GIDAS (Genes In Diseases And Symptoms)
How to Pronounce: Guide-Us
GIDAS is the high school branch of miRcore. It connects a network of school clubs which works to fulfill miRcore’s outreach goals and aims to connect the general public with researchers/scientists. GIDAS members continue to study and advocate the importance of genes in health and personalized medicine.
Current High School GIDAS chapters:
Michigan
- Bloomfield Hills High School
- Clarkston High School
- Community High School
- Cranbrook School
- Detroit Country Day School
- Farmington High School
- Forest Hills Eastern High School
- Greenhills School
- Huron High School
- International Academy Central
- International Academy East
- Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center
- Liggett High School
- Northville High School
- Novi High School
- Okemos High School
- Pioneer High School
- Plymouth Canton Educational Park
- Saline High School
- Skyline High School
- Stoney Creek High School
- Troy High School
- Washtenaw International High School
- Washtenaw Technical Middle College
- West Bloomfield High School
California
- BASIS Independent Silicon Valley
- Bishop’s High School
- Canyon Crest Academy
- Folsom High School
- Fremont High School
- Patrick Henry High School
- Palisades Charter High School
- San Dieguito High School Academy
- Scripps Ranch High School
- Westview High School
Illinois
- Glenbrook North High School
- Naperville Central High School
Other Regions
- BASIS Scottsdale (AZ)
- Brookwood High School (GA)
- Buchholz High School (FL)
- Duncan U. Fletcher High School (FL)
- Fulton Science Academy (GA)
- Garden City High School (NJ)
- Interlake High School (WA)
- McLean High School (VA)
- North Central High School (WA)
- Ravenscroft School (NC)
- Rye Neck High School (NY)
- Seven Hills High School (OH)
- Summit Country Day School (OH)
- Thomas Jefferson High School (VA)
- West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School (IN)
- Westover School (CT)
- William Mason High School (OH)
Current organized University GIDAS chapter:
University of Michigan
-Mentoring group for high school GIDAS activities
-Organizing the “Genes and Health” contest
-Helping Lab on Wheels program and summer camps
Objectives:
- Understand “we can change gene expression™”
- Vote on a disease of focus, study it, and advocate for its genetic research
- Promote recognition of the disease of focus through diverse activities
- Recruit guest speakers on a chosen disease for assemblies
- Fundraising for micro grants (https://www.mircore.org/microgrants/)
- Participate in a Genes and Health contest based on knowledge of genomics and diseases
- Participate in a Science Fair and write/review a paper or abstract on the disease of focus
- Prepare for the emerging era of medical genomics
- Pursue volunteering activities at organizations related to the disease of focus
What Will GIDAS Members Gain?
- Knowledge of how our gene expressions change due to environmental factors such as exercise, food consumption, substance abuse, and medication
- Recognition of how much we can improve our health, mental ability, and emotional state through adjustments in environment and behavior
- How to prevent age-related diseases through understanding environmental and behavioral effects
- Compassion for people with diseases through understanding genetic effects on the mind and body
- Volunteering experience, good habits of study, advocacy of personalized medicine, and how to be good role models for others
- Recognition of aptitudes relevant to choosing a major in health and medicine