The Messenger sat down recently with Jessica Ezzell Hunter, PhD a Senior Public Health Analyst at RTI International, a nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. As a part of the Public Education & Awareness Committee (PEAC), Dr. Hunter is passionate about engaging the next generation of scientists as well as the public. She has been a member of ASHG for over ten years and touches on why she has made ASHG her professional home and how ASHG positively impacts individual careers and the genetics field.
Why do you think public engagement around genetics is important?
Jessica Ezzell Hunter, PhD (JEH): I didn’t discover human genetics until I took a college biology course – that is when I realized the potential to improve human health by contributing to advancements in this field, and suddenly my career path was clear. Being a part of PEAC is an opportunity to ignite that same passion in others – hopefully at an earlier age – and inspire future scientists.
Similarly, most of what I know about using genetic risk information to improve health has come from my training and research. This highlights the need for broad public awareness about human genetics, including the translational benefits of genetics and genomics, and presents an opportunity to elevate my work to have a broader impact. I lead the actionability work on ClinGen to identify genetic findings with opportunities to intervene and improve health outcomes, but the full impact of this work will only be realized if people and their healthcare providers seek out and act on this information. Increasing public awareness of the connection between genetics and health can facilitate this.
You’ve been a member of ASHG since 2010. What influenced your decision to choose ASHG as your professional home?
JEH: I love this question because I truly see ASHG as my professional home. The ASHG Annual Meeting is a conference I look forward to every year. Human genetics is such a broad field, and the conference gives me the opportunity to step outside my professional bubble to expand my perspective and help me stay connected to the wider genetics community. In addition, learning about advancements in technology and research in other areas of human genetics can spark new ideas and approaches for my own work.
How has being a member of ASHG impacted your career?
JEH: Attending the ASHG conference is not only a platform to disseminate my research and stay up to date on the latest advancements, but it also offers the opportunity to network and stay connected to colleagues, both old and new. Much of my research has emerged from discussions at ASHG that spark proposals and collaborations.
What role do you think ASHG plays in advancing the field of human genetics?
JEH: I have talked a lot about the annual conference which, along with the American Journal of Human Genetics, are key platforms for the human genetics community to share ideas and drive innovation. Beyond these examples, the Society promotes career development, public outreach, advocacy, and other initiatives. From nurturing the next generation of scientists to ensuring equitable and ethical integration of genetic information into healthcare, these efforts ultimately broaden the field’s impact on advancing human health.
Are there any emerging areas of research or technology that you find particularly promising or transformative?
JEH: Advancements in genotyping, especially those that help reduce costs, have been vital in promoting equitable access to genetic risk information. This progress has helped us towards providing genetic information for early intervention through population screening efforts, allowing for significant potential for public health impact. However, these efforts are still limited by challenges in integrating certain types of genetic findings, such as triplet repeat polymorphisms, which aren’t detected by the same methods as single-nucleotide polymorphisms. This is a challenge that we have faced at RTI International with our Early Check newborn sequencing program where we have faced barriers to genotyping for conditions like fragile X syndrome. I look forward to emerging technologies that offer comprehensive and affordable solutions that facilitate access to broad types of genetic information in population screening settings.
If you’re not currently an ASHG member, join or renew today to take advantage of the many member benefits offered and keep updated on the latest advances in human genetics and genomics research. Contact membership@ashg.org if you have any questions!