We Screen Newborns Don’t We? Progress in DNA-based Population Screening

Thursday, May 18 | 10 – 11 a.m. ET | Online

Rapid advances and decreasing costs of human genome sequencing technologies are accelerating the integration of genomics into clinical practice. Although genomic sequencing has demonstrated utility as an indication-based diagnostic tool for certain diseases, the full potential of DNA sequencing for population-level screening is yet to be realized. DNA-based population screening has enormous potential to identify people with underlying genetic predisposition to serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease, who represent 1–2% of the population. Early detection, disease prevention, and timely treatment can improve health outcomes and equity, and usher in a new era of precision public health.

Learn more and register for this webinar on the CDC Genomics and Precision Health website.

Speakers:

Jonathan S. Berg, MD, PhD
Bryson Distinguished Professor, Genetics and Medicine
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Laura Milko, PhD
Assistant Professor, Genetics
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Understanding genetic variants: from technology development to the clinic

Thursday, February 23 | 2-3 p.m. ET | Bethesda, MD & Online

The Division of Intramural Research (DIR) sponsors a monthly series of talks by intramural and special guest speakers celebrating genetics and genomics research. Speakers are selected by NHGRI intramural faculty and trainees and cover research topics of interest to a wide audience.

“Understanding genetic variants: from technology development to the clinic” will be delivered by guest speaker:

Douglas M. Fowler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Genome Sciences
University of Washington

 

 

Registration is required to attend the Zoom meeting. Learn more about this event and others in the series on the NHGRI website.

Historically Speaking: Next Generation of Black Leaders in Genetic Science

Thursday, February 23 | 7-8 p.m. ET | Washington, DC

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) presents the third in a series of four discussions organized in collaboration with the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). During this program panelists will explore the work of African American millennial scientists conducting groundbreaking research. Chris Williams, STEM Education Specialist at NMAAHC, will lead a conversation with scholars Tina Lasisi, Carter Clinton, and Jameson Floyd.

This event is free to attend and registration is required. Visit the NMAAHC website to learn more and register.

Race, Society, and Genetics Virtual Seminar

Monday, October 31 | 12-1 pm ET | Virtual

Virtual seminar: Race, Society, and Genetics

Speaker: Marwa Elnagheeb, MPH, Senior Coordinator, Clinical Genome Resource, UNC Chapel Hill

Seminar abstract: Interactions between race, society, and genetics have played a major role in health disparities and inequities across the world. This presentation examines the history and definition of race, sources of human genetic variation, the lack of a biological basis for race, and career paths in genetics.

About the speaker: Marwa Elnagheeb graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Biology and a Master’s in Public Health. While at UNC, Marwa’s research has focused on three areas: (1) the impact of genetic variation and epigenetics on differential responses to adverse perinatal exposures, (2) the effects of maternal host nutrient status on infectious disease development, and (3) the role of socioeconomic factors in maternal and child health disparities. Marwa is a member of the Berg Lab at UNC and works with the Clinical Genome Resource as a Senior Coordinator to guide expert panels in determining the clinical validity of gene-disease relationships and pathogenicity of variants.

Join the seminar on Zoom.

The Biology of Health Disparities: Ancestry-Driven Drug Discovery

Thursday, October 6, 2022 | 2-3 p.m. ET | Virtual & In Person (Bethesda, MD)

The Division of Intramural Research (DIR) sponsors a monthly series of talks by intramural and special guest speakers celebrating genetics and genomics research. Speakers are selected by NHGRI intramural faculty and trainees and cover research topics of interest to a wide audience. All seminars are free and open to the public.

“The Biology of Health Disparities: Ancestry-Driven Drug Discovery” seminar will be delivered by guest speaker:

K. Sean Kimbro, Ph.D.Portrait of Dr. Sean Kimbro
Professor, Department of Biomedical and Biological Sciences
Director, Integrated Bioscience Ph.D. Program
JLC Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute
North Carolina Central University

Registration is required to attend the Zoom meeting. Learn more about this event and others in the series on the NHGRI website.

International Conference on Newborn Sequencing

Wednesday, October 5 – Thursday, October 6 | Boston, MA & Virtual

The inaugural International Conference on Newborn Sequencing, to be held October 5-6 in Boston, will explore how DNA sequencing is being implemented globally as a diagnostic and screening strategy for newborn children.

Learn more and register on the event website.

Please note: registration fees vary and will increase after Friday, September 30.

Genetics-Related COVID Cohorts Webinar

Monday, October 3 | 9-10 a.m. ET | Virtual

The IHCC is debuting a new panel series as part of the IHCC Educational Webinar Series. This Panel Discussion will focus on Genetics-Related COVID-19 Cohorts.

The panelists for this first session will include:

  • Dr. Sarah Bauermeister: Global Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Dr. Michèle Ramsay: Potential impact of genetic diversity on COVID-19 host susceptibility in African populations
  • Dr. Ricardo Verdugo: Creating a Multi-centric COVID-19 Cohort for Genomic and Proteomic Research on Chilean Patients
  • Dr. Albert Tenesa: Citizen science meets COVID research: Coronagenes study

This panel will be moderated by Dr. Nicki Tiffin.

Registration is required. Sign up on the IHCC website.

IHCC Panel Discussion on Genetics-Related COVID Cohorts - Photos of Panelists