GIDAS

GIDAS (Genes In Diseases And Symptoms)

How to Pronounce: Guide-Us

GIDAS, the high school/college branch of miRcore, is a network of school clubs which works to fulfill miRcore’s outreach to connect the general public with researchers/scientists. GIDAS members study and advocate the importance of genes in health and personalized medicine. You can start a GIDAS chapter in your school after taking our summer camps (scholarship available) and participating in miRcore volunteer program. Annual events include the Genes and Health Contest and High School GIDAS Research Conference.

Last summer in 2021, I participated in the miRcore Biotechnology and Computational summer camps, which was an amazing learning experience, and motivated me to start a Genes in Diseases and Symptoms (GIDAS) Club in my own school with one of my friends. It gave me lots of teaching experience and fun times with my peers.

 

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
  • River Valley Charter 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)
  • Bergen County Academies (NJ)
  • 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)
  • Nazareth Area High School (PA)
  • 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