Nursing professor accepted to NIH genetics institute Lek Seal, assistant professor at the College of Nursing, has been selected to participate in the Summer Genetics Institute 2008, sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Summer Genetics Institute is an intensive, two-month summer research training program designed to provide a foundation in molecular genetics for use in research and clinical practice. The purpose is to develop and expand the research capability among graduate students and faculty in schools of nursing, and to develop and expand the basis for clinical practice in genetics among advanced practice nurses. “This is an honor and a wonderful opportunity to be prepared for cutting-edge science,” said Seal’s department chair, Liz Tyree. “We are on the verge of dramatic developments in the prevention and pre-emption of disease based on individuals' genetic make-up. This training will also connect with the behavioral mission of our new research building at UND.” The program features both classroom and laboratory components and participants spend two months in residence at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Graduates of the program receive 12 hours of doctoral-level college credit awarded through Georgetown University. The first SGI was held on the NIH campus during the summer of 2000. Since that time, there have been 139 graduates of the program. To date, they have published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers, and presented at numerous national and international conferences. Dr. Seal received both her BSN and MSN from Mahidol University in Thailand and her Ph.D. from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Seal’s research interests include prevention of childhood obesity and obesity related disease, families with an individual with chronic illness, women’s health, environment health, health risk behaviors in children and youth, and health promotion. The National Institutes of Health, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. Helping to lead the way toward important medical discoveries that improve people’s health and save lives, NIH scientists investigate ways to prevent disease as well as the causes, treatments, and even cures for common and rare diseases. -- Becky Cournia, Alumni & Development Officer, Nursing, beckycournia@mail.und.edu, 777-4526