A photographic image created by Wartburg College freshman Alyssa Jenkins soon will be on display in the Genetics Gallery at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California.

“Like Mother, Like Daughter” was chosen as one of the top three entries in 23andMe's first Genetics Image Contest. The personal genomics and biotechnology company sought entries that “capture the meaning of the genetic terms DNA, chromosome, gene, allele, heredity and inheritance pattern.”

“I chose heredity. I took a photo of both my mother's and my faces, cut the images in half in Photoshop and meshed them together to show the similarities and traits I received from her,” said Jenkins. “The blog posted all the submitted photos on Facebook, and the winners were chosen by the number of likes and shares the photograph got.”

The photo also will be featured in an upcoming 23andMe blog post, and Jenkins will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

Jenkins' college also will benefit from the contest. Wartburg was selected as a top participant — Michael Bechtel, assistant professor of science education, encouraged his students to participate — and will receive $300 to raise awareness of personal genomics through an on-campus learning event.

Bechtel, with the help of Wartburg science education students, will host an event for area elementary students to celebrate National DNA Day this spring with activities like building model DNA strands out of food, and using hamsters, Mr. Potato Head and a teacher-designed stuffed toy, Chromi the Chromosome, to teach genetics and DNA.