Robbee Wedow honored by American Society of Human Genetics
Robbee Wedow has received the 2026 Education Award from the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), recognizing his contributions to helping students better understand the science of human genetics and its implications for society.
Wedow, assistant professor of sociology and data science, is a co-investigator and instructor for the Humane Genetics Curriculum, an educational program designed to help students understand human genetic variation, the complex influences behind human traits and what conclusions genetic evidence can — and cannot — support.
The curriculum, developed by Brian Donovan, PhD, has reached thousands of students in hundreds of middle school, high school and undergraduate classrooms across the country. It provides educators with research-based tools for navigating complex topics at the intersection of genetics and society, including race and ancestry.
Wedow’s involvement reflects the interdisciplinary nature of his broader research, which brings together sociology, genetics and data science to better understand the relationships among genes, environments and human behavior.
“It’s an incredible honor to receive this award and to see this work recognized by ASHG. Education has the power to shape how the next generation of scientists, physicians, policymakers and leaders approach some of society’s most complex questions,” Wedow said. “I’m grateful to be part of an effort that gives students the knowledge and confidence to engage with those questions thoughtfully and responsibly. This award is really a team award, and it is an incredible honor for our team that developed and tirelessly deployed this work. We are very grateful.”
The ASHG Education Award recognizes individuals or organizations whose work has made significant contributions to human genetics education. Wedow will be recognized during the society’s 2026 annual meeting in Montreal, Canada in October.
The Humane Genetics Curriculum can be accessed via Robbee’s lab website or via the Purdue Library’s e-Pubs collection.