title: A passion for the science of the human genome.
abstract: The complete sequencing of the human genome introduced a new knowledge base for decoding information structured in DNA sequence variation. My research is predicated on the supposition that the genome is the most sophisticated knowledge system known, as evidenced by the exquisite information it encodes on biochemical pathways and molecular processes underlying the biology of health and disease. Also, as a living legacy of human origins, migrations, adaptations, and identity, the genome communicates through the complexity of sequence variation expressed in population diversity. As a biomedical research scientist and academician, a question I am often asked is: "How is it that a black woman like you went to the University of Michigan for a PhD in Human Genetics?" As the ASCB 2012 E. E. Just Lecturer, I am honored and privileged to respond to this question in this essay on the science of the human genome and my career perspectives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, and Division of Molecular Genetics, National Human Genome Center at Howard University, Howard University, Washington DC 20059, USA. gdunston@Howard.edu
authors.forename: Georgia M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Dunston
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002321:Career Choice; D010856:Columbidae; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000266:history*; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D016045:Human Genome Project; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012586:Science; D014481:United States