Students from all over the Kansas City area had the chance to come to Olathe South for a genetics and stem cell presentation on Monday Feb. 27.

Dr. Sam Rhiene, an educational speaker that travels around the world and teaches students, gave the presentation to PCA science students, AP Biology, College Biology and Genetics classes. Some schools came all the way from Missouri to see the presentation. The conference started at 8 a.m. and ended in the afternoon.

He talked about what a stem cell researcher does and also presented research information about stem cells and genetics to the students at the conference.

At the conference, he discussed all of the new discoveries with stem cells, such as manmade stem cells that can help cure genetic conditions and diseases. The newest type is called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) which can help cure many more diseases, like diabetes, spinal cord injuries and brain disease.

“He encouraged students to go into this field of science for a career because of the need to have more research about stem cells and the importance of them,” Kristen Ramshaw, science teacher, said.