Dan Nonte, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-4314
Posted 4-24-07
GREENSBORO, NC – Leslie Evans, a genetic counselor at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, will mark National DNA Day, Wednesday, April 25, by teaching four biology classes at Western Guilford High School.
Evans will discuss cases from her experience as a genetic counselor, emphasizing diseases such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia, which are part of the state science curriculum. She will also talk to students about the importance of taking their own family history for disease prevention and early detection.
Evans works on the Guilford Genomic Medicine Initiative, a federally funded project to translate genetic discoveries into everyday clinical practice. UNCG’s Center for Biotechnology, Genomics and Health Research is developing physician, community and patient education materials for the project, a collaboration with Duke University, Moses Cone Health System and the University of Miami.
The classes at Western Guilford High School, 409 Friendway Road, are: 9:50-10:45 a.m., 11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m., 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 2:35-3:40 p.m.
National DNA Day was created to commemorate the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003, and the discovery of DNA's double helix. For more information about genomics and DNA Day, visit http://www.genome.gov/dnaday/.
