhani, MD
Vikas Bhambhani is a clinical and biochemical geneticist and the Research Director of the Genetics and Genomics program at Children’s MN. He completed his medical education at Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India, and his pediatrics residency at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York. He then went on to complete his fellowship in Medical Biochemical Genetics and Clinical Genetics with the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. His primary clinical interests include mitochondrial disorders, leukodystrophy, refractory epilepsy, and neurotransmitter deficiencies.

David Gregornik, PharmD
David Gregornik, PharmD, is the Pharmacogenomics Program Director at Children’s Minnesota. Dr. Gregornik attended the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and his PharmD. In 1995 he completed a specialty residency in Pediatric Pharmacotherapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis TN. For 18 years, Dr. Gregornik was part of the St. Jude Pharmaceutical Department, where he worked to implement a clinical pharmacogenomics program, one of the first in the United States. From 2009-2013 David moved to Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he served as Manager of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacy Programs. In 2016, Dr. Gregornik joined Children’s Minnesota, where he has led a team to establish the Clinical Pharmacogenomics service and Specialty Clinic. Dr. Gregornik’s research interests include implementation of pharmacogenomics and expanding the evidence for clinical use of pharmacogenomic testing in children and adolescents. In his spare time, David enjoys working in his yard and vegetable garden and riding his bicycle to work as much as possible.

Tori Johnson, BA
Born and raised in Illinois, Tori Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Knox College, where she engaged in laboratory research and completed an award-winning research project in biochemistry. After graduation, she relocated to Minneapolis, where she worked as a medical scribe. Her experience in research and patient care prepared her for her transition to clinical research at Children’s Minnesota, where she is part of the Genetics research team. Outside of work, Tori enjoys exercising, reading, and looking for new restaurants and recipes to try.

Rachel Leftwich, BA
Born and raised in rural Illinois, Rachel Leftwich received a BA in Sociology from Eastern Illinois University in 2006. Shortly after graduation, she started her research career at the University of Minnesota, working in cardiovascular studies. She has been with Children’s Minnesota since 2019, loves the mission of kids first, and loves helping kiddos and their families navigate clinical trials. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys and their silly kitties. She also enjoys Pilates, trying new wineries, and Bruce Springsteen!

Marcelo P. Vargas, MD
Marcelo P. Vargas, is a clinical and biochemical geneticist and the Medical Director of Genetics and Genomics at Children’s MN. He completed his medical education at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ and his pediatrics residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, PA. He then returned to Rutgers New Jersey Medical School for his clinical genetics fellowship. He also finished a clinical biochemical genetics fellowship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. His primary clinical interests include the genetics of autism spectrum disorders, application of novel genetic technologies to clinical practice, and expansion of clinical genetic services in pediatric medicine.