#117 Dr. Janina Jeff on African Genomes

This episode continues the crossover series with other podcasts. Joining the show is Dr. Janina Jeff, who is a Human Geneticist and the first African American to graduate with a PhD in Human Genetics from Vanderbilt University. She is currently a Senior Scientist at Illumina, a biotech company that creates technology for companies such as Ancestry.com and 23&Me. Her research career was focused on population genetics, specifically studying admixed populations (descendants with African ancestry) and discovering population specific genetic risk factors of common disease. Her podcast, “In Those Genes”, is a hip-hop inspired show that uses genetics to uncover the lost identities of African Americans.

On This Episode We Discuss:

Inspiration to pursue genetics career

Diversity advancing research

Unique aspects of African genomes

Disparity of health and medicine in Non-European populations

Ancestry’s Horrendeous Advertisement Romantizing Slavery

Dr. Jeff’s 46 Chromosomes and a Mule Article

Real Cost of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

Becoming the Primary Shareholders of our Genetic Information

Dr. Jeff’s TEDtalk

“In Those Genes” Podcast

Dr. Janina Jeff won Spotify’s “Sounds Up Bootcamp” which helped to launch her new podcast, “In Those Genes” available on Spotify, Apple and all major podcasting apps. Or you can go straight to their website, Twitter, or Instagram (@inthosegenes).

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today. New episodes are released on the first Friday of the month with some bonus episode thrown in there. See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and iTunes. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNApodcast.com.