Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

From 2013-2015, I worked as a volunteer docent and tour guide at the Smithsonian’s exhibition “Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.” The exhibit celebrated the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA and the 10th anniversary of the successful sequencing of the human genome. In tours for the general public, I highlighted the forces that led to the advent of personalized medicine and the ways scientists map biodiversity in the natural world. Working in the nation’s capital gave me a deeper appreciation for the fact that the two-billion-dollar, 20-year investment by the U.S. government in the Human Genome Project ultimately gave rise to the sequencing industry, which now has an annual valuation several times that amount. My conversations with curious visitors reinforced my commitment to considering the public's interests and concerns in my pursuit of scientific discovery.