By Raquel Leifer, Features Editor
Each month, the YU Observer aims to highlight one club available to the YU undergraduate community. For the February 2023 edition, the YU Observer is highlighting the Genetics Club.
Club Name: Genetics Club
Heads: Gavriella Jutan and Emily Shamah
Relevant Campus(es): Beren Campus
What is your club’s mission statement?:
The Genetics Club at Stern’s goal is to educate and expose students to genetic related topics including: Jewish genetic diseases, screening for genetic diseases, and non-profit organizations dedicated to specific genetic diseases.
Why is this club important?:
This club is important because as Jewish men and women, we must be as educated as much possible in the field of genetics. Unfortunately, there are many genetic diseases that are prevalent in Jewish communities. The more we learn about them, the more we can avoid them and learn how to deal with them. It is also important to stay informed about the genetic advancements taking place in our society to also help us approach genetic diseases.
What inspired you to get involved in/start the club?
We feel it is critical to educate ourselves and others as much as possible about the field of genetics because our genes are what makes us, us. There is so much to learn asthe smallest microscopic event can affect our lives on a massive scale. The field is constantly changing with new and critical discoveries and observations and it is important to educate those around us as these revelations have real-world implications.
What are some things your club has done in the past?:
In past years we have had a JScreen screening. Last year we screened 270 YU students!
What are some plans you have for this semester/future semesters?:
Right now we are performing a toy drive, collecting toys for children’s hospitals with the Women In Health Club. The JScreen events are coming up in February and March at both Beren and Wilf campuses, where we will be offering subsidized testing for all YU students. We are also hoping to bring in genetic counselors and other people in the genetics field to speak to the students about the importance of learning about our genetics.
What is your advice to someone looking to get involved on campus?:
Join our group chat! Reach out to one of us! We would love to hear from you. Sign up to get tested when JScreen comes to campus this semester!