Jay L. Vivian PhD is a Research Associate Professor and Scientific Director of the Transgenic and Gene Targeting Facility at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and the Director of the Rare Disease Research Center at the Children’s Research Institute of Children’s Mercy Kansas City. His research focuses on understanding rare and undiagnosed pediatric diseases and novel variants identified in patient genome sequencing data, using genetically modified mice and pluripotent stem cells. These efforts make extensive use of genome editing methods. A native of Illinois, he obtained his BS from the University of Illinois and his PhD in developmental genetics at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of multiple rare disease foundations, including RareKC and the Mowat-Wilson Syndrome Foundation.