Heba Bhat, a freshman at East Chapel Hill High School, received top honors for the essay she submitted to the National DNA Day Essay Contest. Her essay provided an insightful explanation of the issues involved in direct-to-consumer genetic testing.
The annual contest is hosted by the American Society of Human Genetics to educate students and teachers about important concepts in genetic science.
Bhat will receive a $400 prize for her essay. Her science teacher, Judy Jones, will receive a $2,000 grant to purchase genetics laboratory equipment for biology classrooms at ECHHS.