1. Sequencing My Experience: Research with the HBHE Genetics Group
Archana Bharadwaj
(barchana@umich.edu)
Setting: I served as an intern with the UM HBHE Genetics Group, which is an interdisciplinary research group with a
mission to improve the understanding of the social and behavioral implications of integrating genetics and genomics
discoveries into public health and medicine. Under HBHE faculty member Dr. Scott Roberts and project manager Lan Le,
I worked on two NIH funded projects examining ethical and health communications challenges involved in the use of
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in a clinical context.
Objectives: To gain critical exposure to precision medicine, and to grapple with the public health and medical ethics
and the communication challenges raised in implementing WGS informed consent in a clinical context.
Activities/Outputs: Over the course of my internship, I assisted with literature reviews, survey development and grant
submission; conducted in-person informed consent visits; and assisted with data collection, data cleaning and data
entry. I worked on a manuscript examining informed consent related to patient understanding of whole genome
sequencing, which I will complete as part of an independent research study this semester.
Lessons Learned :
Practical Skills - I came to appreciate the attention for detail and intricate project management skills required for
successful grant submission.
Conceptual Understanding - My work on the WGS projects gave me insight into the communication struggles that often
result from the knowledge disparities between patients and their healthcare providers; difficulties in maintaining open
accessible lines of communication in a burdened healthcare system; and the blurred boundaries of clinical care and
research in a complex field.
Organization/Company: UM HBHE Genetics Group
Location:Ann Arbor, MI Please Select
Supervisor/Preceptor: Dr. Scott Roberts and Lan Le
How did you identify this internship? I was encouraged to reach out to Dr. Roberts by former Director of Internships
and Alumni Relations, Nancy Willard. After meeting with Dr. Roberts and learning more about his work, I realized that
an internship with him would be a phenomenal opportunity.
Were you compensated for your internship? No
Did you receive outside funding for this internship? Yes
If yes, from what sources? I received funding from the Certificate Program in Human Genetics.
Would you recommend this internship to someone else? Yes
Why or why not?? Yes, Dr. Roberts and Lan Le provide a structured but flexible opportunity to gain exposure to the
different facets of research.