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Michele Spencer-Manzon, MD

Associate Professor of Genetics and of Pediatrics; Associate Chief of Clinical Genetics Operations
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Additional Titles

Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program

About

Titles

Associate Professor of Genetics and of Pediatrics; Associate Chief of Clinical Genetics Operations

Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellowship
Duke University Hospital (2012)
Residency
Duke University Hospital (2011)
Residency
Duke University Hospital (2007)
MD
University of Massachusetts (2004)

Research

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Michele Spencer-Manzon's published research.

Publications

2024

2022

2021

2020

Clinical Trials

Current Trials

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • honor

    Student Travel Award

  • honor

    Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Citation

  • honor

    Alpha Omega Alpha

  • honor

    Who’s Who Among American College and University Students

Clinical Care

Overview

Michele Spencer-Manzon, MD, is a clinical geneticist who specializes in treating people of all ages, infancy through adulthood, who have inherited cardiovascular diseases and other genetic disorders. She spends a lot of time studying and treating newborn babies whose bodies are unable to process food into energy on a cell level—a condition called “inborn errors of metabolism.” Specifically, Dr. Spencer-Manzon is a board-certified biochemical geneticist, a rare sub-specialty within the field.

Explains Dr. Spencer-Manzon: “The kind of work we [clinical geneticists] do is some of the hardest in the hospital. That’s because we share information with patients and parents about genetic results, but we can’t fix genes yet.” She says that each patient and family is unique in how they receive genetic testing results; some are relieved to get information, while others find it very difficult. “In conversations with patients, I encourage them to share their feelings if they want to. I give them my cell phone and offer to answer any follow-up questions they might have,” Dr. Spencer-Manzon says.

As a clinical geneticist for the Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program, Dr. Spencer-Manzon works with a team of specialists to determine possible genetic causes for babies born with rare diseases. The ability to detect a genetic disorder in a newborn or infant is “the most rewarding part of my job,” she says. A recent memorable and moving example is that she was able to diagnose a three-day-old infant with citrullinemia, a recessive urea cycle disorder. Dr. Spencer-Manzon was then able to help this tiny boy’s care team arrange for a life-saving liver transplant.

Dr. Spencer-Manzon is also an assistant professor of genetics and pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine.

Clinical Specialties

Internal Medicine; Genetics; Pediatrics; Clinical Genetics

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Clinical Genetics and Genomics

    Certification Organization
    AB of Medical Genetics and Genomics
    Original Certification Date
    2024
  • Medical Biochemical Genetics

    Certification Organization
    AB of Medical Genetics
    Original Certification Date
    2013

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