We are pleased to announce the election of six new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors:
2019 Vice-President / 2020 President
Denise Montell
Robert and Patricia Duggan Professor, Distinguished Professor, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara
Denise Montell’s research aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms that control how cells build and maintain normal adult tissues so these mechanisms can be harnessed for the benefit of human health. She welcomes the chance to work with the GSA in navigating the current period of exceptional opportunity for genetics. She hopes GSA will foster the dynamic expansion of genetics to new organisms, while ensuring that the classic model organism and human genetics communities continue to expand and thrive. She also welcomes the chance to work with the GSA to inspire our members to provide opportunities for diverse young people to experience the thrill of discovery in genetics.
https://labs.mcdb.ucsb.edu/montell/denise/
Secretary (2019–2021)
Erika Matunis
Professor, Department of Cell Biology, and Institute for Cellular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Erika Matunis studies how stem cells cooperate with their natural microenvironments, or niches, to sustain adult tissue regeneration. Matunis served on the GSA Board as a Director (2016–2018) and as an organizer and session chair for the Annual Drosophila Research Conference. She hopes to promote GSA’s ability to support member’s advocacy skills, as well as the highly successful TAGC meetings and the inclusion of all GSA members, particularly those at early stages of their training, who represent the future of this evolving society.
http://cellbio.jhmi.edu/people/faculty/erika-matunis-phd
Directors (2019–2021)
Pamela Geyer
Professor of Biochemistry, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa
Pamela Geyer studies mechanisms involved in genome organization and gene regulation during development. She has served an Associate Editor for GENETICS since 2011, as an organizer of the Annual Drosophila Research Conference, and in various positions on the Drosophila Board. She is enthusiastic about joining the GSA Board to serve as an advocate for training and building a diverse community of geneticists, the power of model organisms, and scientific communication.
Swathi Arur
Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Swathi Arur investigates the role of environmental cues and maternal nutrition in regulating oogenesis and oocyte to embryo transition in C. elegans. She hopes to advocate for encouraging cross model organism collaboration through TAGC and for initiatives that foster increased public engagement of students in community colleges and high school.
https://www.mdanderson.org/research/departments-labs-institutes/labs/arur-laboratory.html
Twitter: @sarur2
Rebecca Burdine
Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University
Rebecca Burdine’s research focuses on left-right patterning and understanding how TGF-beta signaling shapes organ morphogenesis in zebrafish. More recently, her studies have expanded into modeling human diseases and disorders. She serves on the Boards of the International Zebrafish Society and the International Society of Differentiation and was a zebrafish community representative for TAGC 2016. Burdine is honored to have the chance to address the unique challenges of mid-career researchers and advance scientific literacy for everyone through outreach and science communication.
https://scholar.princeton.edu/burdinelab
Twitter: @rburdine1
Director (Early Career Faculty, 2019–2021)
Jordan Ward
Assistant Professor of MCD Biology, UC Santa Cruz
Jordan Ward studies how individual, evolutionarily conserved transcription factors regulate distinct gene expression programs controlling cell division and differentiation and organ development in living animals. He serves on the GSA’s strategic planning working group for advocacy, participated in the recent “Blue Sky” strategic planning meeting, and has co-organized workshops at the International C. elegans Conference. He is keen to advocate for and discuss the interests of early career investigators, improving scientific communication, and career development.
Twitter: @Jordan_D_Ward
Read more in
-
In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation
Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…
-
Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…
-
Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024
You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…
-
Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience
A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…
-
TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners
GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024. Don’t miss the opportunity…
-
Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards
In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…
-
Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research
In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…
-
New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026
We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…
-
Parrot plumage study aids breeders and endangered natural populations
Yellow coloration is maladaptive in the wild but prized by breeders. People have long been fascinated with birds, which exhibit one of the widest ranges of coloration among vertebrates. Parrots, in particular, have captivated humans by their ability to mimic human speech and spectacular plumage. Brightly colored feathers are used primarily to attract mates, intimidate…
-
Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Gilmour
We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah GilmourMultimedia SubcommitteeStowers Institute for Medical Research Research Interest Questions of evolution have always fascinated me. I am extremely fortunate to be starting out my research career in a…