National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Nominations are open for the Bettie J. Graham Leadership Award for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Genomics Workforce! Two honorific, non-monetary recognition awards will be given each year to honor an Early-Stage Investigator and an Established Investigator who have significantly enhanced Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the genomics workforce. Learn more and submit your nominations by January 17, 2025! https://lnkd.in/dw_PyCEv

NHGRI recently announced that nominations are open for the newly named Bettie J. Graham Leadership Award for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Genomics Workforce.Two honorific, non-monetary recognition awards will be given each year to honor an Early-Stage Investigator and an Established Investigator who have significantly enhanced Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the genomics workforce.I encourage you to learn more and submit your nominations by January 17, 2025!https://lnkd.in/gQ_XK_xM

The Y chromosome has an unusually high percentage of repetitive DNA sequence, which made it SUPER difficult for scientists to study. They had to use special technology and methods to make it happen! So remember that patience and rest leads to innovation. 🥰 Learn more! https://lnkd.in/e6k5FCwG

November is #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth! The NIH Tribal Health Research Office (THRO) celebrates Native American culture, ingenuity and contributions to biomedical research. This year, THRO is focusing on uplifting data visibility, voices and sovereignty. Often, American Indian and Alaska Native populations have been erased and not properly consulted or consented for when included in research. We must ensure that research data reflect AI/AN voices and are aligned with Indigenous data sovereignty practices.   Join the NIH Tribal Health Research Office (THRO) for a panel discussion entitled, “‘I am the data, the data is me!’ Centering Culture and Indigenist Ethics and Principles in Building an Indigenous Reference Genome” on November 23 at 4p.m. ET. Learn more! https://lnkd.in/eePymqjN

We are so excited to be hosting astronaut and biomedical researcher Kate Rubins at NHGRI this week! She is the first person to sequence DNA in space in 2016.  She has had such an impressive career, and we are thrilled to welcome her! Kate will be giving the keynote talk at the 2024 NHGRI Symposium, an annual event at which all NHGRI staff come together for two days.  

Did you know that genomics helped researchers advance COVID-19 diagnostics and vaccine development? Genomics is increasingly becoming an integral part of public health and healthcare.The rapid availability of genomic sequence data about the SARS-CoV-2 virus was key in the development of effective and safe mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Read our COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Development fact sheet to learn more about this remarkable story! https://lnkd.in/eKSBBfQg Also, don’t forget to get your COVID booster shot for the winter season!

I hope that you are enjoying my debut Way Cool Genomics video! We had a blast making it. Here is some behind-the-scenes footage of me filming it and my team helping me look cool! You can watch the full Way Cool Genomics video about eDNA here: https://lnkd.in/eUaxCBRw 

Your new plans this weekend are to get cozy and dive into our genomics fact sheets, including our newest one all about RNA! That's classy. https://lnkd.in/eS-8AKPh

I hope that you are enjoying my debut Way Cool Genomics video! We had a blast making it. Here is some behind-the-scenes footage of me filming it and my team helping me look cool! You can watch the full Way Cool Genomics video about eDNA here: https://lnkd.in/eUaxCBRw 

Today is #GeneticCounselorAwarenessDay! In an era of more frequent DNA testing, many families will meet a genetic counselor as the first person in their healthcare journey in genetics.   Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adopt through the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. This profession is essential for making the future of genomics in healthcare something that is safe and beneficial for everyone.   We are spending the rest of this month highlighting some of the amazing genetic counselors in the field right now! Today we are starting with Caralynn Wilczewski.   Caralynn Wilczewski is a Genetic Counselor at NHGRI, who specializes in precision medicine. She works with patients who have had their DNA sequenced in a research study to let them know when the sequence results show they are at risk for a disease.   Being a genetic counselor means not only being fluent in the science, but also connecting with people on a personal level to counsel them through an experience that can be very difficult—a role that will only become more and more important as genetic sequencing and precision medicine become more common.     Caralynn started her career working in a laboratory setting, doing genetics research, but wanted to communicate and connect with the patients whose conditions she studied. She earned her genetic counseling degree at NHGRI through a joint program with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, enjoying the program so much she got a job at NHGRI as soon as she graduated.     You can learn more about genetic counseling here! https://lnkd.in/eshN9d7X