Warren Sanger, PhD
Warren G. Sanger, PhD, FFACMG, was the director of the MMI Human Genetics Laboratory from 1979 to 2015. Sanger was a founding Fellow of the American Board of Medical Genetics, dually boarded in Clinical Cytogenetics and PhD Medical Genetics by the American College of Medical Genetics and the American Medical Association, as well as full professor at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, the UNMC Department of Pediatrics and the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology.
In addition to directing the laboratory of nearly 70 employees, Sanger served on countless boards and committees, including the Children’s Oncology Group (Lymphoma Cytogenetics Chair), Lymphoma Study Group and the Medical Science Interdepartmental Area Graduate Committee. For many years, he also was the director of the MMI Department of Genetic Medicine, overseeing the clinical staff, which included six geneticists and nine genetic counselors. Before many laboratories chose to do so, Sanger employed genetic counselors as liaisons to fill the expanding needs that intertwine health care providers, laboratory staff and the families MMI works to assist.
Sanger cutting chromosomes and arranging a karyotype, circa 1975.
During his career at MMI, Sanger served as a cytogenetics advisor for several professional organizations within the United States and reviewed manuscripts for many journals. He authored or co-authored nearly 300 publications and book chapters and more than 400 published abstracts and posters. His commitment to education was evident through the sizeable number of graduate students he advised (27), in addition to serving on the master or doctoral committees of more than 100 other students. Under his leadership, five fellows received their degrees in Clinical Cytogenetics.
Annually, Sanger taught three graduate courses and welcomed OB/GYN, pathology and pediatric residents to the laboratory for monthly human cytogenetics rotations. He was routinely an invited lecturer for graduate courses in pharmacology, neurology, anatomy, biochemistry, pathology and various other courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Credited with more than 100 presentations, he was known to travel within Nebraska, across the nation and around the globe to provide genetic education.
Memorial Fund
A gift to the Warren G. Sanger, PhD Memorial Fund not only celebrates Sanger's visionary leadership and lifetime of exceptional achievements. By supporting genetics counseling and research at UNMC's Munroe-Meyer Institute, your generous donation will carry on Sanger's lifelong mission of transforming the lives of MMI's clients and their families. Donors will receive a tax receipt and the Sanger family will receive a note that a gift was made in his honor.
Online Donations
- Warren G. Sanger, PhD Memorial Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation.
Mailed Donations
- Check payable to: University of Nebraska Foundation.
- Check memo and/or accompanying cover should direct the gift to: Warren G. Sanger, PhD Memorial Fund #01134190.
- Mail to: University of Nebraska Foundation; 2285 S 67th St, STE 200; Omaha, NE 68106.
Warren G. Sanger Conference Center
Located on the first floor of MMI, this conference room can be reserved for events hosted by organizations with missions and visions that align with the Munroe-Meyer Institute.
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Transform Lives at MMI
Private support from patients, families and friends plays a critical role in our success. There are several funds at MMI that help us transform lives and make a difference for the individuals in our community.