The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) awarded Geneticist-Educator Network of Alliances (GENA) certification to Youngblom in July as part of a National Science Foundation-funded project sponsored by the ASHG and the Genetics Society of America (GSA). Participating professors from all over the nation are required to develop course curricula using novel techniques and assessment of student understanding of human genetics topics.
"Raising students' awareness of the importance of family history and genetic disorders through the development of course curricula is a vital part of the learning process and a key to preventive health measures," Youngblom said. "This project will hopefully open the way for more grant funding to continue important genetics research projects and make family history topics more relevant to students."
Youngblom is working with CSU Stanislaus graduate and Merrill F. West High School of Tracy teacher Jennifer Haut to research student learning and identify genetics topics that are most difficult for students to comprehend. For example, she noted that being aware of family history on high blood pressure can be a key to preventive treatment of the disorder. Youngblom and Haut designed course materials based on the U.S. Surgeon General’s Family History Tool as a method for teaching students about the basic principles involved in patterns of genetic inheritance.
"This is a great achievement for Dr. Youngblom, and together with our new Professional Science Master’s Degree program in Genetic Counseling, brings national recognition in human genetics to our College and University," said Dr. Roger McNeil, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences.
A member of the CSU Stanislaus faculty since 1990 and an acknowledged expert on genetic and DNA topics, Youngblom is preparing to launch the University’s new Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Degree program on August 25. She will serve as Associate Director for the two-year program that will be conducted through a partnership with UC San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and Kaiser Permanente.