Jacob Kitzman, PhD

Jacob Kitzman headshot
Associate Professor of Human Genetics
Associate Chair, Department of Human Genetics
Associate Professor of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics
Medical School
[email protected]
Available to mentor
Jacob Kitzman, PhD
Jacob Kitzman headshot
Associate Professor
  • Qualifications
  • Center Memberships
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications
  • Manage Your Profile

  • Qualifications

    • PhD, Genome Sciences
      University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
      2008 - 2014
    • MSE, Computer Science
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
      2004 - 2006
    • BS, Computer Science
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
      2000 - 2004

    Center Memberships

    • Center Member
      AI and Digital Health Innovation
    • Center Member
      Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center

    Research Overview

    My laboratory develops genome editing and sequencing technologies to enable functional studies of genomic variation at a scope and resolution not previously possible. We apply these approaches across a range of clinically relevant human disease genes, with emphasis on:
    - DNA repair factors involved in inherited and sporadic cancer risk
    - mRNA splicing and its contributions to Mendelian disease

    Recent Publications

    See All Publications
    • Journal Article
      Peroxisome-derived ether lipids regulate lysosomal exocytosis.
      Chen L, Henn D, Dong Z, Liang J, Wielenga A, Vale G, Burugula B, Zou J, Krishnan Y, McDonald JG, Kitzman J, Li M. EMBO J, 2026 May 2; DOI:10.1038/s44318-026-00791-3
      PMID: 42069866
    • Journal Article
      Using a modular massively parallel reporter assay to discover context-dependent regulatory activity in type 2 diabetes-linked noncoding regions
      Tovar A, Kyono Y, Nishino K, Bose M, Varshney A, Parker SCJ, Kitzman JO. Human Genetics and Genomics Advances, 2026 Apr 7; 100606 - 100606. DOI:10.1016/j.xhgg.2026.100606
    • Journal Article
      Metformin does not significantly alter longitudinal dynamics of clonal hematopoiesis.
      Pareek E, Pershad Y, Zhao K, Uddin MM, Xue L, Vlasschaert C, Mack TM, Haessler J, Collins JM, Glick E, Glaser V, Heise R, Ling W, Haring B, Shadyab A, Beydoun H, Wallace R, Jaiswal S, Manson JE, Natarajan P, Honigberg MC, Kooperberg C, Whitsel EA, Kitzman JO, Bick AG, Reiner AR, Desai P. Clin Cancer Res, 2026 Jan 28; DOI:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-25-3606
      PMID: 41603726
    • Journal Article
      Lipid Metabolism Transcriptomic Signature of Defective Erythropoiesis in Diamond Blackfan Anemia syndrome.
      Deng K, Wang Y, Min JC, Liu X, Ueharu H, Myers G, Yu L, Hammoud SB, Adam A, Saba R, Natogi V, Drysdale C, Chen B, Yee JL, Kitzman J, Lyssiotis CA, Mishina Y, Jones MA, Kaartinen V, Guan Y, Khoriaty R, Engel JD, Singh SA. Blood Adv, 2026 Jan 23; DOI:10.1182/bloodadvances.2025017318
      PMID: 41576344
    • Journal Article
      High-throughput mapping of 6,888 RAD51D variants identifies distinct biochemical functions needed for homologous recombination and olaparib response.
      Darrah KE, Hemker SL, Rawal Y, Goff NJ, Parker P, Ganesan G, Stratton CM, Oppenheimer K, Roberts E, Glick E, Banks N, Kumar A, Casadei S, Snyder MW, Nathanson K, Domchek SM, Starita LM, Olsen SK, Sung P, Kitzman JO, Bernstein KA. bioRxiv, 2026 Jan 11; DOI:10.64898/2026.01.11.698865
      PMID: PMC12803133
    • Journal Article
      Clonal Hematopoiesis and Cardiovascular Outcomes in the Elderly
      Ezzat D, Uddin MM, Xue L, Pershad Y, Pandey U, Kitzman JO, Jaiswal S, Desai P, Kooperberg C, Whitsel EA, Manson JE, Bick AG, Natarajan P, Reiner AP, Honigberg MC. European Heart Journal, 2026 Feb 7; 46 (Supplement_1): DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.3537
    • Journal Article
      Clonal Hematopoiesis and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Older Women
      Ezzat D, Uddin MM, Xue L, Pershad Y, Zhang S, Collins JM, Kitzman JO, Jaiswal S, Desai P, Kooperberg C, Bick AG, Natarajan P, Manson JAE, Whitsel EA, Reiner AP, Honigberg MC. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2025 Oct 14; 86 (15): 1093 - 1106. DOI:10.1016/j.jacc.2025.07.058
      PMID: 40864016
    • Preprint
      Massively parallel reporter assay reveals promoter-, position-, and strand-specific effects in transcription start sites.
      Bose M, Tovar A, Kyono Y, Varshney A, Kitzman JO, Parker SCJ. 2025 Oct 14; DOI:10.1101/2025.10.13.659964
      PMID: 41279449

    Featured News & Stories

    Department News

    Highlighted Publications - July 2025

    Department of Human Genetics faculty are involved in widely diverse areas of research, from Genome Structure and Function research to Evolutionary and Population Genetics.
    close up of genetic coding in dish colorful blue lab gloves
    Health Lab

    Study identifies function behind mysterious variants for gene linked to colon cancer

    Michigan Medicine researchers identify the function behind mysterious variants for a gene linked to colon cancer.
    Department News

    Highlighted Publications - April 2025

    Department of Human Genetics faculty are involved in widely diverse areas of research, from Genome Structure and Function research to Evolutionary and Population Genetics.
    Department News

    Highlighted Publications - January 2025

    Department of Human Genetics faculty are involved in widely diverse areas of research, from Genome Structure and Function research to Evolutionary and Population Genetics.
    Photo portrait of Adelaide Tovar, PhD
    Department News

    Adelaide Tovar, Ph.D., received a MOSAIC K99/R00 Award from the NIH/NHGRI

    Adelaide Tovar, Ph.D., was awarded an NIH Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) K99/R00, a specialized career transition program intended for postdocs who are from underrepresented backgrounds and/or have demonstrated a commitment to increasing inclusivity and equity in the scientific workforce.
    Department News

    Highlighted Publications - July 2024

    Department of Human Genetics faculty are involved in widely diverse areas of research, from Genome Structure and Function research to Evolutionary and Population Genetics.