Science-At-Night At WestConn: Genetics & Identity

DANBURY — Advances in genomic sequencing have spawned greater knowledge in the areas of genetic engineering, genetic screening and stem cell research, creating the foundation for discussion of genomic research in disciplines outside of the scientific community.

At 7 pm on Thursday, March 9, bioorganic chemist Dr Jennifer Frederick, an assistant professor of chemistry at Western Connecticut State University, will discuss “Secrets of Humanity: the Genome and Your Identity. Her lecture will be in Room 125 of WCSU’s Science Building, on the university’s midtown campus at the corner of James Roach Avenue and Osborne Street.

The talk, part of the university’s ongoing Science-at-Night series, will be free and the public is invited.

Genomics is becoming a powerful tool for the scientific and medical communities, as it affords new insights into the genetic (physical) identity of humans and other species. Dr Frederick will discuss, in layman’s terms, the similarities in genomic sequences between individual humans, and also the similarities between humans and other species.

She also is expected to address the questions that genomic studies raise, which science alone cannot answer. She will touch on the important intersection of genomics with theological, philosophical, ethical, political and social aspects of life.

“We need to think about genomics in a much more interdisciplinary way,” she said. “We need more dialogue between scientists and non-scientists about these issues.”

Dr Frederick holds a master’s degree and doctorate in bioorganic chemistry from Yale University. Her expertise in the study of DNA and proteins has involved both clinical research and employment as a post-secondary educator.

For more information, call Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences Dr Thomas Philbrick at 837-8773, or the Office of University Relations at 837-8486.