Catherine Greco

Greco developed the "Genetics Decisions" course to provide students with an essential understanding of genetics so they can become informed citizens with the ability to address the resultant social, political and personal issues connected to this field. The program idea, born out of a 2007-2008 cooperative effort with University of Pittsburgh geneticist, Dr. Jeremy Martison, will help 40-50 students each school year to gain an understanding of the nature and extent of gene interaction with intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the development of any given disease phenotype. Topics include the cell cycle, human reproduction, the chromosomal and molecular basis of inheritance, DNA technology and more. Students approaching the required voting age will be able to use their knowledge to become informed participants in the political process. They will also become informed consumers on everything from personal eating habits to reproductive testing. Greco resides in New Kensington.