Black In Genetics Week 2022

#BIGxWeek

Roll Call

Happy #BIGxWeek! My past research used genetics/genomics tools to unveil mechanisms involved in obesity. Switched from the bench and now I am a Clinical Variant Scientist @StJudeResearch interpreting variants associated with pediatric cancers #BIGxRollCall @BlackInGenetics
— Maria Namwanje (@mnamwanje_PhD) October 3, 2022

Happy #BIGxWeek! My name is Shontiara and I am a prenatal genetic counselor in San Antonio, TX! 🧬 ♥️ I am supperrr excited to learn about everyone’s occupation, research and professional interests this week! #BIGxRollCall
— Shontiara (@Shontiara1) October 4, 2022

my favorite week is back!! 🥰 #BIGxWeek
I am a pediatric genetic counselor in Memphis, TN 🧬 #BIGxRollCall
— Emma Bradley (@emmalea23) October 3, 2022

My #BIGxRollCall from last year still says it all 😀. Nice to meet those who are new to #BIGxWeek
— Grace Fasaye, CGC (@gracefulDNA) October 4, 2022

Happy #BIGxWeek !! I’m Daphne- a postdoc (and soon to be faculty member) @StanfordBioethx I work on the ELSI of genetics. My work predominantly focuses on community engagement, social responsibility, and social and behavioral genomics #BIGxRollCall https://t.co/FWBkMFOvRB
— Daphne Martschenko, PhD (@daphmarts) October 4, 2022

Happy @BlackInGenetics week!! I'm an #ELSI postdoc fellow @UMichSPH my research intersects hereditary cancers, patient info needs, and tech system innovations to help diverse families share/manage genetic testing results and family health history #BIGxRollCall #BIGxWeek pic.twitter.com/oSkSZCnbAm
— L. H. Gerido, PhD (@LHGerido) October 4, 2022

Happy Black in Genetics Week!
I spent 12 years as a clinical Genetics Counselor in both pediatrics and prenatal care. I’ve now transferred over to research but still have the same passion for accuracy and access to genetic testing for all!#BIGxRollCall #BIGxWeek
— Deanna Darnes, MS, LCGC (she/her) (@furiousATGC) October 3, 2022

We are excited that #BIGxWeek is back @BlackInGenetics! Let's get this party started with #BIGxRollCall. We're GOLDEN, a Black GC-founded program increasing the awareness of genetic counseling to Black students + supporting their GC application journey. @Barb_DNA_GC @gracefulDNA pic.twitter.com/vvQpABnrmT
— GOLDENDNA (@GOLDENDNA2) October 4, 2022

Late to yesterday's #BIGxRollCall! Same story as last year. It is a privilege to do the work of @minoritygenetic, to connect and empower our members. I wish we could do more and faster, but that time will come. https://t.co/wQphJvIWRY
— Michelle Takemoto (she/her) (@mixing808) October 4, 2022

Happy #BIGxWeek! I’m Randy, a board member of @BlackInGenetics. I’m currently a PhD candidate at @HarvardBiostats, supported through their Genomics Training Grant. I’m excited to meet everyone else in the BIGx community! #BIGxRollCall
— Randy Williams (@RandyPWilliams) October 3, 2022

I almost missed the #BIGxRollCall. 👋🏽 BIG fam. I am an iCURE scholar & Postbac @NCIEpiTraining investigating functional & genetic associations of #IFNL4. I’m also a #SickleCell mom & advocate & a future immunogeneticist. Happy #BIGxWeek! https://t.co/ej4ZQUjmqY
— 👩🏽‍🔬Frenchy 🔬🦠🧬 (@ph_OnedermomPhD) October 4, 2022

Happy Monday and first day of #BIGxWeek!!! I am a 5th year PhD Candidate in @uwgenetics. I study pre-mRNA splicing inhibition in yeast. I look forward to hearing about all of the other BiG peeps. #BIGxRollCall @BlackInGenetics pic.twitter.com/fiJekxNq9s
— Sierra Love (@FutureDrSLove) October 3, 2022

#BIGxRollCall I’m a public health and pediatric genetic counselor in Hawai‘i.

I LOVE #BIGxWeek and seeing so many new and familiar faces. This community is amazing🤎 pic.twitter.com/1GJdB9lz3T
— Liann Jimmons, MS, CGC (@LiannGC) October 3, 2022

Happy Black in Genetics week! I'm a cardiac genetic counselor in Baltimore, MD. My role is 50% clinical and 50% research 🧬#BIGxWeek #BIGxRollCall https://t.co/fk9uisPyGa
— Bryana Rivers (@GcBry) October 3, 2022

Happy @BlackInGenetics week!! I'm Dr. Trenell J. Mosley. A human geneticist who recently transitioned to government/science policy. I'm passionate about DEIA in the scientific workforce and education. #BIGxRollCall #BIGxWeek pic.twitter.com/57re3sY36a
— Dr. Trenell Mosley (@MosleyTrenell) October 3, 2022

Happy @BlackInGenetics Week Fam!
I'm Dr. Janina Jeff!
- population geneti-SIS
- host of @inthosegenespod, the only science & culture narrative podcast that uses genetics to decode the lost histories & futures of African descendants
- bioinformatician at @illumina #BIGxRollCall pic.twitter.com/zHtJzZxymy
— Dr. Jay Electronica (@inthosegenespod) October 3, 2022

Excited for @BlackInGenetics week!

🧬 I help launch & manage products for genetics research at @Invitae

🧬 Previous research scientist in various areas of genetics from Mendelian syndromes to non-human primate population genetics. #BIGxRollCall #BIGxWeek
— Asia Mitchell, PhD (@Asia_Mitch) October 4, 2022

Happy @BlackinGenetics #BIGxWeek! I'm Jasmine, a 2nd year PhD student and biostatistician @ObsGynaeCam and @NIEHS in the @NIHOxCam program. My research focuses on how genes and the environment influence pregnancy complications among ancestrally diverse populations #BIGxRollCall. pic.twitter.com/9AUJ9rA73a
— J. A. Mack, MPH, MS (@Jasamack) October 3, 2022

BIG Story

#BIGxWeek @BlackInGenetics, I wanted to be an obstetrician until I took genetics my sophomore year of College @TSUedu. My genetics teacher, Dr. Lewis Myles, showed me that genetics was this beautiful marriage of math and biology. From that point on, I knew I’d be a geneticist. pic.twitter.com/Vs4L9vubQu
— Tiffany Oliver (@drteeoliver) October 4, 2022

My journey to genetics started at @SpelmanCollege as I worked in a "damp" lab as apart of the @Spelman_RISE program. At the time we were identifying variants in the bovine genome associated with fetal cow birth weight.#BIGxStory https://t.co/QCUEhOaDye pic.twitter.com/TMUGJtNVxR
— Dr. Jay Electronica (@inthosegenespod) October 4, 2022

#BIGxStory
A little late but-

I started in research in a wet lab in the early days of CRISPR, still pulling our own needles to inject our C. elegans

Loved the science and research but knew I missed connecting with other people and communities
— Liann Jimmons, MS, CGC (@LiannGC) October 6, 2022

- started my professional career working in newborn screening ✅
- first Black GC grad from Bay Path ✅
- moved to Memphis to start my career as a pediatric GC, serving a predominantly Black population on a team led by a Black geneticist ✅ #BIGxWeek #BIGxStory
— Emma Bradley (@emmalea23) October 4, 2022

My #BiGxStory began when I was a kid. I watched CSI as a kid with my grandmother and wanted to be a Forensic scientist. I wanted to wear a lab coat and do DNA analysis. I never knew research was a career option until I graduated college 👇🏾#BIGxWeek
— Sierra Love (@FutureDrSLove) October 5, 2022

BIGxStory Interview with Dr. Joseph L. Graves, Jr.

Lynette Strickland, PhD, and Alexis Stutzman sat down with Dr. Joseph L. Graves Jr. to hear about his life and thoughts on the evolutionary biology field. Below are some of the books and articles that were referenced in this interview:
-Inequality in science and the case for a new agenda by Joseph L. Graves Jr., Maureen Kearney, Gilda Barabino, and Shirley Malcolm
-Racism, Not Race Answers to Frequently Asked Questions by Joseph L. Graves Jr. and Alan H. Goodman
-The Emperor's New Clothes by Joseph L. Graves Jr.
-A Voice in the Wilderness: A Pioneering Biologist Explains How Evolution Can Help Us Solve Our Biggest Problems by Joseph L. Graves Jr.

My #BIGxStory started in middle school when I learned about pedigrees and hemophilia. It was a wrap after that. A combination of super mentors and stubbornness got me to where I am now. Still on my journey and can't wait to see what's in the future! #BIGxWeek @BlackInGenetics
— Dr. Trenell Mosley (@MosleyTrenell) October 5, 2022

My #BIGxStory started over 30yrs ago in HS biology when I learned the mutation that caused #SickleCellDisease was from a single nucleotide change. 10yrs later I would become the mother of 2 #SickleCellWarriors. The rest as they say, is history. https://t.co/ZViEXy91pH
— 👩🏽‍🔬Frenchy 🔬🦠🧬 (@ph_OnedermomPhD) October 4, 2022

Here’s my story! -Wanted a science career that allowed me to interact with people & make a difference
⁃1st Black GC grad from The Ohio State University
-Created The GC Immersive @Color with the help of @GoodGenesGC & @kellytangney #BIGxWeek #BIGxStory
— Shontiara (@Shontiara1) October 5, 2022

My #BIGxStory started when I was in 3rd grade and my grandfather received a kidney transplant. He went through rejection and was part of an experimental medical treatment led by a team of PhDs. That was when I learned how science had the power to change peoples lives. 1/🧵
— Alex Stutzman (@stutzman_alexis) October 4, 2022

I ended up finding my way into a genetic anthropology lab after learning my limits as a forensic anthropology student. Genetics allowed me to explore the world and people in new and interesting ways.#BIGxWeek #BIGxStory
— Jada Benn Torres (@sankofadna) October 4, 2022

#BIGxStory #BIGxWeek
-Fell in love w/ genetics in undergrad
-Googled what to do w/ a genetics degree and found genetic counseling #GeneChat
-Became the first GCA for the ARVC program at Johns Hopkins
-Grad school at Univ. of Cincy
-Worked in peds, cardio/cancer, and now cardio
— Bryana Rivers (@GcBry) October 4, 2022

My (late) @BlackinGenetics journey #BIGxStory: I wanted to be a pediatrician growing up, genetics was always a fave subject. My interests included statistics via majoring in biology/psychology @Emory, and culminating into my focus in biostats and maternal health @BUSPH. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/r6SgXaBHTP
— J. A. Mack, MPH, MS (@Jasamack) October 5, 2022

My story is still being written.
Starting when I was the only Black girl in AP biology and found my love in DNA and how it attributes to who you are…
I am now the first and only Black Genetic counseling student in the state of Arizona. Stay tune I’m not done yet#BIGxStory
— E’Lashae, M.S. (@ElashaeGC) October 5, 2022

A friend of mine forwarded me an email about a genetic counseling interest meeting for no particular reason…

I went, and it was everything I ever loved about science. So, I took a leap of faith and landed among some incredible friends! 🫶🏾
#BIGxStory
— Jay Vaunado II (@JayVaunado) October 5, 2022

BIG Science

BIGxScience with Dr. Ashira Blazer

As part of Black In Genetics Week 2022 (#BIGxWeek) Dr. Ashira Blazer, an Assistant Professor of Rheumatology at Hospital for Special Surgery, gives a seminar on her recent publication titled "APOL1 variant-expressing endothelial cells exhibit autophagic dysfunction and mitochondrial stress." You can read her article here and watch her seminar below:

In celebration of #BIGxWeek and #BIGxScience Day, @GIMJournal ACMG’s official journal is making these two special articles focused on Black women and #breastcancer available FREE to all this month. Search the article titles here: https://t.co/xzyMnysfI8 @BlackInGenetics #DEI pic.twitter.com/KqjepFl0me
— ACMG (@TheACMG) October 5, 2022

Here is my #BIGxScience: We are looking for participants for a study on Afro-Puerto Rican genetic ancestry! https://t.co/Xfe9SMe649 pic.twitter.com/UDrIXpuluk
— Jada Benn Torres (@sankofadna) October 5, 2022

BIG Education

BIGxEducation Panel on Getting into Graduate School

We sat down with a current genetic counseling student, Jay Vaunado II, two current PhD students, Randy Williams and Alexis Stutzman, and Lynette Strickland, PhD to chat about getting into genetics graduate programs in the United States. They provide information about applications, interviews, and the timeline of the admissions process and give their own tips and tricks for making applications stand out. Be sure to check out the resources mentioned at the end of this video! Links to those resources are below:
Cientifico Latino
Minority Genetic Professionals Network (MGPN)
Genetics Opportunities, Learning, Development, and Empowerment Network (GOLDEN)
National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Podcasts

More for Black students to consider when choosing programs:

Are there hair stylists/barbers that you can go to?
Are there places to eat with the comfort food you grew up with?
Are there grocery stores with the ingredients you need?
What's the music/art scene like?#BIGxEducation https://t.co/hrZ32tcYdC
— Liann Jimmons, MS, CGC (@LiannGC) October 7, 2022

Tips learned from my grad school application process 🧵

1. If you don't like the weather don't go, more broadly pay attention to what you value in your life. If family support is important, try to stay close, if you hate cold weather NY is not the place for you#BIGxEducation
— Dr. Trenell Mosley (@MosleyTrenell) October 6, 2022

Happy Black in Genetics Week! Follow along with this thread to hear from Avia Sutton, one of our current GC students, about her experiences applying to programs and starting her Genetic Counseling journey! #BIGxEducation #BIGxWeek pic.twitter.com/7oMBQKGTXG
— UNCG Genetic Counseling Program (@UNCGGC) October 6, 2022

BIG Impact

BIG Impact Interview with Dr. Crystal Grant

In this interview, Alexis Stutzman sits down with Dr. Crystal Grant, a Technology Fellow with ACLU, to chat about the #BIGxImpact she's made during her career and her thoughts on the genetics field. In this interview, we reference her recent article titled “Police Are Using Newborn Genetic Screening to Search for Suspects, Threatening Privacy and Public Health,” which you can read here.

In Dr. Janina Jeff's #BIGxStory, she mentions starting @inthosegenespod to reduce barriers to understanding scientific language. She's making a #BIGxImpact on our community! Check out In Those Genes in the link below 👇🏿 https://t.co/9e4FEoJeaR
— BlackInGenetics (@BlackInGenetics) October 8, 2022

In the Genetic Anthropology and Biocultural Studies Lab, we use community engaged genetics to explore hidden histories of Afro- descendants.#BIGxImpact #COPI @VandyAnthro pic.twitter.com/r5qt0X0gjr
— Jada Benn Torres (@sankofadna) October 8, 2022

BIG Fam

As #BIGxWeek comes to a close, we want to take some time to connect with our BIG Fam. We'll be having a BIG Fam virtual meetup today from 2-5p ET so please contact us if you'd like to join! pic.twitter.com/pvAZRgxurX
— BlackInGenetics (@BlackInGenetics) October 9, 2022