Genetic Alliance Names Sharon Kardia, PhD, as New Council Member

WASHINGTON – December 1, 2008 – Genetic Alliance is pleased to announce that Sharon Kardia, Ph.D., has joined the Genetic Alliance Council (formerly known as the Board of Directors). Dr. Kardia is a leading researcher and advocate within the genetics community, and has been for nearly two decades. Her professional experiences and enthusiasm for openness align with Genetic Alliance’s mission.

“Sharon has a profound sense of openness; as we strive to dissolve boundaries and transform health through genetics, she will propel us forward,” said Sharon Terry, President and CEO of Genetic Alliance. “This addition to the Council constitutes the beginning of a new phase in the life of Genetic Alliance, one we mark with great enthusiasm.”

The Council is the result of the transformation of the Board of Directors that has served Genetic Alliance well for the last 22 years. Principles of the Council include: openness, presence, transparency, disruption, participation, diversity, collaboration, accountability and discernment. In addition to performing all of the duties of a typical board, the Council enables each individual to commit to transformation on all levels, leading to a vital and dynamic channel for organizational growth.

Dr. Kardia is a professor at the University of Michigan, where she is Chair of the Department of Epidemiology. She is also the Director of the Public Health Genetics Program in the School of Public Health. Dr. Kardia has published over 120 peer-reviewed publications. In her research, she develops strategies to uncover the complex relationship between genetic variation, environmental variation, and risk of common chronic diseases.

Dr. Kardia graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. She also earned a master’s degree in statistics and a doctorate in human genetics from the University of Michigan.

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About Genetic Alliance
Genetic Alliance transforms health through genetics, promoting an environment of openness centered on the health of individuals, families, and communities. Genetic Alliance brings together diverse stakeholders that create novel partnerships in advocacy; integrates individual, family, and community perspectives to improve health systems; and revolutionizes access to information to enable translation of research into services and individualized decision making. For more information about Genetic Alliance, visit http://www.geneticalliance.org.