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Career Development
Opportunity in Genetics and Disease Prevention
CDC/ATSDR/ATPM Cooperative Agreement Project No. TH02.2
Introduction
The Career Development
Opportunity (CDO) in Genetics and Disease Prevention is
a distinct program (Component Two) within the Career Development
in Public Health Research and Practice Program (TH02-16/16)
under the CDC/ATSDR/Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine
(ATPM) Cooperative Agreement.
Background and Purpose
The purpose of the
CDO in Genetics and Disease Prevention is to support professional
development in genetics and disease prevention in an environment
that links academic scholarship and public health practice.
The general eligibility criteria, funding levels, and application
procedures are stated in the document, Guidelines - CDC/ATSDR/ATPM
Career Development in Public Health Research and Practice Program.
The Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention (OGDP) coordinates
and provides oversight of the CDO in Genetics and Disease
Prevention program at CDC.
The
Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention was established
in 1997 to provide an agency-wide coordination of genetics and
disease prevention efforts. This charge involves ensuring
that genetic information is used appropriately and effectively
in public health practice to reduce the risk for disease and
injury among people because of their genetic makeup. In June
2000, the entire human genome was sequenced and more than 10,000
of our estimated 50,000 human genes have been discovered and
more than 700 DNA tests are available in practice. Genes discovered
included those associated with chronic diseases (cancer, cardiovascular
disease), infectious diseases (HIV, malaria), and environmentally-related
conditions. Gene variants, such as those associated with breast
cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and hereditary hemochromatosis,
impact large segments of the population.
Project Description and Areas
of Focus
The CDO in Genetics
and Disease Prevention is a 2 to 3 year opportunity for
career individuals to become proficient in the application of
genetic discoveries in disease prevention and public health.
Each CDO will be located in a Center, Institute, or Office (CIO)
of CDC. The program is multi-disciplinary and includes the biomedical,
behavioral, and environmental aspects of disease prevention
from a national perspective and as practiced at the state and
local levels.
Areas of focus
for the CDO can be general or disease-specific and may include:
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Collecting
genetic-related data to assess the genetic contribution
to disease and disability in different communities, |
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Conducting
population-based studies on gene-environment interactions
to determine modifiable risk factors, |
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Evaluating
data on clinical validity and utility of genetic tests
to recommend appropriate use of genetic information, |
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Evaluating
the quality of the genetic testing process and determining
laboratory performance standards, |
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Participating
in demonstration projects that use genetic information
in disease prevention efforts in communities, |
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Evaluating
policies and legislation to ensure the effective and ethical
use of genetic information, |
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Educating
health professionals in the application of genetics in
disease prevention and public health programs, |
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Conducting
communication research with the general public to develop
targeted messages for using genetics to improve health, |
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Evaluating
the impact of public health genetics programs in reducing
the burden of disease and disability, and |
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Conducting
prevention-effectiveness analysis on using genetic information
in public health programs. |
Additional
Applicant Qualifications
In addition to the
basic eligibility criteria stated in Guidelines - CDC/ATSDR/ATPM
Career Development in Public Health Research & Practice
Program, applicants for the CDO in Genetics and Disease
Prevention must have experience in one or more of the following
fields: human or medical genetics, epidemiology, health policy,
economics, social and behavioral sciences. Applicants must have
a basic understanding of the nation's public health system and
the role of state and local health departments. Desirable
skills and knowledge may vary for each project.
Additional Educational Opportunities
Once selected, Career
Development Awardees (CDA) in Genetics and Disease Prevention
will have the opportunity to utilize numerous data systems and
information resources available to CDC.
CDAs are expected
to:
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Attend
a group orientation conducted by OGDP and participate
in a yearly project briefing; |
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Enroll
in appropriate OGDP-sponsored courses in Genetics
and Disease Prevention; |
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Attend
courses in "Genetic Epidemiology" or in "Human
and Molecular Genetics" (at Emory University), if
needed; |
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Enroll
in other CDC courses, according to the CDA's background
and project needs, to augment career development (e.g.
epidemiology, surveillance, statistics, prevention effectiveness,
molecular biology, program evaluation, health communications,
public health policy); |
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Present
and participate in the monthly Genetic Epi Journal
Club to discuss selected literature or works in progress; |
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Attend
the monthly Genetics Distinguished Speaker Series
on national-level issues; |
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Participate
in the National Genetics and Disease Prevention Meeting; |
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Contribute
to at least one scientific publication and one Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) article; |
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Produce
one or more Human Genome Epidemiology (HuGE) Reviews and
Fact Sheets describing gene-environment interactions; |
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Present
at least one abstract at a national scientific meeting; |
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Serve
as lecturer or lead discussion groups in OGDP-sponsored
courses; and |
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Participate
in activities for enhancing electronic and Web-based communication
and training. |
Application
Procedures
Each year various
projects are available for the CDO in Genetics and Disease
Prevention. Visit the OGDP web
site for a description of available projects, related tasks,
and special qualifications. Applicant information
and materials for the CDC/ATSDR/ATPM Career Development in
Public Health Research & Practice Program may be found
at ATPM's
web site.
To apply, contact:
Vera Schomer, MPH
Association for Teachers of Preventive Medicine
1660 L Street NW, Suite 208, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 463-0550 toll free (866) 474-ATPM vsc@atpm.org
For additional
information about available projects contact:
Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mailstop K-89
4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724
(770) 488-8510
genetics@cdc.gov
The
CDC maintains a smoke-free environment. All applicants receive
equal consideration without regard to race, religion, color,
national origin, political affiliation, age, or any other non-merit
factor.
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