The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences will close its Faculty Lecture Series for fall 2010 with a presentation by Emily Schmitt, Ph.D., associate professor, and Jim Doan, Ph.D., professor in the college. The event, titled “Exploring Identity Through Genetic and Genealogical Research,” will take place on Thursday, Dec. 2, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Parker Building, room 240.
In this presentation, Schmitt and Doan will examine data from student projects in their HONR 1000N Genetics and Genealogy course, taught during winter 2010. As part of a course project, students traced their deep ancestry through mitochondrial and Y-chromosome DNA analysis, as well as more recent ancestry, through the use of genealogical databases and family histories.
Frequently, students were challenged or pleasantly surprised by the information they gleaned. Genetic and genealogical research can provide clues to one’s own identity and ethnic background, as well as potential medical conditions.
The annual Faculty Lecture Series draws from the knowledge and expertise of more than 120 full-time faculty members within the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. The series explores the faculty’s diverse areas of interest in the arts, humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, and biological sciences.
These talks are free and open to the public. For more information on the Faculty Lecture Series, contact Jim Doan, Ph.D., at (954) 262-8207 or visit www.fcas.nova.edu/articles/fls.