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ASHG Announces 2024 Winners of DNA Day Essay Contest

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ASHG announces DNA Day essay contest winner

By john daniels assistant public affairs specialist.

By the time, high school students reach their senior year, they've learned about DNA, RNA and scientific theories about evolution and genetic variation. This year, more than 750 students went beyond those basic biology lessons to find topics they would write about and submit to an international essay contest sponsored by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG).  Held every year, the contest coincides with National DNA Day, which was established by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to commemorate the 1953 discovery of DNA's double helix structure and the 2003 completion of the Human Genome Project. Rachel Gleyzer, a tenth grade student at Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, N.J., took first place this year with her essay on the role genetics and the environment play in absolute pitch (AP), a person's ability to accurately and instantly identify a musical tone's pitch without hearing a preceding reference note. Ms. Gleyzer chose this topic because she wanted to know why some people she knew had AP, but she did not. "I was so happy when I found out I was a finalist in the contest. It was exciting, but a little unexpected," said Ms. Gleyzer, adding that writing the essay was not easy. "I had to read a lot of complex technical information and try to make it interesting and accessible, but it really improved my writing," she said. "It's very important that good scientists are good communicators," said Carol Zepatos, Ms. Gleyzer's biology teacher. "This is a great opportunity for students to hone their technical writing skills." Ms. Zepatos requires all of her biology students to write an essay for the contest. ASHG encourages participation in the contest by marketing it to teachers, rather than to students. Teachers, in turn, equip their students to write the essays by educating their classes on that year's topic. This year, students were asked to identify and describe at least one genetic factor and one environmental factor that contribute to a particular complex trait, such as blood pressure or height. The essays went through three rounds of judging, during which more than 530 ASHG members judged them on accuracy, quality of writing and supporting arguments. The annual contest, which began in 2006, has grown significantly over the past few years. The 750 submissions in this year's contest is more than double the total number since 2009.  All winners are awarded a monetary prize. The teachers of the top three winners receive grants for genetic teaching materials. "The contest helps high school students to not only learn about genetics in the classroom, but it helps them use that knowledge in a meaningful way," said Katherine Lontok, Ph.D., ASHG's educational programs manager.  "We were glad to see so many great essays from students who have a passion for genetics." Ms. Gleyzer hopes to turn her passion into a career that combines molecular biology with the humanities. "I want to take the skills I'd learn in a lab and be more creative with them," she said. For high school students thinking about entering next year's contest, she said, "Go for it! It'll pay off in the future. Just because something's challenging doesn't mean it's not worth doing."

Congratulations to this year's essay contest winners:

Honorable mention.

Arwa Abdelhamid , Staten Island Technical High School in Staten Island, N.Y. . Samantha Burns , Lely High School in Naples, Fla. Vivien Chen , Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Md Hussein Elghazaly , El Alsson British & American International School in Haraniya, Giza Lucas Lin , Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va. Sangho Myung , Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md. Rosie Nagele , Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, Pa. Allison Rerick , Staten Island Technical High School in Staten Island, N.Y. Karl Tayeb , Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, N.J. Eytan Weinstein , Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim in Jerusalem, Israel The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) will celebrate National DNA Day at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., from Saturday, April 26 to Sunday, April 27. For more information go to: http://www.genome.gov/DNADay . Attendees will be able to participate in family-friendly activities on genetics and DNA with NHGRI staff and volunteers. NHGRI will also post on the National DNA Day Facebook and Twitter pages from the festival.

Posted: April 25, 2014

Last updated: April 25, 2014

Log in to the ASHG Portal to submit or view your submission. 

Welcome to the 14th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest submission site!

The deadline to submit all essays is  Friday, March 8, 2019 at 5:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time

Keep in mind the following:

• You will need to create a profile in the ASHG web portal to submit an essay. You will be taken to the sign in page when you click "Submit Student Essays" (below) or "Login with ASHG" (to the left).  If you are already an ASHG member, please use your membership login information. Login instructions are provided , if needed. 
• Only classroom teachers or primary instructors of home-schooled students may submit student essays.
• All essays must be written in English and are limited to 750 words. Word count includes essay titles and in-text citations, but does not include reference lists.
• Do not include your student's name or any identifying information in their essay. 
• Each teacher is limited to submitting SIX student essays per class, for up to THREE classes.
• One entry may be submitted per student.

Submit Student Essay

2019 Question

Jonathan, age 50, has just been diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD). His genetic counselor, Karen, seeks Jonathan’s consent to disclose this diagnosis to his daughter, Sarah, who is 25. Jonathan refuses to allow Karen or anyone else on the medical staff to reveal this diagnosis to Sarah. (1) Present arguments for and against Jonathan's position by discussing the relevant goals, rights, and duties of each of the parties in this case. (2) Then choose one argument to defend, using your knowledge of the scientific and medical aspects of HD.  This reading  includes explanations of these three categories involved in making a difficult decision. Be certain to use your knowledge of the scientific and medical aspects of HD to support your views.

For more information about the DNA Day Essay Contest, visit our website .  Questions: Email Evelyn Mantegani at [email protected]

DNA Day Essay Contest

Ages: High School

Type: Submission

Scope: International

Evelyn Mantegani [email protected] 301-634-7351

Participate

National DNA Day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953. Teachers and students around the world are encouraged to celebrate by participating in the American Society of Human Genetics' (ASHG) annual DNA Day Essay Contest! The question each year aims to cover a current topic in genetics that may not be covered in biology class. Students are encouraged to work with their science and language arts teachers. Essays should be 750 words maximum. Winners and honorable mentions are announced on Friday, April 24, 2020.

This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics. Essays are expected to be well-reasoned arguments indicative of a depth of understanding of the concepts related to the essay question.

2020 Question

• Essays must be the product of an individual student's work;  group submissions are not permitted .
• All essays must be written in  English  and are limited to  750 words . Word count includes in-text citations, but does not include reference lists.
• Essay titles are optional and  will  be counted towards the word limit.
• Word count is best determined by Microsoft Word's count. The submission page will give an official word count when submitters enter the essay.
• Essays should  not  include a student's name.
• Essays must include  at least one reference . References must be clearly documented with both in-text citations and in the references list (the reference list should be separately entered into the "References" section of the submission page). Students may use either  APA  or  MLA  style citations. There is no restriction on how many references students may use. However, please keep in mind that students should avoid having too many references, as we want to know the student's opinion on the question and not the opinion of the student's sources.
• Low quality sources  = Wikipedia.
• High quality sources  = Research journals (for example, from  PubMed )

Website: http://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml

Managing Organization: American Society of Human Genetics

Contact: Evelyn Mantegani [email protected] 301-634-7351

Eligibility: Essays that will be accepted must be submitted by a teacher and written by high school students (grades 9-12) in the U.S. and internationally.

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ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest

Eligibility.

• Must be submitted by a teacher and written by high school students (grades 9-12) in the U.S. and internationally.

More Details

How to Apply

All essays must be written in English and are limited to 750 words. Essays must include at least one reference.

• Many human diseases have a genetic component. Some diseases result from a change in a single gene or even multiple genes. Yet, many diseases are complex and stem from an interaction between genes and the environment. Environmental factors may include chemicals in the air or water, nutrition, microbes, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and social context. Provide an example of how the interplay of genetics and environment can shape human health.
• Complete the online application.

The application and submission guidelines can be found on the scholarship’s website.

Deadline: 03/06/2024

Amount: Amounts Vary

Online Application Available

Contact information:

• http://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml
• [email protected]

Summer II 2024 Application Deadline is June 26, 2024.  

Click here to apply.

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10 Amazing Tips to Help You Win ASHG's DNA Day Essay Contest

Participating in international essay contests can be a valuable experience as a high school student, providing you with an opportunity to showcase your writing skills, critical thinking abilities, and knowledge on specific subjects. Beyond the intrinsic rewards of intellectual growth and self-expression, such contests can also significantly boost a student's profile when applying to college. Colleges and universities often look for well-rounded individuals who have demonstrated excellence in various aspects of their academic and extracurricular pursuits, and winning an essay contest is a compelling testament to a student's intellectual passions.

One prominent essay contest that not only offers students a chance to demonstrate their abilities in writing but also potentially win prizes ranging from $1,000 to $100 is the DNA Essay Contest .   In this article, we will explore the structure, costs, prompt, eligibility, and other essential information about the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest. We'll also share 10 valuable tips that’ll help you put your best foot forward and hopefully win the contest! 

What is the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest?

The ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest is an annual contest organized by the American Society of Human Genetics . This contest aims to encourage high school students to explore and reflect on the advancements, implications, and ethical considerations of genetics. It provides a platform for students to express their thoughts on how genetics shapes our world and influences various aspects of our lives.

Teachers and students around the world are encouraged to celebrate “DNA Day” by participating in the American Society of Human Genetics' (ASHG) annual DNA Day Essay Contest. The essay question each year aims to cover a current topic in genetics that may not be covered in typical biology classes.

Structure of the contest

The contest involves submitting an essay on a specific prompt related to genetics that is updated annually. Participants are required to craft an original, well-researched, and thought-provoking essay that addresses the given topic. The essays are evaluated by a panel of experts in genetics and related fields.

How you will be judged

What are the reviewers looking for when evaluating the essays? The following rubric will give you a sense of how the essays are scored. 

The overall accuracy of the science content: 0-6

Use of evidence in support of an argument/answer; essay well-focused on the question/topic selected: 0-6

Writing quality (clear thesis, composition, grammar, syntax, spelling: 0-5

References and citations (quality and appropriateness): 0-3

Total Points: 0-20

One of the appealing aspects of the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest is that it is free to enter. This inclusivity ensures that students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can participate without any financial barriers. This aligns with the organization's commitment to promoting education and awareness in the field of human genetics.

What are the prizes?

The prizes range from $100 - 1000 dollars. 

$1,000 + $1,000 genetics materials grant for 1st Place Winner

$600 + $600 genetics materials grant for 2nd Place Winner

$400 + $400 genetics materials grant for 3rd Place Winner

$100 each for Honorable Mentions 10 students

The essay prompt for the contest varies each year, challenging participants to think critically about different aspects of genetics. The prompt is carefully crafted to encourage students to explore scientific concepts, ethical dilemmas, and societal implications related to genetics. It is crucial for participants to thoroughly understand and address the specific components of the prompt in their essays.

To give you a sense of the types of prompts typical of the DNA essay contest, the 2024 prompt is the following:

Many human diseases have a genetic component. Some diseases result from a change in a single gene or even multiple genes. Yet, many diseases are complex and stem from an interaction between genes and the environment. Environmental factors may include chemicals in the air or water, nutrition, microbes, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and social context. Provide an example of how the interplay of genetics and environment can shape human health.

Eligibility

The contest is open to high school students around the world. Participants must be in grades 9-12 and submit their essays by the specified deadline. 

The competition is not limited to students studying biology or genetics; students from diverse academic backgrounds are encouraged to participate. This inclusivity allows for a broad range of perspectives and insights, enriching the overall quality of the submissions.

Application Information and timelines

In early January the submission site opens and in early March 2024 the submission site closes. On April 25, 2024, DNA Day, the winners and honorable mentions are announced. To enter the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest, students need to visit the official contest website to get the most up-to-date information. The application process is streamlined and user-friendly, ensuring that students can easily navigate through the requirements and submit their essays electronically.

Now that we have covered the fundamental aspects of the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest, let's look at 10 tips that can significantly enhance your chances of winning:

Don’t overemphasize the details

Avoid sweeping overstatements in your essay

Avoid inaccuracy in technical language

Utilize in-text citations

Don’tuse of out-of-date references

Avoid excessive reliance on quotes

Address ethical considerations in your essay

  Avoid any inconsistency in your argumentation

Don’t ignore counterarguments - address them

Seek references from past essays and pay attention to the formatting guidelines

Participating in the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest will provide you with a unique opportunity to explore the intricate world of genetics while honing your writing and critical thinking skills. By following the 10 tips outlined in this article, aspiring participants will enhance their chances of creating a compelling and winning essay. From thorough research and utilization of official resources to incorporating personal reflections and addressing ethical considerations, these tips are designed to guide you toward success in this prestigious competition.

As you embark on your essay-writing journey, remember that each entry is not just a chance to win but also an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding genetics and its profound impact on our world. This is an opportunity that you can use to reflect on with mentors in high school and in your future college admissions process. 

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are passionate about research in biology and other STEM subjects, you could also consider applying to the   Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online program for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the   application form  here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: ASHG's DNA Day Essay Contest 2023 logo

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Realizing the benefits of human genetics and genomics research for people everywhere.

2024 ACGT Hill Day Reflections

In May 2024, ASHG hosted a fourth year of virtual advocacy meetings with policymakers on Capitol Hill. Over the course of a week, participants in the   2024 cohort of the Advocacy Certificate for Human Genetics and Genomics Trainees (ACGT) program  joined members of past   ACGT   cohorts and members of the   Government and Public Advocacy Committee (GPAC)   in meetings with 15 congressional offices. ASHG advocates shared the importance of continued support for human genetics and genomics research, advocating for NIH funding and sharing ASHG’s key policy priorities . Read more about the ASHG virtual Capitol Hill Meetings in the summer edition of The Messenger .

ASHG’s virtual Capitol Hill Meetings event was organized by the GPAC as part of the Board-approved Action Plan . As a GPAC-led initiative, Hill Meetings participation is a key feature of the ACGT program. Read the below reflections from the 2024 ACGT cohort describing their experiences participating in ASHG’s 2024 Hill Meetings including what they learned, what they found surprising, and how their participation in this event instilled confidence in their ability to advocate for human genetics and genomics.

“Signing into the ASHG virtual Capitol Hill meetings, I’ll admit I was nervous and didn’t know exactly what to expect. Once the meetings started, though, I was surprised how easy it was to talk to the staffers about the importance of our NIH-funded graduate programs and public studies, like NIH’s All of Us. While there is a lot of work to be done to secure adequate NIH funding, the ACGT program and these ASHG Hill Days have helped prepare me to be a more engaged advocate in the future.” – Mary Hackbarth

“Participating in the 2024 Virtual Hill Event was an invaluable experience, allowing me to directly engage with policymakers and emphasize the critical need for NIH funding. I particularly appreciated the openness and support from the legislative staff, which reinforced my commitment to continue advocating for the essential resources our scientific community requires to thrive.” -Rodrigo Mendez

“Participating in Hill Meetings was an illuminating and exciting experience. I got to speak about my research and the general importance of national research initiatives, like the NIH Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, with offices of my Senators and Representatives. It was also inspiring to hear all the advances in genetics that others are working towards to benefit the health of Americans and the world at large. Now that I understand how these meetings work, I hope to continue engaging in advocacy throughout my career.” – Lydia Rader

“At the ASHG Virtual Hill Meetings I spoke with policymakers about how genetics research and their advances have a huge impact on the care, counseling and education I’ll be providing to patients and their families. As someone with no prior experience with formal advocacy activities, I, at first, felt intimidated! However, engaging in these conversations helped me better understand and appreciate how vital these meetings are in helping improve the health and well-being of society.” – Kathy Rosales

“Hill Day 2024 gave me an opportunity to work towards one of my goals during my PhD, to strengthen my scientific communication skills to people with varying scientific knowledge. My favorite part was when one of the representatives was able to connect on a personal level with my area of research. The genuine gratitude that each representative expressed for the time and effort that we spend in improving human health reinvigorated my passion for science and is something that I will keep in mind throughout my journey as a scientist.” – Miriam Saffern

“Participating in Hill Meetings for the first time was an exciting experience! I was especially thrilled to speak with the legislative assistant of my representative, highlighting the relevance of NIH funding for my own genomic research. Overall, it was rewarding to advocate for increased funding for science to encourage the advancement of genomic scientific discovery and improve health outcomes for all populations.” – Larah Siouffey

“Participating in Hill Meetings provided a platform to communicate with legislators and share our personal stories and experiences within the genetics research field. I was pleasantly surprised by officials’ genuine interest in our accounts regarding government funding and its impact, as well as their eagerness to hear about our work in genetics research. This experience not only allowed me to advocate for funding but also made me feel like I was playing a meaningful role in raising awareness and making a difference for those affected by ataxia.” – Guinevere Spurdens

“The opportunity to participate in the ASHG’s Hill Meetings was an invaluable chance to gain a deeper understanding of the priorities and concerns of policymakers as well as a unique opportunity to share our work and thoughts on important topics. It was also inspiring to see the passion that the congressional offices had to support NIH research and learn about the efforts being made within the scientific community to increase diversity in genomics research and for funding rare disease research.” – JJ Waldo

“I greatly enjoyed meeting with congressional offices as it allowed me to understand the bigger picture of our research and why it has real-world impact. The experience also helped me learn how to communicate complex scientific concepts more effectively to general audiences. The opportunity to network and learn more about region-specific statistics related to human genetics and genomics research will be tremendously beneficial for my own work and career development moving forward.” – Diya Yang

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Log in to the ASHG Portal to submit or view your submission. 

Welcome to the 2023 DNA Day Essay Contest submission site!

Submission deadline is March 1, 2023 at 11:59 pm U.S. Eastern Time

Submission Instructions

• If you HAVE submitted an essay since 2019, please use these instructions
• If you HAVE NOT  submitted an essay after 2019, please use these instructions
• Review a blank submission form   to prepare your submission

What You Need to Know Before You Submit

• Teachers should create an account and submit the essay for each student. This can be any teacher at the current school of the student.
• The contest is open to high school students (grades 9-12) in the U.S. and internationally
• Essays must be in English and no more than 750 words. Word count includes in-text citations, but not reference lists.
• Essays must include at least one reference. 

SUBMIT ESSAY HERE

For more information about the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest, visit the contest homepage . 

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

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Submit Your Essays to the 2023 DNA Day Essay Contest! ＼(^o^)／

What is the ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest?

It is a contest open to high school students around the world. Each year, students are asked to examine, question, and reflect on an important topic in genetics by writing a 750-word essay. Human genetics experts evaluate each submission and may even provide feedback to help you improve. Submission is free, and there is a chance to win up to $1,000!

2023 ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest Information:

Prizes : Three winners will receive up to $1,000 and a matching lab equipment grant, 10 honorable mentions will win $100 each. All winners and honorable mentions are announced on the Essay Contest website, ASHG’s social media platforms, and in their local media outlets.

Eligibility : All high school students

Submission Process : Teachers must submit student essays online.

Due Date : Early March 2023

More details on the competition and how to apply: biolympiads[.]com/submit-your-essays-to-the-2023-dna-day-essay-contest/.

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ASHG Continues Its Support of DNA Day

April 25th marked the fifth celebration of National DNA Day. Together with the National Human Genome Research Institute, the Genetics Society of America, and the National Society of Genetic Counselors, ASHG sponsored multiple activities around DNA Day.

Traditionally, we support members of the Mentor Network ( http://www.genednet.org/pages/k12_mentor.shtml ) in their visits to local K–12 classrooms to discuss genetics with teachers and students. This year, we have dozens of mentors providing talks all over the country. North Carolina and Georgia have both requested many speakers, so we hope to find opportunities for all our mentors in those states.

Last year, ASHG partnered with Applied Biosystems, an Applera Corporation business, to support an essay contest for middle and high school students. This year, they have supported the contest again, providing funding for awards for teachers and students, buttons and T-shirts with the new DNA Day logos, and five summer internships for winning students. This internship program is a new addition to the essay contest this year. Applied Biosystems will support up to five students with exemplary essays to do a paid ($2,000.00) summer internship in a local laboratory. We are currently working with ASHG and GSA members to identify potential laboratories, projects, and mentors for these outstanding students, and we thank those members who have already agreed to serve in this capacity. The names of the student interns and the laboratories where they will complete projects are available online.

This year, we had essays from 41 different states and six different countries (only 27 states and three countries were represented last year). More than 320 classrooms participated in the essay contest. Winning essays on two different questions are currently online ( http://www.genednet.org/pages/k12_dnaday07winners.shtml ). The selection progress was a rigorous one, involving more than 120 different members of the collaborating societies to read and score almost 1,000 essays. Ten judges each skimmed 50–100 essays to identify 400 semifinalist essays. Each of these semifinalists was scored by three more judges using a detailed rubric. The top 10 essays for each question were then screened and scored by nine additional individuals in order to award prizes. The winning essays combined the personal touch of the students, many of whom have experienced first-hand the role of genetics and genomics, with clearly conceived and worded essays that we are proud to honor this year.

Over the past 2 years, ASHG has collected almost 2,500 essays from students. They reveal that, while a considerable number of students and teachers understand the value, the power, and the limitations of genetics and genomics research, a significant number of essays reflect the “genohype” that is pervasive in society. The number of students that suggested the future of genetics is in eugenics and designer babies was suggestive that we, as scientists, clearly have a long way to go in educating the public about what really is the nature of our work. This “reality check” was offset by the number of essays that accurately and effective described the students’ hope that genetic research ongoing in ASHG members' laboratories today will provide them with new diagnostics, new treatments, and new cures for disease.

We are already beginning to prepare for DNA Day 2008 and are looking to expand our programs. Next year, we will have two essay contests: one for middle school students (grades 6–8) and one for high school students (grades 9–12). The middle school contest will be sponsored by the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology. We would like to thank Applied Biosystems and our judges and members of the ASHG Mentor Network who served ASHG in all our efforts surrounding National DNA Day 2007. If you would like to be more involved next year, please contact Kenna Shaw ( gro.ghsa@wahsk ).