“Be bold, and make your future something where you can make a difference.”
These were the words that echoed through Ms. Kuehner’s classroom last Tuesday, March 3, as Dr. Lyndon Mitnaul stood before us to share his scientific journey. Mitnaul is the current Executive Director at the Regeneron Genetics Center, and the Founder of Together for CHANGE, an international organization dedicated to advancing African representation in genetic and STEM studies. For those of us in the THS Science Research program who spent the week diving into his work, seeing the man behind it all was truly special.
Two weeks prior to Mitnaul’s arrival, the Science Research students were tasked with a short assignment: to read an article on genome science and become familiar with his field of study. The scope of genome science is massive—from CRISPR to epigenetics, DNA sets the very foundation of the qualities that make us human. However, the world of research isn’t perfect. For instance, the Human Genome Project, the genetic reference blueprint for scientists, is composed of a dominantly white dataset. Mitnaul exposed the students to the revolutionary issue in genetic diversity, and his role in addressing it.
Before he oversaw massive human genetics initiatives, Mitnaul’s world revolved around sports, specifically basketball. But when he broke his arm in high school, he began considering other options. In the end, it was his high school chemistry teacher, Mrs. Smith, who saw a different kind of potential in him, inspiring him to pursue biochemistry research. Her mentorship proved that a single teacher can change the trajectory of a lifetime, turning a student athlete into a scientist.
That curiosity took Mitnaul to Benedict College, a part of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in South Carolina. From there, he worked at various other institutions and on a multitude of projects, including his extensive research on the Influenza A virus, focusing on the role of neuraminidase protein, and his investigation of the in vivo regulation of phenylalanine hydroxylase for enzyme activity.
Today, Mitnaul is a driving force at the Regeneron Genetics Center in Tarrytown, New York. His work focuses on using human genetics data to solve health problems that have been virtually unsolvable for the past century.
One of his most significant current projects is Together for CHANGE, a historic initiative that he spearheaded early in 2023. This project addresses a major gap in modern science: currently, only 2% of genetic data studies come from people of African ancestry. Mitnaul’s goal is to change that by building one of the world’s largest African ancestry genetics databases, ensuring that future medicine and research can apply to everyone.
After his visit to Tenafly, Elektra Moscholeas (’28) summarized her experience: “He was very passionate about his work and inspired us to pursue our careers in any field,” she said. “It was truly an educational experience.”
Mitnaul showed the Science Research students the power of exploration. Life may lead one down an unexpected path, but a mere question has the potential to transform into a revolutionary breakthrough. Mitnaul inspires all those who pursue their aspirations to dream big and create a future “where you can make a difference.”
