An Otterbein professor and student were selected to travel to the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Summer Workshop in Genomics this August.
The course is offered by the NHGRI in Maryland at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from Aug. 2-7.
According to the NHGRI Web site, the workshop is an intensive, six-day course that will update instructors on genomic science. It focuses on finding the genetic basis of diseases and disorders. The course also focuses on the current topics of ethics, legality and social implications of genomics.
Nursing professor Joan Pryor-McCann said she is "just over the moon to go to the National Institute of Health."
"I think I was chosen because, I'm assuming, two things. I stressed big changes–the change to semesters and accrediting body for nursing. Also, I have a Ph.D. in philosophy, so I'm interested in other things. I'm assuming they want a well-rounded group," Pryor-McCann said.
"I hope to have updated information on genetics and genomics and be more familiar with research priorities. I also want to make contacts with future networking possibilities," Pryor-McCann said.
After being chosen to go to the workshop, Pryor-McCann was allowed to choose one student to participate in the NIH Genome Scholars Program, which is designed to provide a "close-up view of careers in genetic research while providing an enhanced mentoring experience," according to the Web site.
To be selected, the student had to meet certain requirements. Students had to have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, be enrolled at the selected teacher's college in a science-related major and complete the application process.
Pryor-McCann chose junior nursing major, Lauren Shoemaker.
"One of the professors had told her that I was going to do an independent study on maternity. So she knew that I had a special interest in a genetic field, and that I'm academically sound," Shoemaker said.
"[Shoemaker is] going to be a senior. She is very interested in maternity and genetics in maternity. She just worked out. She had the interest, and she had the time. A lot of other students had the interest, but had other plans and couldn't commit to the time," Pryor-McCann said.
"I'm most excited about meeting new people who have a different perspective," Shoemaker said.
Shoemaker hopes to bring Otterbein "a new knowledge of different things out there. Being in the nursing field, you just assume you'll work in a hospital. We need to know that we have more options to pursue. I want to experience something new that Otterbein hasn't been exposed to."
There are personal reasons why Shoemaker wants to attend the workshop as well.
"My mom has a genetic disorder that is under-researched. I want to see how things work and gain insight on her disorder," she said. t&c;
