Bien Hecho: Geneticist Recruits More Latino Researchers

Carlos D. Bustamante is a Stanford University geneticist, MacArthur genius and generally awesome. Originally from Venezuela, Bustamante is working to include more Latinos and African-Americans in genetic research in order to better understand how diseases affect these populations over time, especially since this field is traditionally geared towards white populations. Black Voice News reported:

Work by the award-winning geneticist, who was born in Venezuela, has helped to expand testing in a global study that is known as the 1000 Genomes project and was launched in 2008 to map the genes of at least 1,000 people worldwide. An international group of scientists is taking DNA samples, analyzing them, and sharing the findings.

The study started with samples taken in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States. But, Bustamante immediately recognized that South America was missing from the project, which the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is coordinating. He successfully pressed for adding Colombia, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Barbados.

“We’re one of the groups that have really been very passionate about studying African-American populations and studying Hispanic-Latino populations so that they get brought into the fold of medical genetics research,” says Bustamante, speaking for himself and fellow researchers in his Stanford lab.

For example, a review of 400 genetic studies found that 90% focused only people of European decent and Bustamente’s work with the 1000 Genomes project has begun to find small variations that may lend an explanation to why some ethnic groups are more vulnerable to diabetes or cancer. In other words, his work is super duper important and he’s not trying to hog all the glory, but rather, involve other people in this important work.

The Miami Herald (he grew up in Miami as the oldest of four children) reports:

Bustamante, 35, mines DNA sequence data in Hispanic Americans, African Americans and Native Americans to understand disease mutations and distribution. At his Stanford University lab, he also studies the domestication of dogs and rice. His work on genetic diversity spans the globe from Mississippi to Barbabos to Peru to West Africa…

Bustamante studies how traits are spread or lost through mutation, migration and natural selection. He is currently involved in the 1000 Genomes Project in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru and Colombia. He’s also initiated a stem-cell project.

The Herald tells some cute stories about Bustamante, how when he was 9 he wanted to wear a jacket and tie and carry a briefcase to school and his sister had to protect him from bullies. Overall, this guy sounds awesome, here’s a neat video of him. Spread the word! Our weekly Bien Hecho segment, highlights the good deeds and achievements of Latinos across the U.S. If you feel that someone you know is deserving of recognition, let us know at tips@newstaco.com.

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD