Cultivating the Genetic Workforce: The Pipeline Approach
18 Mar 2025
Health Services and Implementation
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Accredited:
- Accredited
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Primary Categories:
- Health services and Implementation
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Secondary Categories:
- Health services and Implementation
This session features presentations from a variety of training programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of scientists in genetics and genomics. These programs, targeting high school students, undergraduates, post-baccalaureate students, graduate students, and medical students, are designed not only to guide students toward successful careers in genetics and genomics but also to promote genetics and genomics literacy. Each stage in this educational journey offers students the chance to solidify their identities as scientists, which is particularly significant for those from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities. These programs play a crucial role in advancing the National Human Genome Research Institute’s (NHGRI) mission to enhance diversity within the genetics and genomics workforce.
Dr. Sabrina Powell will discuss the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s EDGE Genomics summer undergraduate research program, focusing on how it builds student identity and confidence, provides mentorship, and prepares students for their future careers. Dr. Christine Beck will present on the Jackson Laboratory’s programs for high school (Summer Students Program) and post-baccalaureate students (Postbac at Jax), highlighting their approaches to early scientific training. Dr. David Burke will share insights from the University of Michigan’s Genome Sciences Training Program, which offers graduate students interdisciplinary training at the interface of statistical, computational, and molecular genetics. Dr. Rachel Burnside will address how the University of Florida Medical School is integrating genetics and genomics concepts across its medical student curriculum, moving beyond a single genetics course to incorporate relevant concepts into clinical training.
The session will conclude with a discussion moderated by Dr. Bruce Korf, addressing the following questions:
Dr. Sabrina Powell will discuss the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s EDGE Genomics summer undergraduate research program, focusing on how it builds student identity and confidence, provides mentorship, and prepares students for their future careers. Dr. Christine Beck will present on the Jackson Laboratory’s programs for high school (Summer Students Program) and post-baccalaureate students (Postbac at Jax), highlighting their approaches to early scientific training. Dr. David Burke will share insights from the University of Michigan’s Genome Sciences Training Program, which offers graduate students interdisciplinary training at the interface of statistical, computational, and molecular genetics. Dr. Rachel Burnside will address how the University of Florida Medical School is integrating genetics and genomics concepts across its medical student curriculum, moving beyond a single genetics course to incorporate relevant concepts into clinical training.
The session will conclude with a discussion moderated by Dr. Bruce Korf, addressing the following questions:
- How does each program foster connections between the prior and subsequent steps of the training pipeline?
- How does each program prepare students for their next step of training?
- How do each program and institution work to expand and enhance the diversity of the genetics and genomics workforce?
- What is the focus of each program with respect to medical genetics?
Learning Objectives
- Describe ways that institutions and training programs can help foster a diverse genetics workforce
- List strategies to assist students as they navigate the transitions from one training program to the next
- Summarize methods to build connections between training programs at different steps of the training pipeline
- Describe the unique needs of students at each training level in terms of mentoring needs and core skills developed
- Describe ways to increase genetics literacy among non-geneticists at all training levels
Agenda
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Welcome and Introduction1:30 PM – 1:35 PM -
Undergraduate Training: UNC Chapel Hill's EDGE Genomics Program1:35 PM – 1:55 PM -
High School and Post-Bac Training: The Jackson Lab's Summer Student & Postbac at Jax Programs1:55 PM – 2:15 PM -
Graduate Student Training: The University of Michigan's Genome Science Training Program2:15 PM – 2:35 PM -
Medical Student Training at the University of Florida2:35 PM – 2:55 PM -
Panel DiscussionPanel Discussion and Q&A2:55 PM – 3:30 PM
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