ASHG President Susan Slaugenhaupt Calls for Hope, Leadership, and Communication in Science

The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) conference in Montreal began with a presidential address by Susan Slaugenhaupt, PhD, Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and ASHG President. Slaugenhaupt began her speech by acknowledging the difficulty of delivering a presidential address and noted that people needed a message of hope. She emphasized the importance of leadership, communication, and maintaining hope in the face of challenges facing science today.

Slaugenhaupt highlighted the need for persistence and determination in overcoming obstacles in science. She recalled a message her team member had taped to her office door for nearly 30 years, which served as a reminder of the importance of persistence and determination. She noted that successful people often meet barriers with persistence and determination, never giving up.

The ASHG President also stressed the importance of building a cohesive team that supports and encourages each other. She urged scientists to pay attention to their teams and treat them well, recognizing their contributions and providing opportunities for growth. Slaugenhaupt emphasized that success in one's career should be about helping others advance, rather than solely advancing oneself.

Slaugenhaupt expressed her concern about the current political climate in the United States, where scientific priorities are increasingly shaped by political forces rather than rigorous peer review. She noted that people are rejecting vaccines, distrusting physicians, and dismissing evidence-based progress. Despite these challenges, Slaugenhaupt remains hopeful due to the passion and curiosity of young people entering the field of science.

She highlighted the importance of communicating science to bridge the gap between scientists and the public. Slaugenhaupt designed the Presidential Symposium to explore the barriers to meaningful public engagement and discuss how scientists can help close this gap. She urged scientists to speak out and be more vocal about the critical role of science, particularly human genetics and genomics, in improving global health.

Slaugenhaupt concluded her address by emphasizing the importance of persistence, reminding the audience that the future of human health depends on the discoveries made through collaborative efforts in science.