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The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) co-sponsor the Genetics Education and Engagement Fellowship to support early-career genetics professionals wishing to transition to careers in genetics education and public engagement.

Recruitment for the 2022-23 fellowship is now closed. We will begin accepting applications for the 2023-24 fellowship in February.

Overview

The Genetics Education and Engagement Fellowship program is designed for genetics professionals (or life scientists with substantial experience in genetics or genomics) who: have an advanced degree, are early in their careers, and are interested in developing and implementing genetic and genomic literacy, engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or professional development initiatives for audiences comprising K-12, undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, and professional. The fellow will participate in rotations at the NHGRI and ASHG, and typically a third organization involved in genetic and genomic literacy, engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, or professional development.

For the 2022 and 2023 fellowship application years, NHGRI and ASHG are strongly encouraging fellowship applications from individuals who seek to focus their professional careers to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in science, especially genetics and genomics research. This may include a focus on enhancing scientific workforce diversity at the undergraduate or graduate level; building bridges to engage K-12 students from underrepresented backgrounds; the inclusion of diverse populations in research cohorts; and equitable access to the benefits of science and technology.  Both NHGRI and ASHG are actively building and pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion programs that would engage the fellow during their fellowship term, and the fellowship will provide deep career experiences that will be useful for a wide range of future public, private or non-profit professional roles and career paths.

Duration of Fellowship: 16 months
Start Date: August to early September (negotiable)
Compensation Package: annual $76,000 stipend plus benefits

  • Overview

    The Genetics Education and Engagement Fellowship program is designed for genetics professionals (or life scientists with substantial experience in genetics or genomics) who: have an advanced degree, are early in their careers, and are interested in developing and implementing genetic and genomic literacy, engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or professional development initiatives for audiences comprising K-12, undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, and professional. The fellow will participate in rotations at the NHGRI and ASHG, and typically a third organization involved in genetic and genomic literacy, engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, or professional development.

    For the 2022 and 2023 fellowship application years, NHGRI and ASHG are strongly encouraging fellowship applications from individuals who seek to focus their professional careers to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in science, especially genetics and genomics research. This may include a focus on enhancing scientific workforce diversity at the undergraduate or graduate level; building bridges to engage K-12 students from underrepresented backgrounds; the inclusion of diverse populations in research cohorts; and equitable access to the benefits of science and technology.  Both NHGRI and ASHG are actively building and pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion programs that would engage the fellow during their fellowship term, and the fellowship will provide deep career experiences that will be useful for a wide range of future public, private or non-profit professional roles and career paths.

    Duration of Fellowship: 16 months
    Start Date: August to early September (negotiable)
    Compensation Package: annual $76,000 stipend plus benefits

Selection Process

A committee of representatives from ASHG and NHGRI will review application materials in May and interview finalists in early June. The selected fellows will be notified in early July. Candidates are asked in the application materials to explain their motivation, areas of interest and future plans.

Eligibility:

  • Advanced training in genetics/genomics (e.g., M.A., M.S., Ph.D.).
  • Eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., the fellowship organizations will not sponsor visas).
  • An intention to work in genetics/genomics education or engagement in the U.S. after the fellowship.
     

Attributes of Ideal Candidates:

  • A passion to improve genetic and genomic literacy;
  • An entrepreneurial spirit;
  • Volunteer or paid experience in science education, public engagement, diversity, or similar;
  • Some understanding of science pedagogy; and
  • A desire to advance sponsor organizations’ interests in working with diverse communities.

For information about how to apply, contact the fellowship leaders:

  • Lawrence Brody, Ph.D.
    Director, Division of Genomics and Society
    National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH
    Email: lbrody@mail.nih.gov
  • Chazeman Jackson, Ph.D.
    Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    American Society of Human Genetics
    Email: cjackson@ashg.org
  • Selection Process

    A committee of representatives from ASHG and NHGRI will review application materials in May and interview finalists in early June. The selected fellows will be notified in early July. Candidates are asked in the application materials to explain their motivation, areas of interest and future plans.

    Eligibility:

    • Advanced training in genetics/genomics (e.g., M.A., M.S., Ph.D.).
    • Eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., the fellowship organizations will not sponsor visas).
    • An intention to work in genetics/genomics education or engagement in the U.S. after the fellowship.
       

    Attributes of Ideal Candidates:

    • A passion to improve genetic and genomic literacy;
    • An entrepreneurial spirit;
    • Volunteer or paid experience in science education, public engagement, diversity, or similar;
    • Some understanding of science pedagogy; and
    • A desire to advance sponsor organizations’ interests in working with diverse communities.

    For information about how to apply, contact the fellowship leaders:

    • Lawrence Brody, Ph.D.
      Director, Division of Genomics and Society
      National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH
      Email: lbrody@mail.nih.gov
    • Chazeman Jackson, Ph.D.
      Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
      American Society of Human Genetics
      Email: cjackson@ashg.org

Fellowship Program

Rotations (schedule approximate)

  • September - January
    Education and Community Involvement Branch, Division of Policy, Communications, and Education at NHGRI. Participate as a member of the Branch on a variety of projects related to genomics education.
     
  • February - June
    American Society of Human Genetics. Participate in educational research and/or program development involving a range of audiences, including K-12, undergraduate, graduate, professional, and the public.
     
  • July - December
    Public or private organization involved in genetics education, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, National Science Foundation, educational foundations, museums, curriculum development groups (optional). Participate in educational program administration, grant oversight and evaluation, science policy development, curriculum development, public outreach.
     

Designated Mentor(s):

  • Lawrence Brody Ph.D.
    Director, Division of Genomics and Society, NHGRI
     
  • Chazeman Jackson, Ph.D.
    Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, ASHG
  • Fellowship Program

    Rotations (schedule approximate)

    • September - January
      Education and Community Involvement Branch, Division of Policy, Communications, and Education at NHGRI. Participate as a member of the Branch on a variety of projects related to genomics education.
       
    • February - June
      American Society of Human Genetics. Participate in educational research and/or program development involving a range of audiences, including K-12, undergraduate, graduate, professional, and the public.
       
    • July - December
      Public or private organization involved in genetics education, e.g., Smithsonian Institution, National Science Foundation, educational foundations, museums, curriculum development groups (optional). Participate in educational program administration, grant oversight and evaluation, science policy development, curriculum development, public outreach.
       

    Designated Mentor(s):

    • Lawrence Brody Ph.D.
      Director, Division of Genomics and Society, NHGRI
       
    • Chazeman Jackson, Ph.D.
      Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, ASHG

Current and Former Fellows

Year Fellow Current Employer Title Third Rotation
2019 Sarah Robbins ASHG/NHGRI Fellow HHMI
2018 Dyanna Christopher ASHG/NHGRI Fellow Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center
2016 Teresa Ramirez APS Manager Higher Education Programs Association of American Colleges
2015 Julie Nadel Johns Hopkins University Senior Program Manager NYC Dept. of Education
2014 Elizabeth Tuck GenSpace Director of Science Education National Museum of Natural History
  • Current and Former Fellows
    Year Fellow Current Employer Title Third Rotation
    2019 Sarah Robbins ASHG/NHGRI Fellow HHMI
    2018 Dyanna Christopher ASHG/NHGRI Fellow Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center
    2016 Teresa Ramirez APS Manager Higher Education Programs Association of American Colleges
    2015 Julie Nadel Johns Hopkins University Senior Program Manager NYC Dept. of Education
    2014 Elizabeth Tuck GenSpace Director of Science Education National Museum of Natural History

Contact

Lawrence Brody
Lawrence Brody, Ph.D.
  • Director
  • Division of Genomics and Society

Last updated: June 27, 2022