Did you know that Human beings are 99.99% the same? Thousands of genes make up our genetic code and less than 1% of them are different from any other person. So why do we all look so different? What is it that makes us unique from everyone else? Come join us as we explore DNA, chromosomes, and genes including their interactions with environmental factors and other genes. Explore the world of genomics and build DNA models, break codes to see what they make, analyze chromosomes, and extract DNA.

Faculty/Instructor

Vanessa  Michelizzi,

Hometown and city: Colville, WA
University attended, graduation date, and degree: Washington State University, May 3, 2008, Bachelor of Science in Animal Science.
WSU department you are in: Animal Science, Genomics
Class Topics you’ll teach in the fall: None so far, I’ll find out who I will TA for at a later date.
Your research/teaching are of interest: genomics and genetics of animals. My project involves water buffalo genome sequencing.
Any plans before CQ begins: none so far
Interests/Hobbies: I like reading, any type of art, animals, world history, and cooking.
Favorite summer Memory: My favorite summer memory is when my family camped out on the Grand Canyon and a thunder storm came up. We spent the night listening to the rain and thunder. It was so cool.
Your Life Goal: My life goal is to either research in a lab or become a professor teaching genomics.
A little about myself: My name is Vanessa Michelizzi and I was born in Orlando Florida. I have a cat named Jinx and a mouse named Trigger. My favorite TV shows are House and Bones and my current favorite movie is Twilight. I am also enjoying the Twilight book series. My favorite foods are Italian and some other ethnic dishes. I’m not too fond of overly spicy food. Before working as a teaching assistant, I worked in a coffee shop, as a weekend janitor cleaning bathrooms, and cleaning a hatchery and feeding fish. Finally, the most interesting job I have ever had is working in a fish cannery.