GIDAS

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
  • 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)
  • 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