Genetic Ancestry Reveal Event
Tracing the deep genetic ancestry of 200 Cornell undergraduates
Thursday April 14th at 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Hosted by Prof. Charles Aquadro, Director of the Project and of the Cornell Center for Comparative and Population Genomics.
Featuring Dr. Spencer Wells, Director, Genographic Project, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society, and Frank H.T. Rhodes Class of '56 Professor at Cornell
In the 2009 National Geographic Documentary, "The Human Family Tree", Dr. Wells and the Genographic Project tested the DNA of 200 Queens, NY, residents from a single day in a single city block and found it to represent all of humanity's ancient migratory paths. Today, you will learn if 200 randomly chosen Cornell Undergraduate student volunteers also represent all of humanity's migratory paths via genetic information gathered from a DNA cheek swab sample collected February 1, 2011 here on campus. Hear a summary of the analyses of the lineages and migration stories revealed in their DNA, and how they fit into the picture of humanity's migration history. Hear from some of the students as to why they chose to become involved, what they learned, and some of the fascinating personal stories that are revealed.
Book signing opportunity with Spencer Wells immediately following the event at 5:30 pm.
Contact for additional information: Chip Aquadro (CFA1@cornell.edu)
View a short introductory video (4/14/2011 version) by Cornell undergraduate students Kai Keane, Theresa Wynn, Kate Summers and Charlotte Bruce from Marilyn Rivchin's Cornell FILM 3771's class documentary-in-progress about Cornell's Genetic Ancestry Project (older version is available here). Filmed at and as a follow-up to Cornell's Genetic Ancestry DNA Sampling Event, held Feb 1, 2011, including clips from some of the Cornell undergraduate volunteers who participated in the random DNA sampling of 200 students.
Video of the Cornell Genetic Ancestry Project Reveal Event, 4/14/2011
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"The Human Family Tree"
Wed. April 13th at 4:45pm, a special free viewing
Cornell Cinema, Willard Straight Hall
Follow Spencer Wells of National Geographic’s Genographic Project as he traces the genetic ancestry roots of a small group of strangers from Queens, New York, back to the “cradle of humanity” using their DNA. (60 minute version of the documentary will be shown, followed by followed by a Q&A and book signing with Dr. Spencer Wells, Director of National Geographic's Genographic Project.
(http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-family-tree-3706-interactive)
And remember to join us at Cornell's Genetic Ancestry Project "Ancestry Reveal" at 4:30 pm on April 14th in Call Auditorium, when the deep genetic ancestry of 200 Cornell undergraduates will be revealed by analysis of their DNA.
Contact for additional information: Chip Aquadro (CFA1@cornell.edu)
"The Human Family Tree"
Tues. March 15th at 5:30pm for dinner, discussion, and a special free viewing (RPCC Auditorium)
Follow Spencer Wells of National Geographic’s Genographic Project as he traces the roots of a small group of strangers from Queens, New York, back to the “cradle of humanity” using their DNA.
(http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-family-tree-3706-interactive)
Following the screening, talk with Professor Chip Aquadro, Director of Cornell’s Genetic Ancestry Project, about this documentary and learn about what's to come April 14th, in Call Auditorium at 4:30 pm, where you learn what Cornell's Genetic Ancestry Project's study of 200 Cornell undergraduates reveals about their deep genetic ancestry from the analysis of their DNA.
Dinner will be provided.
Sponsored by The High Rises; Mews Hall; the Carol Tatkon Center, Office of the Provost and Office of the Dean of Students; the Cornell University Genetic Ancestry Project of the Cornell Center for Comparative and Population Genomics (http://3cpg.cornell.edu/GeneticAncestry), and National Geographic
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Kick-off Event February 1, 2011
4:30 pm in Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, Ithaca, NY
Hosted by Prof. Charles Aquadro
Director of the Project and of the Cornell Center for Comparative and Population Genomics,
and by National Geographic's Genographic Project
Featuring Dr. Spencer Wells, Director, Genographic Project, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society, and Frank H.T. Rhodes Class of '56 Professor at Cornell
Who are we? And where do we come from? The story of humanity’s journey can be found within each of us—encoded in our DNA. In the 2009 National Geographic Documentary, "The Human Family Tree", Dr. Wells and the Genographic Project tested the DNA of 200 Queens, NY, residents from a single day in a single city block and found it to represent all of humanity's ancient migratory paths. A goal of today's event is to see if 200 Cornell Undergraduate student volunteers can also represent all of humanity's migratory paths via genetic information gathered from a DNA cheek swab sample today, and analyzed by Dr. Wells and the Genographic Project in the coming two months.
At a "Reveal Event" on Thursday April 14, 2011, Dr. Wells will present a public lecture summarizing the analyses of the lineages and migration stories revealed in DNA of the Cornell student and campus volunteers and how the fit into the picture of humanity's migration history.
These two events form the centerpieces of a the semester-long Cornell University Genetic Ancestry Project organized by Dr. Chip Aquadro, Cornell Professor and Director of the Center of Comparative and Population Genomics for the Cornell community to learn about and share in the discussion of the promise, challenges, risks, limitations and science behind genetic testing for ancestry, as well as the diverse social, legal and ethical implications raised by its use. An important goal is to foster respect for cultural diversity and viewpoints, while highlighting humanity's underlying genetic similarity. Read an overview of the Project and Feb 1 Event in the Cornell Chronicle Online.
Cornell undergraduates who wish to enter their names into the pool from which 200 will be randomly selected for participation and sampling will need to register on-line here. The registration is now CLOSED. It opened 2:00 pm on Sunday January 30th, we had 116 register in the first 15 minutes, and by very early on Feb 1 we have 627 who have registered. 200 students have now been notified, with a list of alternates also notified. Students MUST be present to be sampled today, and no-shows will be replaced by students from the alternate list, and possibly from volunteers who remain at the event. Thank you for your interest!
Those randomly selected will be contacted by email with further information. If you are interested in being included, please see the event Q&A for more information on what being a sponsored undergraduate participant means. Please also read the detailed Terms and Conditions of participation for this event. Kits will also be available for sale at the event price of $99.95 (with no extra shipping/handling fee) at the Cornell Campus Store on Wednesday February 2nd.
National Geographic will analyze your DNA to determine what migratory routes your deep ancestors followed and to which branch of the Phylogenetic tree you belong.
THE TESTS DO NOT TELL YOU OR US ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, DISEASE RESISTANCE, OR ABOUT ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS YOU (OR YOUR FAMILY) MAY HAVE.
The Cornell Campus and Ithaca Community is also encouraged to participate, through the purchase of Genographic Project Public Participation Kits at the event after the lecture, and at the event price at the Cornell Campus Store starting on Wednesday February 2nd (public participation kits will remain on sale for this same price at the Campus Store through the April "Ancestry Reveal Event" here on campus).
Both events are free and open to the public. Spencer's books will also be available for sale immediately before and after the event in the Call Auditorium Atrium, as well as at the Cornell Campus Store over the following weeks.
A list of "Questions & Answers" for the February 1 Cornell event is available here.
Check back to this website for updates on events associated to and related to the Cornell University Genetic Ancestry Project.
Support for these and related events generously provided by the Center for Comparative and Population Genomics, Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, F.H.T. Rhodes Class of '56 Professorship, Charles A. Alexander Professorship in Biological Sciences, Africana Studies & Research Center, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, Graduate School, Office of Undergraduate Research, Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers, Cognitive Science Program, Institute for Social Sciences, Center for Inequality Studies, Cornell Communications Office, and National Geographic.
