Embriette Hyde, a 2005 graduate, will be guest speaker at the Wayland High School Scholastic Honors Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the Fine Arts Center.
In addition, 1967 grad Mary Jane Merren will be honored at the festivities as Alumni of the Year, along with a special honoree who will be announced that evening. Wayland High School students in grades 9-12 who have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher will be recognized for their academic achievements.
Hyde earned her bachelor of science degree in Biomedical Science and Spanish from Grand Valley State University and her PhD from Baylor college of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She is the project manager for the American Gut Project, the world’s largest crowd-sourced citizen science research project in existence, which is run out of the Knight lab, now at the University of California San Diego.
During her time as Project Manager for American Gut, Hyde has established the project as part of the White House’s National Microbiome Initiative, expanded the project into Asia, and clinched a spot on Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 in Science and Healthcare, and she has spoken about American Gut at several conferences across the United States, including Boston and Portland, Oregon.
Hyde continues to work to expand the project as well as assisting in the development of rapid response pipelines and bringing in high profile partnerships for the Center for Microbiome Innovation at UC San Diego. Some of her favorite collaborations through the American Gut project include working with local fermenter’s clubs and the UC San Diego athletics teams.
Mary Jane Merren, Class of 1967, is the current Director of the Wayland Union Education Foundation and former Science Curriculum Coordinator for WUS elementary schools. She has volunteered numerous hours in for schools and community.
The Alumni Hall of Fame award began in 2001 and receives nominations from the public. Individuals must have made an important contribution to Wayland Union Schools, the WUS community, or to society in general.
The public is invited to attend this special event.
PHOTO: Embriette Hyde