Scholarly Endeavors
HUMAN GENOME PROJECT
The Mission
The National Educational Foundation of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
has embarked upon a mission to raise awareness, in minority communities
about human genome research and the potential impact and benefits of
this research. The conferences conducted thus far by the National
Educational Foundation have revealed that more work must be done beyond
the present two-day conferences to disseminate information about the
advances in genetic research.
Our communities need to be aware of
what genetic research is, how it is being used to cure diseases that
affect the human race as well as those that primarily affect people of
color. It is also important that the community is aware of the
potential for abuse of this research so that they can take a stands
against unethical use of this important research.
In 2003, Sigma Nu Zeta Chapter, in
partnership with the Abyssinian Baptist Church Health Ministry,
presented a panel of experts to the Central Harlem Community. Sigma Nu
Zeta Chapter was awarded a grant from the National Education Foundation
to host this forum.
The forum enabled the community residents to
receive information from and ask questions of our distinguished
panelists, and thereby become more informed about genetic research and
its effects on communities of color.
Sigma Nu Zeta Planning Committee:
Ms. Cheryl A. Pemberton, Chairwoman
Ms. Leona D. Willis
Ms. Nikosa McLeod, Certified Cytotechnologist
Ms. Dayana Charles, Registered Nurse
Advisory Committee:
Dr. Kwame Anyane-Yeboa, Key Advisor
Ms. Jacqueline Lemon-Denton, Atlantic Region Director
Dr. Jerome Tolbert, Deacon Abyssinian Baptist Church
Article in The Abyssinian Spirit
Meet the Experts
Dr. Wendy K. Chung- M.D., Ph.D.
Topic: "The Human Genome and Recent Scientific Discoveries"
Assistant professor of pediatrics and
an Assistant attending physician in the Division of Molecular Genetics
at Columbia University. She is a board certified clinical geneticist
and has a Ph.D. in genetics. She teaches medical students and graduate
students in several courses in human genetics. She also runs a research
laboratory at Rockefeller University that studies the genetics basis of
obesity and diabetes.
Dr. Kwame Anyane-Yeboa- M.D.
Topic: "Genetic Problems in Clinical Practice"
Director of the Division of Clinical
Genetics in the Department of Pediatrics at Columbia University, the
Director of the Genetic Residency Training Program at The New York
Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia Campus), and Associate Professor of
Clinical Pediatrics and Genetics at Columbia University. Dr.
Anyane-Yeboa is also the Director of the Division of Clinical Genetics
at the New York Presbyterian Hospital as well as the Director of the
Genetics Residency Program at the New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Dr. Gerald Hoke- M.D.,MPH
Topic: "African American Prostate Cancer Studies"
Director of the African American Hereditary Prostate
Cancer Study at Columbia University, Harlem Hospital Center and author
of numerous papers in health services research, male sexual
dysfunction, prostate cancer, prostate diseases and health status
measures.
Dr. Jeroo Kotval- Ph.D.
Topic: "Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications for the Minority Community"
Associate Professor and Director of the Center for
Minority Health Research, Education and Training at the University of
Albany and author of several major policy reports in the area of
biomedical sciences policy and bills, in areas such as reproductive
technology and DNA based testing.