The emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has revolutionized the fields of genetics and genomics. In medical genetics, NGS plays a pivotal role in identifying genetic variants responsible for rare inherited diseases. These variants encompass a spectrum of complexities, ranging from simple single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) or short insertions/deletions (indels) spanning up to several dozen base pairs, to more intricate forms such as complex chromosomal rearrangements (structural variants, SVs), and copy number variants (CNVs).
This methodology has significantly improved the diagnosis of genetic diseases by enabling rapid, high-throughput sequencing of DNA, particularly enhancing the identification of rare genetic diseases. Rapid and comprehensive sequencing for identifying disease-causing variants is paramount in improving disease management and designing effective therapies. Precision diagnosis in genetic diseases is challenging yet crucial, given the overlapping symptoms with multiple conditions, often leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
The PANDA Core for Genomics and Microbiome Research at the Steele Children’s Research Center, University of Arizona, stands as the first CLIA-certified laboratory in Arizona authorized to provide Next Generation Sequencing for diagnosing patients, primarily focusing on pediatric patients. The main goal of our Core is to bring the newest technology, which translates to the fastest and most accurate diagnostic tools, to all families in Arizona.
Biography
Daniel Laubitz, PhD
Assistant Research Professor
PANDA Endowed Chair in Bioinformatics and Molecular Genetics Director and general Supervisor, PANDA Core for Genomics and Microbiome Research
Steele Children's Research Center, Department of Pediatrics University of Arizona
PRESIDENT KURTIS rang the bell to get our meeting started. Then, new member CHUCK SABALOS led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and “The Star-Spangled Banner”, accompanied by the talented SAA KHRIS DODGE.
PRESIDENT KURTIS then introduced JEFF RONSTADT who proceed to inspire us while commending PRESIDENT KURTIS on a fantastic year. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there are two meetings left, JEFF.
SAA KHRIS DODGE introduced us to our wonderful guests; we had quite a few.
PRESIDENT KURTIS then introduced us to PAST PRESIDENT JIM LUBINSKI, as a Past President he took full advantage of his president’s minute(S), though in all fairness prior to his introduction of our amazing keynote speaker, ELIJAH NDOYE. He shared/reminded us of all of the amazing work the RCOT has done through International Projects: In San Carlos, Christmas projects, taking down gifts and having a party for children down there as well as building a library, soccer field and a Windmill for water. There is also Shelter Box, Mobile Cancer Screening Units, the Kenya Peace project, Projecto Emancier in Hermosillo where we worked to train pediatric cardiologists, the wheel chair projects, prosthetic limbs, help with the war in the Ukraine, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
With all of these AMAZING International Projects fresh in our minds, he introduced RCOT member ELIJAH NDOYE, who is coordinating our newest project in Senegal for improving the Economic Opportunities for Youth & Community Members in Senegal, West Africa. EL is from Senegal and is the Founder/Director of The Forgotten Children, he actually just got back from Africa last night. He started the school which is named for his father with a vision and a dream. The school is also a home for orphans to help them gain an education while having a safe place to live. Partnering with RCOT and other Rotary clubs they are working to help an entire community to learn trades to better themselves, their families and their community. This project will be sustainable through the efforts of EL, Rotary and community partners in Senegal. This is such an amazing project for the people of this community, and we should be proud of EL for leading the charge and giving our club the opportunity to have such a tremendous impact. Thank you EL!
And, now for the birthdays! KASPER KAVALERIS (5/23), GARY HIRSCH (06/06) and DAN ASIA (06/27). Happy birthday folks!
Uh OH, another Past President has the mic, JON WANG introduced new member CHUCK SABATOS. Congratulations and welcome to the club!
JOE DANISZESWKI presented a PAUL HARRIS + 2, to GEORGE LARSEN! Congratulations and thank you!
SAA KHRIS DODGE announced the winner of the raffle, birthday boy KASPER KAVALARIS went home with $72.00. YAY!
PRESIDENT KURTIS shared announcements:
Check the table for upcoming events and projects.
Red Badge selfies; take them and share them with Dorinna!
Wilbur has been spotted in the Grand Canyon with CARRIE GILCHRIST. Also, Wilbur is MIA, if you happen to know where he is, please bring him to the next meeting.
Please attend the Rotary COA Lunch Event on 6/25 where PRESIDENT KURTIS passes the gavel to PE DOT KRET.
Donate to EREY! Our very own RCOT is not in first place in EREY donations, THIS IS A CALL to action we need to up our game! Come on, let's do this!!!
Remember we need to be sure to get our license plates to TCC so we are registered and do not pay for parking in the parking garage. If you haven’t registered today stop by the guest services office and they will register you.
Did you know that we just had our COA for the district? Well at this event, two of our fellow RCOT members received awards? MATT BLAIR for his amazing efforts for our recent membership drive and GARY HIRSCH received an International Service Award for his incredible work on the RIDE TO END POLIO, way to go you two!
ROGER HARWELL gave us a Car Show ticket sales update and thanked everyone who has been selling tickets and the TLT, Executive committee for all the work. PETER BEAHAN, thank you for all you do to make the Car Show a success.
JEANNE ZETAH, introduced our RYE student; Kaoru Amano, who shared with us all of his adventures and the amazing people he met this year; thank you host families. Consider hosting, it is a life-changing experience.
Please be here next week when Daniel Laubitz, PhD discusses “Next Generation Sequencing.”
PRESIDENT KURTIS ended the meeting and had JEFF RONSTADT send us off with an adequate toast.
At the June 11th meeting, longtime member Gary Hirsch was recognized with one of Rotary International’s highest honors—the Rotary International Service Award for a Polio-Free World. This distinguished award celebrates Rotarians who have demonstrated significant, active, and personal service in support of Rotary’s decades-long effort to eradicate polio worldwide.
Gary's commitment to polio eradication spans years of advocacy, education, and personal involvement. Whether coordinating local awareness campaigns, supporting global vaccination efforts, or lending his voice to Rotary’s mission, Gary has shown unwavering dedication to the cause. His work stands as a powerful reminder of the impact individual service can have in advancing global health.
Please join us in congratulating Gary on this well-deserved honor and thanking him for embodying the spirit of Rotary: Service Above Self.
You all should have received the email from the Rotary Office with the Parking Protocols at the TCC. In order for us to continue to receive the complimentary parking, you will need to supply your Name and License Plate Number to kate.calhoun@tucsonaz.gov. When sending your information, please reference that you are a member of the Rotary Club of Tucson. After she has recorded your number into the system, you will not be charged for parking at the TCC going forward. If you have a guest attending a lunch meeting, please inform them they will need to validate their license plate number by stopping by the Guest Services Office inside the glass meeting room doors. Also, if you are driving a different car then the one you supplied information for, you too will need to stop by the Guest Services Office. Please remember to bring your License Plate Number with you when you leave your car.
Thank you and please relay all your questions to Kate at the TCC via the email provided.
The morning began this past Saturday with meeting friends at LeBuzz on the east side and looking for relief from the "real" start of summer temperatures in Tucson. Martha and I were joined in this quest for cooler temperatures and spectacular vistas by fellow Rotarians Debbie Sheppard, Ana Greif, Khris Dodge and Bruce Jacobs. The Meadow and Mount Lemmon loop hike was the perfect choice, checking not only those boxes but also being of moderate length, altitude gain and time commitment. After an hour and a half of great camaraderie, some physical exercise and beautiful views, there was still ample time for a quick beverage and bite to eat at the Beyond Bread located in Mount Lemmon Lodge. Great deck and you have got to try the iced herbal teas!
Save the date for our next adventure; July 12th on the Kellog Trail from San Pedro Visita!
Terry Ziegler, Polio Update Newsletter Editor, Rotary Region 36
No new Wild Polio paralysis cases reported this week. We are now 5 weeks since the most recent report of a child being paralyzed by the Wild Polio Virus in Pakistan.
Quote of the Day –
Our Partner – UNICEF – Vaccines have saved 154 million lives in the last 50 years.
As the world’s largest vaccine supplier, UNICEF procures and distributes enough vaccines annually to immunize 45 percent of the world’s children. In 2023, UNICEF supplied 2.8 billion vaccine doses to 105 countries, up from just over 2 billion to 102 countries in 2020. Through widespread immunizations, polio is on the brink of eradication.
The Final Two Polio Endemic Countries:
PAKISTAN No new Wild Polio cases reported this week. Eleven Wild Polio cases reported in 2025. Seventy-four Wild Polio cases reported in 2024. Six Wild Polio Cases reported in 2023. The most recent case had an onset of paralysis on 5/07/25. No WPV1 Environmental Samples and no cVDPV2 Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Pakistan.
AFGHANISTAN No new Wild Polio cases reported this week. Two Wild Polio cases reported in 2025. Twenty-five Wild Polio cases reported in 2024. Six Wild Polio Cases reported in 2023. The most recent case had an onset of paralysis on 3/09/25. No WPV1 Environmental Samples and no cVDPV2 Positive Environmental Samples were reported this week in Afghanistan.
Advocate, Donate & Educate toEND POLIO NOW & FOREVER!
Join fellow Rotarians on Wednesday, June 25th, for the Club’s Annual Change of Administration Lunch Meeting—a time-honored Rotary tradition celebrating leadership and service.
This special occasion will mark the official transition as President Kurtis Dawson hands over the gavel to President-Elect Dot Kret. We will honor Kurtis for his outstanding leadership and contributions over the past year and warmly welcome Dot as she prepares to guide the Club through the 2025–2026 Rotary year.
Come enjoy an afternoon of fellowship, reflection, and celebration with your fellow members. Let’s come together to show our gratitude and support for both outgoing and incoming leadership.
Join us for the first regular luncheon of the new Rotary year with Club President Dot Kret. Her theme for 2025–26 is “Unite for Good.” Enjoy great fellowship, updates for the year ahead, and the start of a new chapter.
In lieu of Events Around Town on Wednesday, July 9, Madaras Gallery will host a very special evening event at the Gallery. Rotary Club of Tucson will honor Ricky Hunley's induction into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and Bob Logan will sign copies of his book about his three amazing treks across Northern Spain-- "Let Your Path Find You."
Please join fellow Rotarians as we celebrate these two very special members.
Wednesday, July 9th- 6-7:30 pm
Madaras Gallery
3035 N. Swan
Tucson, AZ 85712
520-615-3001
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT ON CLUBRUNNER. Go to www.tucsonrotary.org and scroll down to UPCOMING EVENTS on the left hand side of the home page.
There is no charge for the event, but you must sign up no later than July 1. PLEASE NOTE: You may park in the lot across the drive as well as in the lot in the far back.
Lace up those boots and join us for the Hiking Fellowship outing on Saturday, July 12th! These hikes are a great way to enjoy Tucson’s beautiful outdoors while connecting with fellow Rotarians in a relaxed, active setting.
Our hikes are open to all members and guests—just bring water, sun protection, and a sense of adventure. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a scenic stroll, all levels are welcome.
Stay tuned for more details on the location and meeting time. We hope to see you on the trail!
Get your Car Show Ticket Packet at the lunch meeting back table with lots of great info to help you sell your tickets. Take some of the Car Show referral cards at your table to give to people to encourage them to buy online. Put your name on the back and ask them to credit you for the sale. Let's all help make this the best Car Show ever! Thank you ~~ Jeanne Zetah
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
We’re excited to highlight a new way for you to make your donations directly to the Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation – all from the comfort of your own home! Simply head to our website, where you’ll find the gold Donation button at the top right of the menu bar. Whether you're contributing to our Scholarships, making a General Donation, or supporting our Local Charities, your generosity will help fund important initiatives that uplift our community.
But wait, there’s more! If you're joining us for lunch at the next meeting, don’t forget to look for the blue scholarship cups on the tables. These cups now feature a QR code that will take you straight to the Donation Page with just a quick scan. No need for cash or checks – donate right from your phone!
We can’t thank you enough for your ongoing support of our Foundation. Your donations directly benefit our community and empower us to continue making a meaningful impact. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Rotary office.
Let’s continue to do good in our community – with a click, a scan, and your generous heart!
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PRESIDENT KURTIS then introduced us to PAST PRESIDENT JIM LUBINSKI, as a Past President he took full advantage of his president’s minute(S), though in all 
fairness prior to his introduction of our amazing keynote speaker, ELIJAH NDOYE. He shared/reminded us of all of the amazing work the RCOT has done through International Projects: In San Carlos, Christmas projects, taking down gifts and having a party for children down there as well as building a library, soccer field and a Windmill for water. There is also Shelter Box, Mobile Cancer Screening Units, the Kenya Peace project, Projecto Emancier in Hermosillo where we worked to train pediatric cardiologists, the wheel chair projects, prosthetic limbs, help with the war in the Ukraine, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Uh OH, another Past President has the mic, JON WANG introduced new member CHUCK SABATOS. Congratulations and welcome to the club!
JEANNE ZETAH, introduced our RYE student; Kaoru Amano, who shared with us all of his adventures and the amazing people he met this year; thank you host families. Consider hosting, it is a life-changing experience.
You all should have received the email from the Rotary Office with the Parking Protocols at the TCC. In order for us to continue to receive the complimentary parking, you will need to supply your Name and License Plate Number 
Together, We End Polio!
Join us for the first regular luncheon of the new Rotary year with Club President Dot Kret. Her theme for 2025–26 is “Unite for Good.” Enjoy great fellowship, updates for the year ahead, and the start of a new chapter.
Come Celebrate Two Fellow Rotarians.jpg)
Book: The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau's Code of Excellence
Get your Car Show Ticket Packet at the lunch meeting back table with lots of great info to help you sell your tickets. Take some of the Car Show referral cards at your table to give to people to encourage them to buy online. Put your name on the back and ask them to credit you for the sale. Let's all help make this the best Car Show ever! Thank you ~~ Jeanne Zetah
At the Rotary Club of Tucson, we believe in giving back to our community and supporting causes that make a real difference. And now, it’s easier than ever to contribute to our efforts!
