The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society invites community members to its General Meeting, and a two-part presentation, Saturday, May 18 and Wednesday, June 12, when featured speaker Marcy Mullen will discuss “Opening Pandora’s Box: A Story of Family Secrets Exposed with DNA Testing.”

Part I of the free presentation, on May 18, will be a hybrid event taking place at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave., Santa Barbara, and it will be available via Zoom.

Part II, on June 12, will be presented in webinar format via Zoom only.

Mullen said she grew up with a tinge of suspicion concerning the events of her birth. After decades of a tumultuous relationship, Mullen’s parents divorced when she was a teenager.

In January 2020, 11 years after her father’s passing, Mullen said the truth began to unfold.

“The first half of this presentation explains the science behind DNA testing,” Mullen said. “The story includes how I was able to prove the identity of my biological father, even though he refused to be tested.”

The program on May 18 opens at 9:30 a.m. with refreshments, meeting with the society’s Special Interest Groups. A short business meeting starts at 10:30 a.m., and Mullen’s talk is at 11 a.m.

The business meeting and presentation will also be available via Zoom. Register at SBGen.org to attend online.

Mullen is a former professor of clinical pathophysiology, medical genetics, biomedical ethics, and immunology for SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Utica College, and the Sage Colleges in Upstate New York.

Locally, she has taught pre-med/nursing courses for Cuesta College, Allan Hancock College, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, as well as the American Heart Association and the Red Cross.

Currently, Mullen is the area manager for Halo Unlimited, providing newborn hearing screening services at Marian Regional in Santa Maria, Cottage Health in Santa Barbara, Sierra Vista in SLO, and Twin Cities in Templeton.

For more about the Genealogical Society, visit SBGen.org.