Research Projects

Research Requirement

UUGPGC students are required to complete an independent research project or a master’s thesis prior to graduating from the UUGPGC. These projects are similar in scope, but students who complete a thesis must follow the required University of Utah guidelines for student committee composition and thesis format, as indicated here:  https://gradschool.utah.edu/thesis/

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Access to Prostate Cancer Genetic Counseling in the Intermountain West	Samantha Beck	Samantha Greenberg, MS, CGC (chair); Amanda Gammon, MS, CGC; Jonathan Tward, MD
Evaluating patterns of SDHx tumor presentation by gene and variant type: A retrospective analysis of a large SDHx clinical cohort	Kara Eckberg	Samantha Greenberg, MS, CGC (chair); Amanda Gammon, MS, CGC; Neil Patel, MD
Metabolic Parameters and Development in patients with Arginosuccinate acid synthase 1 and lyase deficiency	Ali Khalaf	Nicola Longo, MD, PhD (chair); Marzia Pasquali, PhD
X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy After Implementation of Newborn Screening: A Reference Laboratory Perspective	Julia Prinzi	Irene De Biase, MD (chair); Marzia Pasquali, PhD; Rachel Palmquist, MS, CGC; Kristen Wong, MS, CGC; Stephanie Francis, MS, CGC.
Inherited Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Deficiency (IGD) Disorders Medical History Collection and Registry: Development and Preliminary Data	Martinna Raineri Tapies	Clement Chow, PhD (chair); Rachel Palmquist, MS, CGC; David Viskochil, MD, PhD
Effectiveness of novel biomarkers for MPS IH for diagnosing and monitoring of patients with therapy	Nivedita Rao	Marzia Pasquali, PhD (chair); Nicola Longo, MD, PhD; David Viskochil, MD, PhD; Audrey Rutz, MS, CGC
Identifying Effective Resources for Family Communication in Lynch Syndrome Cascade Testing	Yanete Rodriguez	Whitney Espinel, MS, CGC (chair); Lingzi Zhong, PhD; Samantha Greenberg, MS, CGC
An Examination of Readiness of Entry Level Genetic Counselors for Laboratory/Industry Roles	Nathan Shepherd	Elena Coupal, MS, CGC (chair); Michelle Bosworth, MS, CGC; Christine Miller, MS, CGC; Megan Martin, MS, CGC
Patient impact of the University of Utah Health’s Penelope Program for rare and undiagnosed disease	Brianna Stebbins	Lorenzo Botto, MD (chair); Ashley Andrews, NP; Erin Harward, MS, CGC
Patient decision-making process surrounding genetic testing for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis	Susanna Strydom	Janessa Mladucky, MS, CGC (chair); Emily Spoth, MS, CGC; Kristen Wong, MS, CGC

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Getting on the Same Page: Evaluating the Genetic Counseling Contracting Process.	Emma Baldry	Bonne Baty, MS, CGC (chair); Amanda Gammon, MS, CGC; Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD.
Defining Orientating Language in the Genetic Counseling Process.	Katherine (Libby) Cook	Bonne Baty, MS, CGC (chair); Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD; Karin Dent, MS, CGC.
Prenatal Patient Perceptions of Receiving Difficult News Over the Telephone.	Tinsley Douglas	Janessa Mladucky, MS, CGC (chair); Karin Dent, MS, CGC; John Carey, MD, MPH; Caitlyn May, MS, CGC.
Exploring the Impact of Simulation-based Training on Genetic Counselors’ Confidence to Deliver Difficult News (DDN).	Alexandra Finley	Laila Andoni, MS, CGC (chair); Karin Dent, MS, CGC; Caitlyn May, MS, CGC; Louisa Stark, PhD.
Perceptions of cancer risks in pre-test genetic counseling education.	Autumn Lange	Kimberley Kaphingst, ScD (chair); Guilherme Del Fiol, PhD; Amanda Gammon, MS, CGC.
Psychiatric Genetic Counseling: Knowledge and Perceptions of Mental Health Care Professionals	Meagan Lindstrom	Amanda Gammon, MS, CGC (chair); Ivana Grbelja, MS, CGC; Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD.
Investigating Substance Abuse as a Risk Factor for Motor and Psychiatric Findings in Individuals with Huntington Disease Reduced Penetrance Alleles.	Laura Perez Quiros	Emily Spoth, MS, CGC (chair); Meghan Zorn, PA-C; Rachel Palmquist, MS, CGC; Christina Dailey, MS, CGC.
Time to Molecular Diagnosis for Children with Genetic Epilepsy: Influential Factors	Megan Rimmasch	Rachel Palmquist, MS, CGC (chair); Nephi Walton, PhD; Carey Wilson, MD.
The Global Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndrome Registry: Development, Launch, and Early Findings	Laura Voss	Nicola Longo, MD (chair); Marzia Pasquali, PhD; Erin Harward, MS, CGC.

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
The developing role of genetic counselors in somatic gene therapy	Cassandra Barrett	Emily Spoth, MS, LCGC (chair); Karin Dent, MS, LCGC; Kim Kaphingst, ScD
Examination of factors that influence participants’ willingness to share data for genomic research	Sara Graceffo	Kim Kaphingst, ScD (chair), Amanda Gammon, MS, LCGC; Jorge Contreras, JD
Factors influencing the ordering practices of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism genetic tests	Jessica Ponce Hidalgo	Chris Miller, MS, LCGC (chair); Karin Dent, MS, LCGC; Hannah Anderson, MS, LCGC; Hunter Underhill, MD
“What would you do?” Factors implicating genetic counselors’ testing decisions during pregnancy	Lexi Isaacs	Lauren Wallace, MS, LCGC (chair); Karin Dent, MS, LCGC; Janessa Mladucky, MS, LCGC
Reclassification of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCADD) using the ClinGen workgroup approach	Nate Kirkland	Elena Coupal, MS, LCGC (chair); Marzia Pasquali, PhD; Kianoush Sadre-Bazzaz, PhD
Assessing medical students’ knowledge and application of GINA in the clinical setting	Kaitlyn Mason	Amy Hawkins, PhD (chair); Karin Dent, MS, LCGC; David Viskochil, MD, PhD
Assessing how providers facilitate informed decision-making about PGT-A for patients using IVF	Nisha Mathew	Erin Rothwell, PhD (chair), Erin Harward, MS, LCGC; Amber Mathiesen Phillips, MS, LCGC
Impact of implementing customized ACMG/AMP variant interpretation guidelines to the BTD database	Maria Mills	Elena Coupal, MS, LCGC (chair); Kelsey Cone, PhD; Melinda Procter; Genevieve Pont-Kingdon, PhD; Rong Mao, MD

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Examining Comprehension and Communication about Genomic Data Sharing	Heather Nick	Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD (chair); Amanda Gammon, MS, LCGC; Jorge Contreras, JD
Characterization of Depressive Symptoms in Individuals with Reduced Penetrance Huntington’s Allele Expansion using Enroll-HD	Cristina Dailey	Emily Spoth, MS, LCGC (chair), Tara Newcomb, MS, LCGC; Meghan Zorn, PA.
Factors in Screen Adherence Across the Lifespan for Individuals With Rare Hereditary Cancer Syndromes	Amy Whitburn	Samantha Greenberg, MS, LCGC (chair); Wendy Kohlmann, MS, LCGC; Yelena Wu, PhD
Impact of Genetic Based Melanoma Risk Assessment on Attitudes and Preventative Behaviors	Kaylee Ruiz	Wendy Kohlmann, MS, LCGC (chair); Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD; Yelena Wu, PhD; Bingjian Feng, PhD
Experiences of Black consumers utilizing direct-to-consumer genetic testing	Emily Ziegler	Bonnie Baty, MS, LCGC (chair), Rebecca Anderson, RN, PhD; Jeff Botkin, MD, MPH; Janessa Mladucky, MS, LCGC
Risk perception and screening behaviors in phenotypically negative Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) mutation carriers	Melanie Emmerson	Katie Swade, MS, LCGC (chair), Marcia Feldkamp, PhD, PA; Lindsay Meyers, MS, LCGC; Karin Dent, MS, LCGC.
Evaluation of Family Telehealth Genetic Counseling Services	Natasha Chadburn	Natasha Chadburn
Genetic Counseling Student Research: Landscape, Trends, and Barriers	Caitlin Clark-Wiest	Eric Rosenthal, PhD, MS, LCGC (chair); Karin Dent, MS, LCGC; Wendy Kohlmann, MS, LCGC

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Alternative education tools in clinic: Expanded Carrier Screening	Chloe Dugger	Hannah Anderson, MS, LCGC (chair); Chris Miller, MS, LCGC; Erin Rothwell, MS, PhD
The path less traveled – Barriers to implementing alternative Service Delivery Models in genetic counseling practice, and the impact of such barriers on the delivery of care	Ambreen Khan	Samantha Greenberg, MS, LCGC (chair); Stephanie Cohen, MS, LCGC; Eric Rosenthal, MS, PhD; Charlene Weir, PhD
Guidelines for Delivering Difficult News over the Phone	Caitlyn Maczka	Karin Dent, MS, LCGC (chair); Laila Andoni, MS, LCGC; John Carey, MD, MPH
Consumer Understanding of Secondary Uses of Data in Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing	Janessa Mladucky	Rebecca Anderson, PhD (chair); Bonnie Baty, MS, LCGC; Jeff Botkin, MD
Discrepancies in Variant Classification in Somatic vs Germline Genetic Testing	Emily Moody	Amanda Gammon, MS, LCGC (chair); David Goldgar, PhD, Sean Tavtigian, PhD, Erin Mundt, MS, LCGC
Assessing Referral and Knowledge of Patients with Incidental Germline Variants Discovered Through Somatic Testing	Jamie Warner	Whitney Espinel, MS LCGC (chair); Amanda Gammon, MS, LCGC; Jennie Vagher, MS, LCGC
Analysis of RET Gene Variants in a MEN2 Database Using ACMG 2015 Guidelines	Rachel Zatezalo	Elena Coupal, MS, LCGC (chair); Chris Miller, MS, LCGC; Rong Mao, PhD; Rebecca Margraf

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Clinical and molecular predictors of malignancy in carriers of an SDHx mutation	Rachel Holman	Anne Naumer, MS LCGC (chair); Samantha Greenberg, MS LCGC;  Marcus Monroe, MD
Does a Diagnosis Make a Difference? Examining the Utility of Etiology-Based Information for Teachers of Children with Neurogenetic Syndromes	Dana Jarvis	Louisa Stark, PhD (chair); Rob O’Neill, PhD; Rena Vanzo, MS, LCGC
Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening: Decisional Factors to Accept or Decline among IVF Patients	Brandy Lamb	Erin Rothwell, MS, PhD (chair); Amber Mathiesen, MS, LCGC; Erica Johnstone, MD
Media Influence on Patient Perception of Expanded Carrier Screening	Ashlie Miller	Amanda Gammon, MS LCGC (chair); Rebecca Anderson, PhD; Laila Andoni, MS LCGC
Patterns of family communication and preferred resources for sharing information among families with a Lynch syndrome diagnosis	Jenna Petersen	Wendy Kohlmann, MS LCGC (chair); Kim Kaphingst, PhD; Amanda Gammon, MS LCGC
What do You Want to Know about Prostate Cancer Genetics?	Nicole Stopa	Vickie Venne, MS LCGC (chair); Sarah Colonna, MD; Samantha Greenberg, MS LCGC

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Perinatal palliative care	Andrea Crawford	Erin Rothwell, MS, PhD (Chair); Mary Rindler, MS, LCGC; Amelia Hopkin, LCSW; Lauren Clark, PhD
Cochlear implant patients and opinions of genetic testing	McCall Erickson	John Carey, MD, MPH (Chair); Janice Palumbos, MS, LCGC; Richard Gurgel, MD
Transition in adolescents: Perceived control	Brianna Murray	Janice Palumbos, MS, LCGC (Chair); Uma Dorn, PhD; Chuck Norlin, MD
Mapping the terrain of secondary findings: A qualitative study describing genetic healthcare professionals’ experiences in the reporting of secondary/incidental findings in a clinical setting *[NSGC Annual Education Conference, Sept 2017, poster presentation]	Carly Rost	Erin Rothwell, MS, PhD (Chair); Jeff Botkin, MD, MPH; Karin Dent, MS, LCGC
Investigating the need for improved visual aids in genetic counseling on multifactorial congenital heart defects	Kira Svirsky	Lindsay Meyers, MS, LCGC (Chair); Erin Rothwell, MS, PhD; Kim Kaphingst, PhD
Assessing the financial burden of genetic testing: A patient survey	Katelyn Swade	Erin Rothwell, MS, PhD (Chair); Steven Bleyl, MD, PhD; Lindsay Meyers, MS, LCGC; Bob Wong (Correspondent)
A cross-cultural investigation into the perceptions of genetic testing among Caucasian, Latino, and Pacific Islander families *[ACMG 2017, poster presentation]	Jennie Vagher	David Stevenson, MD (Chair); David Viskochil, MD, PhD; Paul Carbone, MD; Amber Mathiesen, MS, LCGC

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Newborn Screening Knowledge and Attitudes Among Midwives and Out of Hospital Birth Parents	Elena Coupal	Kim Hart, MS, LCGC (Chair); Harper Randall, MD; Erin Rothwell, PhD, CTRS
Exploring the Perceived Self-Efficacy of Genetic Counselors as Teachers *[NSGC Annual Education Conference, Sept 2017, poster presentation]	Justin Gasparini	Irene DeBiase, MD, PhD (Chair); Louisa Stark, PhD; Erin Rothwell, PhD
Reproductive Choices in Families with Spinal Muscular Atrophy	Ivana Grbelja	Rebecca Hulinsky, MS, LCGC (Chair); Erin Harward, MS, LCGC; Erica Johnstone, MD; Renee Rider, JD, MS, LCGC
Frequency of Low-level Receptor Expression in Breast Cancer Tumors of BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers	Kayla Haas	Amanda Gammon, MS, LCGC (Chair); Saundra Buys, MD; Adam Cohen, MD
Determining Cancer Risk for First and Second Degree Relatives of Individuals with IDH 1/ Mutated Grade II-IV Glioma and the rs55705857 SNP *[NSGC Annual Education Conference, Oct 2016, poster presentation]	Sarah Hummel	Adam Cohen, Mrutz D (Chair); Diana Abbott, PhD; Wendy Kohlman, MS, LCGC
Exploring Children’s Engagement in Genetic Counseling Sessions About Melanoma Risk *[NSGC Annual Education Conference, Oct 2016, platform presentation]	Maria-Renee Plona	Marjan Champine, MS, LCGC (Chair); Yelena Wu, PhD; Wendy Kohlman, MS, LCGC
Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Current Practices of Pediatricians Regarding Genetic Evaluation and Testing in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) *[NSGC Annual Education Conference, Oct 2016, poster presentation]	Audrey Rutz	Paul Carbone, MD (Chair); Karin Dent, MS, LCGC; Lorenzo Botto, MD

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Training clinical genetics residents and genetic counseling students to deliver difficult news.	Laila Andoni	John Carey, MD, MPH (Chair); Karin Dent, MS, LCGC; Kate Charyk, MS, LCGC
The impact of receiving genetic testing results for a hereditary cancer syndrome on reproductive planning: A needs assessment.	Jade Grimmett	Amanda Gammon, MS, LCGC (Chair); Ken Smith, PhD; Erica Johnstone, MD
An exploration of self-disclosure of a genetic condition to non-family members.	Leigh Ann Higa	Erin Rothwell, PhD (Chair); Jamie McDonald, MS, LCGC; Deborah Himes, ARPN-BC, ANP
Parents’ experiences with seeking information about their child’s rare condition.	Shannon Lozinsky	Sue Morrow, PhD (Chair); Janice Palumbos, MS, LCGC; Eric Rosenthal, PhD, ScM
Factors influencing the decision to continue pregnancy with a lethal condition or anomaly.	Leah Markham	Mary Rindler, MS, LCGC (Chair); Kate Charyk, MS, LCGC; Douglas Richards, MD; Lauren Eimers-Wangrud, MS, LCGC
Do parents of children with Dup15q understand their molecular diagnosis?	Kali Roy	Megan Martin, MS, LCGC (Chair); Janice Palumbos, MS, LCGC; John Carey, MD, MPH
Factors affecting quality of life and anxiety of adolescents with neurofibromatosis type I.	Kallie Weinand	Karin Dent, MS, LCGC (Chair); David Viskochil, MD, PhD; Nancy Cantor, PhD

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Abortion rates of trisomy 21 and other aneuploidy affected pregnancies and the variables that influence them. *[2014 NSGC poster presentation]	Kinley Cahill (Garfield)	Janice Byrne, MD (Chair); Janice Rinsky, MS, LCGC; David Turok, MD
Patient Perspectives on Taking a Family History.	Randi Hanson	Eric Rosenthal, MS, PhD (Chair); Amber Mathiesen, MS, LCGC; Lori Kowaleski-Jones, PhD
Effect of different newborn screen collection methods for low birth weight infants on the concentration of markers for metabolic and endocrine disorders detected by tandem mass spectrometry.	Jeri Harashima	Marzia Pasquali, PhD (Chair); Kim Hart, MS, LCGC; Nicola Longo, MD, PhD; Robert Christensen, MD
How genetic counseling programs change trainees’ religious beliefs: A quantitative analysis.	Andrea Hendershot	Marjan Champine, MS, LCGC (Chair); Sandie Edwards, MA; Brianne Kirkpatrick, MS, CGC
Why volunteers rock: Perspectives on an adaptive recreational program.	Valerie Kendall (Collier)	Rena Vanzo, MS, LCGC (Chair); Paul Carbone, MD; Erin Rothwell, PhD, CTRS
Oocyte donor genetics screening practices. ~* [2014 NSGC ART SIG Grant Award; 2014 NSGC poster presentation]	Elena Moyle	Rebecca Hulinsky, MS, LCGC (Chair); Amber Mathiesen, MS, LCGC; Erica Johnstone, MD, MSH
Parental comprehension and psychosocial effects of genetic counseling in the CICU. * [2014 NSGC poster presentation]	Rachel Palmquist	Lindsay Meyers, MS, LCGC (Chair); Steven Bleyl, MD, PhD; Erin Rothwell, PhD, CTRS

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Attitudes of parents of children with serious health conditions regarding use of residual newborn specimens in research.* + [2013 NSGC poster presentation; Accepted for publication in Public Health Genomics]	Chinmayee Bhimarao Nagaraj	Jeffrey R. Botkin, MD (Chair); Joshua Schiffman, MD; Erin Rothwell, PhD; Kim Hart, MS, LCGC
Impact of etiologic diagnosis on families of children with hearing impairment.	Brandalyn Chidsey	Karin Dent, MS, LCGC (Chair); John Carey, MD, MPH; Albert Park, MD
Perceptions of pregnant women regarding noninvasive prenatal testing in the first trimester.	Lauren Eimers-Wangrud	Janice Rinsky, MS, LCGC (Chair); Gwen Latendresse, PhD, CNM; John Carey, MD
Variants of unknown significance from chromosomal microarray analysis: A parent’s perception.	Stephanie Jez	Sarah South, PhD (Chair), Rena Vanzo, MS, LCGC; Megan martin, MS, LCGC; Erin Rothwell, PhD
Why do individuals choose not to attend cancer genetic counseling appointments?* [2013 NSGC poster presentation]	Amara Lauritzen	Amanda Gammon, MS, LCGC (Chair); Therese Tuohy, PhD, LCGC; Anne Kirchhoff, PhD, MPH
Why are males not entering the field of genetic counseling?* [2013 NSGC poster presentation]	Jeanette Saffir	Eric Rosenthal, PhD, LCGC (Chair); Kory Jasperson, MS, LCGC; Patricia Murphy, PhD
The psychological impact of medically-necessary activity restriction on asymptomatic adolescents with cardiomyopathy and long QT syndrome.	Alizabeth Woodruff	Melanie Everitt, MD (Chair); Erin Rothwell, PhD; Karin Dent, MS, LCGC; Lindsay Meyers, MS, LCGC

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Patient empowerment and internal information-seeking behavior.	Katie Bergstrom	Eric Rosenthal, MS, PhD, LCGC (Chair); Erin Rothwell, PhD; Janice Palumbos, MS, CGC
Improving use and efficacy of interpretive services: Recommendations for interpreters.	Meghan Chirpich	Louisa Stark, PhD (Chair); Erin Rothwell, PhD; Bonnie Baty, MS, LCGC
Practice makes perfect: Are genetic counselors adequately trained during graduate school for the different specialties within the field? * [2012 NSGC platform presentation]	Erin Heckaman	Chris Miller, MS, LCGC (Chair); Rena Vanzo, MS, LCGC; Eric Rosenthal, MS, PhD, LCGC; David Viskochil, MD, PhD
Influence of breast feeding on waist circumference in women with gestational diabetes.	Sumathi Iyer	Heather Major, MD (Chair); Kristina Milan, MD; Janice Rinsky, MS, LCGC
Effects of hippotherapy on people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMN). *+ [2012 NSGC poster presentation; Published in Pediatric Physical Therapy]	Danielle Lemke	Kathryn Swoboda, MD (Chair); Erin Rothwell, PhD; Tara Newcomb, MS, LGC; Benjamin Chisum
Analysis of incidental findings in exome sequencing data.	Alekhya Narravula	Sean Tavtigian, PhD (Chair); Therese Tuohy, PhD, LCGC; Steven Bleyl, MD, PhD
Assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1).+ [Published in Am J Med Genet]	Jade Tinker	David Stevenson, MD (Chair); David Viskochil, MD, PhD; Paul Carbone, MD; Amber Mathiesen, MS, LCGC

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Motivations for biobanking in dementing diseases.* [2011 NSGC poster presentation]	Megan Bell	Erin Rothwell, Ph.D ; Vickie Venne, MS, LCGC; Norman Foster, MD.
Where’s my answer? Understanding counseling issues surrounding VUS in BRCA1/2 genes.	Megan Blanksma	Vickie Venne, MS, LCGC (chair); Sean Tavtigiant, Ph.D; Jennifer Saam, MS, Ph.D., LCGC.
Surveying state newborn screening programs: The role of genetic counselors.	Christina Hawbaker	Marzia Pasquali, Ph.D. (Chair); Amanda Openshaw, MS, LCGC; Eric Rothwell, PhD.
Diagnosing mitochondrial disease: Which signs and symptoms are most relevant?	Lindsay Meyers	Rena Vanzo, MS, LCGC (Chair); Nicola Longo, MD, PhD; Kathryn Swoboda, MD
Maternal age and major structural birth defects in twins in Utah.* [2011 NSGC poster presentations and Published in Birth Defects Research]	Renee Rider	Marcia Feldkamp, Ph.D. (Chair); David Stevenson, MD; Janice Rinsky, MS, LCGC.
Evaluation of adherence to Huntington disease testing guidelines.	Briana Sawyer	Chris Miller, MS, LCGC (Chair); Bonnie Baty, MS, LCGC; Erin Rothwell, PhD
Perspectives on new molecular testing for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: Patient awareness and attitudes.	Erin Youell	Jamie McDonald, MS, LCGC (Chair); Amanda Gammon, MS, c|LCGC; Pina Bayrack-Toydemir, MD, PhD.

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Family CARE (Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Risk Education) Project: Intervention fidelity and reliability.	Lindsay Boortz	Anita Kinney, Ph.D (chair); Amanda Gammon, MS, LGC; Lisa Aspinwall, Ph.D.
Health care transition for individuals with NF1: Patient, parent, and provider perspectives.	Larissa Hansen	Karen Dent, MS, CGC (chair);Caren Frost, Ph.D, MPH; David Viskochil, MD, Ph.D. Michelle Kempf-Weibel, MS.
Tailoring patient letters to breast cancer patients – Patient needs and preferences.	Chien-Hui Chuang	Vickie Venne, MS, CGC (Chair); Caren Frost, PhD, MPH; Eric Rosenthal, MS, PhD, CGC
Descriptive review and comparison of clinical outcomes of AFAP patients.*[2010 NSGC poster presentation]	Heidi McCoy	Wendy Kohlmann, MS, CGC (Chair); Deborah Neklason, PhD; Randall Burt, MD
The current standards of practice for delivering genetic test results to clients in prenatal and pediatric genetic counseling specialties.* [2010 NSGC poster presentation]	Jennifer Mueller	Janice Rinsky, MS, CGC (Chair); Jamie McDonald, MS, CGC; Lee Ellington, PhD
Potential indications for prenatal microarray.	Kara Reynolds	Sarah South, PhD (Chair); Alan Rope, MD; Katherine Dunn, MS
Stress and support in rural and urban families.	Tara Somer	Marcia Feldkamp, MPSH, PhD (Chair); Karin Dent, MS, CGC; Caren Frost, PhD, MPH
The value of patient letters in prenatal genetic counseling.	Heather Williams	Rebecca Hulinsky, MS, CGC (Chair); Jonathan Saari, MS, CGC; Erin Rothwell, PhD, Sally Planalp, MA, PhD

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Parent expectations and experiences with support groups for genetic pediatric conditions.	Adrienne Baxter	Janice Palumbos, CGC (Chair); Alan Rope, MD; Lynn Kerr, MD
Effects of genetic testing in HHT.* [2009 HHT meeting platform presentation; Santader, Spain]	Kim Hart	Jamie McDonald, CGC (Chair); Lee Ellington, PhD; Arthur Brothman, PhD
Increasing parent-to-parent support in Utah, parents’ needs, recommendations, and preferences. +~* [2008 Public Health SIG Grant Award; 2009 NSGC platform presentation; Published in J Genet Counsel]	Amber Mathiesen	Karin Dent, CGC (Chair); Marcia Feldkamp, MPSH, PhD; Caren Frost, PhD, MPH
Evaluation of influences when choosing prenatal screening in Utah women age 35 years and older.	Lorraine Naylor	Danielle LaGrave, CGC (Chair); Brent Hafen, CGC; Nancy Rose, MD
Latina mothers of children with Down syndrome and breaking difficult news. +~ [2008 Membership Committee Student Project Award; Published in J Genet Counsel]	Kayla Sheets	John Carey, MD (Chair); Bonnie Baty, CGC; Wendy Hobson-Rohrer, MD
Impact of structured plan of care on stress and coping in parents of children with Prader-Willi syndrome.	Tatiana Tvrdik	David Stevenson, MD (Chair); Karin Dent, CGC; Sidney Thornton, PhD

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Melanoma Risk Communication: Assessing a Personal Risk Communication Model. *+ [2008 NSGC platform presentation; Published in Expert Rev Dermatol]	Katherine Dunn	Wendy Kohlmann, CGC (Chair); Sancy Leachman, MD; Cindy Solomon, CGC
Assessment of the Red-Yellow-Green Diet in Improving Behaviors and Weight Management in the Prader-Willi Syndrome Population.	Sara Goldstein	Sharon Ernst, RD (Chair); Janice Palumbos, CGC; Caren Frost, PhD
Attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions: screening and testing minors for FAP – a patient perspective. *+ [2008 NSGC platform presentation; Published in J Genet Counsel]	Fallon Levine	Anita Kinney, PhD (Chair); Angela Schwab, CGC; David Stevenson, MD
Measuring Genetic Counseling Outcomes.	Shea Patton	Janet Williams, CGC (Chair); David Collingridge, PhD; To Be Named; Marc Williams, MD
Molecular Genetic Testing for Hereditary Hemmorrhagic Telangiectasia on At-Risk, Asymptomatic Children: A Parental Perspective.	Tessa Pitman	Jamie McDonald, CGC (Chair); Lee Ellington, PhD; Carla Reyes, PhD
Evaluating Outcomes of Genetic Counseling for Pancreatic Cancer Sessions.	Kiana Siefkas	Wendy Kohlmann, CGC (Chair); Anita Kinney, PhD; Rob Wong, MD

Title	Student Author	Committee Members
Genetic Counselors’ Attitudes toward Their Pregnancies and Utilization of Prenatal Testing.	Kit Clark	Janet Williams, CGC (Chair); Janice Byrne, MD; Jeffrey Botkin, MD, MPH
Patient responses to P16 Testing in Familial Melanoma: A Grounded Theory Analysis.* [2007 NSGC platform presentation; 2008 NSGC poster presentation]	Heather Hussey	Sancy Leachman, MD, Lisa Aspinwall, PhD (Co-Chairs); Bonnie Baty, CGC; Lisa Wadge, CGC
Health Care Transition for Individuals with NF1: Adult Patient Perspectives.* [2007 NSGC platform presentation]	Michelle Kempf	Karin Dent, CGC (Chair); David Viskochil, MD, PhD; Caren Frost, PhD
Pancreatic Cancer Surveillance Among High-Risk Populations: Knowledge & Intent.+* [2007 NSGC poster presentation; Published in J Genet Counsel]	Zoe Lewis	Karin Dent, CGC (Chair); David Viskochil, MD, PhD; Caren Frost, PhD
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Genetic Counseling Access and Genetic Knowledge.+ [Published in J. Child Neurol]	Candice Meldrum	Kathryn Swoboda, MD (Chair); Nicola Longo, MD; Brent Hafen, CGC
How physicians use array comparative genomic hybridization results to guide patient management in children with developmental delay.+ [Published in Genet Med]	Jennifer Saam	James Gudgeon (Chair); Janice Palumbos, CGC; David Viskochil, MD, PhD