ASHG and NHGRI award first genetics and education fellowship

The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health, have named Elizabeth P. Tuck, MA, Upper School Science Teacher at The Wellington School in Columbus, Ohio, the first ASHG/NHGRI Genetics and Education Fellow. The 16-month appointment begins today.

The Genetics and Education Fellowship is intended to help early-career genetics professionals expand their skills, experience, and network to prepare for a career in genetics education. Fellows in the program will complete rotations at both sponsoring organizations in areas that may include curriculum development, education research, faculty professional development, public education and outreach, and science education policy.

Ms. Tuck has served in various roles related to science education since 2008, including teaching high school biology, developing biotechnology and neuroscience curricula for underserved youth, and organizing science café events for teenagers. She has also conducted laboratory research at the undergraduate and graduate levels, focusing on the genetics and cellular mechanisms underlying neurological diseases.

"With her background in both laboratory genetics research and science education, Ms. Tuck is exceptionally well-qualified to take advantage of the opportunities this fellowship provides," said Michael J. Dougherty, PhD, ASHG's Director of Education. "We are excited to launch this new program with a fellow who has worked in varied settings and who can effectively combine diverse perspectives to identify and address challenges in genetics education."

The ASHG/NHGRI Genetics and Education Fellowship is modeled after the ASHG/NHGRI Genetics and Public Policy Fellowship, which ASHG and NHGRI have jointly sponsored since 2002.

"NHGRI is pleased with the implementation of the new fellowship program. Ms. Tuck will be our first fellow and we could not be more delighted. We anticipate her helping to make the education fellowship program as successful as the long-standing ASHG-NHGRI policy fellowship program," said Vence L. Bonham, Jr., JD, chief of the Education and Community Involvement Branch at NHGRI.

"The Genetics and Public Policy Fellowship has been successful in helping to train genetics professionals who currently occupy significant positions in policy and advocacy organizations and in government. We hope the new program has a similar impact," added Joseph D. McInerney, MA, MS, Executive Vice President of ASHG.

Provided by American Society of Human Genetics