GENES IN DISEASES AND SYMPTOMS (GIDAS) Activity Organizer: Chunwei Xian Email: joyxian@gmail.com Dates: Tuesdays Time: 4:00 PM–5:00 PM Grades: 8–12 Cost: Description: GIDAS is a club focused on researching and volunteering for a particular disease of focus. This disease of focus changes every year, ranging from opioid addiction to pancreatic cancer to COVID-19. We also prepare for two events every year: the Genes and Health Contest, where you may earn cash prizes, and the High School Research Conference, where you can meet other GIDAS members across the nation. Additionally, you will be able to publish an abstract on your own research, which is an opportunity many high school students do not have, or even present your work in front of professional scientists and researchers. By joining the club, you will learn invaluable research and computational biology skills, along with the opportunity to fundraise and democratize medical research.