ASHG High School Workshop Agenda
November 6, 2012, Moscone Convention Center, South Bldg., Room 303/305
8:15-9:00 am
Breakfast
9:00-9:15 am
Welcome and Introductions
Joel Hirschhorn, 2012 Annual Meeting Program Committee Chair
Michael J. Dougherty, ASHG Director of Education
9:15-10:10 am
1st Breakout
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10:15-11:10 am
2nd Breakout
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11:15 am-12:10 pm
DNA Forensics, Room 301
Sylvia Metcalfe, University of Melbourne, Australia
Family History, Room 302
Howard Levy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Siobhan Dolan, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
Epigenetics, Room 303/305
Louisa Stark, Genetic Science Learning Center, Salt Lake City
Carla Easter, National Human Genome Research Institute, Maryland
Newborn Screening, Room 309
Lori Potocki, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
Kristina Cusmano-Ozog, National Children’s Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Complex Traits, Room 301
John Doucet, Nicholls State University, Louisiana
Todd Kelson, Brigham Young University-Idaho
Family History, Room 302
Howard Levy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Siobhan Dolan, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
Epigenetics, Room 303/305
Louisa Stark, Genetic Science Learning Center, Salt Lake City
Carla Easter, National Human Genome Research Institute, Maryland
Population Genetics: Malaria and Sickle Cell, Room 309
Andrew Faucett, Geisinger Health System Genomic Medicine Institute, Pennsylvania
Katherine Lontok, American Society of Human Genetics, Maryland
3rd Breakout
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Complex Traits, Room 301
John Doucet, Nicholls State University, Louisiana
Todd Kelson, Brigham Young University-Idaho
DNA Forensics, Room 302
Sylvia Metcalfe, Univ. of Melbourne, Australia
Newborn Screening, Room 303/305
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Lori Potocki, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
Kristina Cusmano-Ozog, National Children’s Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Population Genetics: Malaria and Sickle Cell, Room 309
Andrew Faucett, Geisinger Health System Genomic Medicine Institute, Pennsylvania
12:15-12:50 pm
Lunch
12:55-1:45 pm
4th Breakout
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1:50-2:30 pm
Complex Traits, Room 301
John Doucet, Nicholls State University, Louisiana
Todd Kelson, Brigham Young University-Idaho
Family History, Room 302
Howard Levy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Siobhan Dolan, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
Newborn Screening, Room 303/305
Lori Potocki, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
Kristina Cusmano-Ozog, National Children’s Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Epigenetics, Room 309
Louisa Stark, Genetic Science Learning Center, Salt Lake City
Carla Easter, National Human Genome Research Institute, Maryland
Plenary Session
The Spirit of Difference
Rick Guidotti, Positive Exposure, New York
Breakout Session Descriptions
Basic - These sessions will be appropriate for students at any level of genetics knowledge.
Complex Traits
Widow’s peaks, tongue rolling, and earlobe attachment are familiar examples of genetic traits, but even these
“simple” Mendelian traits may have more complex inheritance than first realized. If that’s the case, where does
that leave our understanding of quantitative traits, such as height, intelligence, and cholesterol level? In this
session, students will explore complex human traits and how modern genomics is helping us understand their
genetic and environmental causes.
DNA Forensics
Most members of the same species are more genetically alike than different, yet only identical twins share
exactly the same DNA sequence. Find out how forensic detectives tease out slight differences in DNA sequence
to identify individuals. Students will discover the power and pitfalls of DNA identification analysis as they work
to identify paternity and solve a “who dunnit” mystery, using information from DNA profiles to piece together
crucial evidence that may – or may not – “make their case”.
Family History
Did grandfather Joe have Alzheimer’s disease? If so, does that mean that I’m at risk of getting the disease too? In
this session, students will explore the power of family history information. They will construct pedigrees, follow
the inheritance of several different types of traits, and try to make predictions based on their evidence.
Population Genetics: Malaria and Sickle Cell
How do genes and the environment interact to shape populations? In this session, students will use a probability
game to investigate the prevalence of individuals who are carriers for a genetic disease and how the carrier rate
(percentage) is affected by infectious disease. Explore genetic and environmental interactions from the bird’s
eye view of the gene pool and watch natural selection in action!
Advanced - These sessions will assume more prior genetics knowledge by students.
Epigenetics: The Interaction of Genes and Environment
Can the amount of licking that a rat mother provides her pups really affect their response to stress as adults?
Surprisingly, yes, and the explanation isn’t in their genes (at least not how you might think!). Rat nurturing
behavior isn’t the only example of this fascinating phenomenon. In this session, students will learn how
environmental factors can affect gene expression, traits, and inheritance.
Newborn Screening
Have you ever wondered how much physicians and geneticists can learn about us from the moment we are
born? Newborns are routinely screened for a variety of dangerous and often preventable disorders that may be
present at birth. Students will explore some of those traits, including the foods eaten by persons with certain
metabolic disorders, and learn about the underlying genetics.