Class of 2027
Anna (Monroe, WI) earned her B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, with a minor in Public Health, from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2022. As an undergraduate student, she worked as an assistant researcher and later as full-time research staff under Dr. Linda McLoon in the Department of Ophthalmology. There, Anna researched the origins of pediatric eye movement disorders, focusing on strabismus and infantile nystagmus syndrome. In addition, Anna volunteered with the Aurora Center as a direct service advocate for survivors of sexual assault, stalking, relationship violence, and harassment. In this role, Anna supported callers on the Aurora hotline and advocated for survivors during sexual assault examinations. She became a trained volunteer with The Trevor Project, serving as a Certified Crisis Counselor for LGBTQ+ youth. Since graduation, Anna has worked at the IU School of Medicine as a research assistant in Pediatric Nephrology. In this role, she developed a biorepository to identify patients in the Riley Children’s Hospital intensive care units with acute kidney injuries (AKIs). Anna is passionate about working with marginalized communities to increase access to genetic counseling. Outside of academics, Anna enjoys exploring new trails with her dog and playing board games with friends.
Ava
Ava (Grafton, WI) earned her B.A. in Biology, Society and the Environment and Spanish from the University of Minnesota in 2024. As an undergraduate student, she volunteered at the Children’s Masonic Cancer Hospital where she discovered her love for the pediatric field. Ava also helped students learn about campus life and how to build a positive community in college in her role as a TA for a First-Year Experience class. Senior year she participated in a course called Personal Genome Analysis, where she researched her genome using data from direct-to-consumer genetic testing. During this course Ava realized her passion for clinical genetics and her desire to further explore the ethics associated with genetic testing. Ava feels passionately about patients and their families receiving exceptional emotional support following medical diagnoses, largely due to experience with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in her own family. She currently volunteers for the Parkinson’s Foundation to spread awareness of the disease and share resources available to those living with Parkinson’s. Going forward, she is excited to explore the numerous specialties the UUGPGC has to offer. Ava can’t wait to move to Utah and enjoy all the hiking trails and beautiful mountains in the area.
Bella
Bella (Baltimore, MD) earned her B.S in Genetics (summa cum laude) from the University of Georgia in 2025. Starting her junior year, Bella worked as an undergraduate researcher in a genetics lab where she investigated the roles of the Gli 1 and Gli 3 gene loci in the context of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and neural development within Anolis sagrei (lizard). Beyond the classroom and lab, Bella served as the president and founder of the One Love chapter at UGA, striving to educate her peers about the signs of an unhealthy relationships and to advocate for an end to intimate partner violence. She also was a member of the family relations committee for UGA Miracle, working closely with families treated at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This experience was extremely impactful and led Bella to connect with a young hydrocephalus patient who inspired her further to pursue a career in genetic counseling. In addition, Bella volunteered as an Athens Clarke County mentor for young students and as a crisis counselor with Crisis Text Line throughout her junior and senior year. In her free time, Bella loves to read, ski, cook, listen to live music, and spend time with her friends and family!
Charlotte
Charlotte (Salt Lake City, UT) earned her B.A. in Biology with a concentration in Cell, Molecular, and Genetics from Boston University in 2024. During her undergraduate years, she served as a peer tutor for courses she had previously taken and contributed to the VETSA study, which explored genetic and environmental factors influencing cognitive and brain aging. Outside the lab and classroom, she worked as a server across from Fenway Park. Following graduation, Charlotte joined the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as a Genetic Testing Coordinator. In this role, she supported genetic counselors by placing orders, managing patient communications, and performing various administrative tasks. She also met with patients actively undergoing cancer treatment, guiding them through genetic testing options, explaining insurance coverage, and obtaining informed consent. In her free time, Charlotte enjoys reading, attending sporting events, taking spin classes, and spending time with her friends and family. She is excited to return to her hometown of Utah and explore the many specialties within genetic counseling at the hospitals she grew up around. Driven by a passion for both genetics and education, she looks forward to helping ensure that all individuals receive clear, accurate information before undergoing genetic testing.
Jenna
Jenna (Centennial, CO) earned her B.A. in Biology and B.S. in Nutrition from Miami University of Ohio in 2023. During her time at Miami, she was a tutor for general chemistry and physiology courses and a volunteer trainer for 4 Paws for Ability, a service dog training organization. After graduating, she moved to Salt Lake City for a GCA position at Huntsman Cancer Institute where she worked with a team of cancer, cardiovascular, and neurology genetic counselors on a variety of cases. In this role, she managed the logistics of genetic testing for patients and found an interest in a role where she can be involved in long-term patient follow-up. She volunteers in her community in SLC as a high school mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah. She really enjoys the mentor leadership role and getting to interact with new people through this program. In her free time, she loves to hike, read, bake, take yoga classes, and enjoy being near the mountains. Jenna is excited to learn skills as a genetic counselor to help people find the sense of empowerment that comes with understanding health information.
Kendall
Kendall (Dayton, OH) earned her B.S. in biological sciences and psychology from Ohio University in 2024. As an undergraduate student, she worked closely with an OB/GYN provider as a medical assistant and greatly appreciated learning about female and prenatal health, as well as interpreting prenatal genetic testing. During her time at Ohio University, Kendall became passionate about seeking out leadership opportunities, such as peer mentor for the honors program and acting as a learning community leader. Following graduation, she moved to Salt Lake City for a GCA position in Primary Children’s pediatric neurology division specializing in ordering rapid whole genome sequencing for children admitted to the hospital. While in this position, she had the opportunity to be involved in the research study Gene Kids which aims to expand whole genome access to children across the state of Utah. Kendall enjoys volunteering at a women’s shelter that provides professional clothing for women, as well as at a refugee center where she works closely with individuals who fled their home countries. In her free time, Kendall enjoys watching comedies such as The Office or Parks and Recreation, reading thrillers, doing crafts like crocheting, and spending time with family and friends. Kendall looks forward to exploring the diverse opportunities within genetic counseling as she continues to grow both clinically and academically.
Lexie
Lexie (Ukiah, CA) earned her B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Cell Biology from Sonoma State University in 2023. As an undergraduate, she was involved in research surrounding mechanism(s) that prevent somatic chromosome pairing during mitosis in a clear cell renal cell carcinoma cell line. Simultaneously, she volunteered as a Crisis Counselor to support the mental well-being of marginalized youth. Her work as a crisis counselor sparked her interest in learning more about intersectionality and how someone’s life experience plays a role in healthcare. Following her undergraduate, Lexie relocated to Omaha, NE to serve as a pediatric genetic counseling associate at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, ordering and tracking genetic testing. She then transitioned to a lab GCA role with genetic testing company GeneDx, where she assisted with test utilization management. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering for and participating in walk-a-thons, writing creative stories, learning line dances, and going hiking. Lexie is excited to utilize her background in advocacy and healthcare to promote patient autonomy and make a meaningful contribution to the genetic counseling field.
Nohelly
Nohelly (Pueblo, CO) earned her B.S. in Biology with a molecular emphasis from Colorado State University – Pueblo in 2022 (magna cum laude), where she tutored a wide range of science courses and served as a Supplemental Instructor for Anatomy and Physiology. She also contributed to research identifying protein functions in newly discovered bacteriophage genes. Outside of school, Nohelly worked as an ER Technician, where she delivered compassionate care by advocating for patients and participating in critical, often lifesaving interventions. Nohelly also served in the Colorado Army National Guard as the Medical NCOIC at the 220th Military Police Company, where she led and mentored the unit’s medics, and oversaw medical readiness. In addition, she served as the company’s Equal Opportunity Leader, promoting a culture of respect and addressing issues related to discrimination. Beyond that, Nohelly volunteers as a victim advocate for survivors of sexual assault. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, painting, and spending time with loved ones. A Mexican-American, Nohelly is passionate about making genetic counseling accessible and culturally responsive, especially for Spanish-speaking communities. She looks forward to combining her commitment to cultural sensitivity with her love of genetics to improve healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations.
Rachel
Rachel (Noblesville, IN) earned her B.S. in Molecular Life Sciences with a concentration in Developmental and Cellular Biology, along with a minor in psychology from Indiana University Bloomington in 2024. Leading up to undergrad, her passion for counseling emerged while interning with elementary school counselors and social workers in her hometown where she created activities for students to discuss emotions and helped them work through any social, academic, or mental health challenges they faced. As an undergraduate, she worked in a molecular biology and genetics lab studying the function of extracellular vesicles in the plant immune response. As a member of this lab, she co-authored a research paper, helped train new undergraduate students, and participated in advocacy experiences involving teaching elementary and high school students about DNA extraction. Rachel also earned her Certified Nursing Assistant certification and worked as an in-home caregiver for a brief time. Following graduation, Rachel began a position as a genetic counseling assistant for Indiana University Health serving the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Metabolism, and Prenatal specialties. She is passionate about being an advocate for patients and increasing knowledge on and accessibility to genetic testing and genetic counseling. In her free time, Rachel loves to do crafts, cook, read, and spend time with her friends, family, and pets.
Zoe
Zoe (Denver, CO) graduated from Denison University in 2024 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Music Performance (summa cum laude). As a student, she worked as a teaching assistant for an introductory molecular biology course as well as a genetics course, and was a tutor for the introductory biology course sequence. Zoe spent three summers working as a camp counselor at Camp Chief Ouray (YMCA of the Rockies), helping campers ages 7 – 17 grow interpersonally and have meaningful outdoor experiences. Her passion for the outdoors led her to become president of the Denison Outdoors Club and serve as a student leader for the first-year backpacking orientation. Other campus involvement included playing as principal cellist in the Denison Symphony Orchestra for two years and serving as a Music Department Fellow. In 2024, she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. After graduation, Zoe worked for AdventHealth as a medical laboratory assistant and phlebotomist, which gave her hands-on experience with patient care and opportunities to collaborate with others in a healthcare setting. She is looking forward to exploring pediatric, prenatal, and laboratory genetic counseling. In her free time, Zoe enjoys skiing, hiking, reading, and playing the cello.
Class of 2026
Bobby
Bobby (Sumner, IL) earned a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2016 and a M.S. in Biological Sciences from Eastern Illinois University in 2020. Following his undergraduate degree, he served as a caregiver for two years with hospice patients who experienced neurological disorders. This experience led him to work in a neuroscience lab at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, where he helped elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying nervous and immune system interactions in neurodegenerative disorders. He transitioned from the lab to a clinical setting working as a genetic counselor assistant at the Basser Center at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Bobby has volunteered the past four years with the Williams Syndrome Association, serving as a camp counselor for kids camp and teen camp. He is looking forward to continue his advocacy work and assist communities in understanding the challenges faced by marginalized groups. In his free time, he competes as a pickleball player in tournaments nationwide and experiences the outdoors by skiing and hiking.
Corinne
Corinne (Tulsa, OK) earned her B.S. in Biology and a minor in Psychology (summa cum laude) from the University of Oklahoma in 2024. As an undergraduate, she worked as a Resident Advisor for three years, guiding first-year students through their college experience. Corinne simultaneously worked as a Student Assistant at the OU Honors College, aiding the faculty, staff, and students of the Honors College through clerical work. Outside of work, Corinne made an effort to support fellow students in a number of leadership roles on campus, including Students for Reproductive Justice, the OU Food Pantry, Withrow Leadership Scholars, and the Honors Student Diversity Council. Corinne explored different forms of advocacy through various volunteer opportunities. Her most impactful experience was volunteering on the Medical/Surgical floor at St. John Medical Center, where she witnessed the importance of mental health advocacy for healthcare providers. Inspired by her two years of American Sign Language classes, Corinne’s IRB-approved research and respective thesis focused on Deaf patient experiences in genetic counseling appointments. Corinne looks forward to exploring her interests in neurogenetics and Deaf cultural education among genetic counselors.
Emma
Emma (Conifer, CO) earned her B.S. in Health and Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine with Honors from Colorado State University. During her undergraduate time, she was a camp counselor and camp director for Camp Kesem, a summer camp for children with guardians with cancer. Emma worked as a contact tracer for COVID-19, which sparked her passion for merging public health education and counseling individuals. After undergrad she worked as Program Coordinator for the Parkinson Association of the Rockies where she focused on educational outreach, relationship between exercise and Parkinson’s research, and led support groups. She continued her education at the University of Washington, where she received her Master of Public Health Genetics, focusing her thesis on the feasibility of using patient navigation to improve the identification of inherited colorectal cancer syndromes. She completed her practicum with the Alaska Department of Health Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program where she implemented site surveys and visit protocols. Emma is excited to utilize her background in public health and passion for individual autonomy to work towards increasing accessibility to genetic counseling. Outside of academics, Emma loves to paddleboard, hike, and tuft rugs!
Genevieve
Genevieve (Salt Lake City, UT) earned her B.A. in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of San Diego in 2021, where she was a member of the Honors Program and USD Cheer Team. As a senior, she had the opportunity to complete her honors thesis on the genetic components of Alzheimer’s disease, which was presented at USD’s 2021 Honor’s Colloquium. Following graduation, she worked as a behavioral health technician for children with developmental disabilities, which sparked her interest in pediatric neurogenetics and rare disease research. She also volunteered with Crisis Text Line as a crisis counselor. For the past two years, she has worked as a clinical research coordinator at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, where she coordinated research studies and clinical trials in the department of pediatric surgery. She also had the opportunity to independently investigate several research topics relating to trauma and burn surgery, which she presented at several national conferences. In her free time, Genevieve enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. She has a strong interest in pediatric neurogenetics, and she is excited to learn more about the role of genetic counselors in a multidisciplinary clinic setting.
Jacqueline
Jacqueline (Chicago, IL) earned her B.S. in Biology with a molecular emphasis and minors in bioethics and psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 2024 (magna cum laude). As an undergraduate, she worked on analyzing polygenic risk scores for obesity and their application to the genetic counseling field in a quantitative genetics lab. She also completed a bioethics capstone on the ethical considerations of genome editing. Jacqueline develops her passion for alleviating language barriers by volunteering with CommunityHealth in Chicago, through which she virtually medically interprets between physicians and patients across the United States. She also volunteers as a teaching assistant and substitute teacher for elementary grades at the Tadeusz Kosciuszko School of Polish Language in Chicago, of which she is an alumna. This experience allowed her to develop teaching expertise and cultivate the skills of supporting the academic needs of students with diverse learning styles. Jacqueline keeps her Polish roots close by Polish folk dancing and recently training as a choreographer after dancing for 16 years. She enjoys biking and visiting state parks. In the future, she is excited to merge her enthusiasm for genetics and connecting with others to make a meaningful contribution to the genetic counseling field.
Jaicee
Jaicee (Sun River, MT) earned her B.S. in Biomedical Science and a minor in History (summa cum laude) from Union College in Lincoln, NE on a full tuition academic scholarship. As an undergraduate, Jaicee tutored for a variety of science courses, including Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and General Chemistry. She also worked as an Organic Chemistry TA, a faculty assistant in the English department, and assisted with Biochemistry lab prep. Jaicee had the opportunity to assist in a research project examining differential gene expression following a pesticide treatment on corn and soy. During summers, she worked on her family’s ranch, operating a swather and combine. Following graduation, Jaicee worked as a Therapeutic Youth Mentor, supporting youth with mental health diagnoses through one-on-one visits in the community. She also worked as an elementary substitute teacher and found she loved supporting in the self-contained resource classrooms. Jaicee enjoyed volunteering for Eagle Mount’s adaptive snow sports program, sharing her love of skiing with kids who may not have otherwise been able to participate in the sport. She hopes to help increase access to genetic counseling, especially in rural communities.
Kalynn
Kalynn (Iowa City, IA) earned her B.S. in Biology on the Genetics and Biotechnology Track from the University of Iowa in 2023. For her first two and a half years as an undergraduate student, Kalynn was involved in genetic research investigating the gene trpm7 in the survival and pigmentation of melanocytes and was awarded the opportunity to present her project at a national conference. After learning about the field of genetic counseling, Kalynn pursued a position as a genetic counseling assistant in the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Volunteering as a student Ambassador for the Department of Biology, Kalynn was also engaged in promoting awareness about the field of genetic counseling to incoming students, offering guidance and resources to aspiring professionals in the field. Following her graduation, Kalynn relocated to Salt Lake City to work as a genetic counseling assistant at Primary Children’s Hospital. Specializing primarily in neurology while also contributing to various other specialties and clinics within the hospital, Kalynn discovered her passion for pediatric genetics. She looks forward to contributing to accessibility of genetic testing and counseling for children and their families.
Natalie
Natalie (Dearborn, MI) earned her B.A in biochemistry from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. During her time at DePauw, she was a Science Research Fellow, and worked as a Research Assistant in two labs, involving projects on the structural integrity of metal organic frameworks and the classification of missense variants of LDHA. Natalie was also a First Year Mentor, working directly with incoming freshmen to help them find connection and community on campus. During an internship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), she discovered a passion for pediatric care and health equity while working with sickle cell anemia patients. After graduation, she returned to CHOP to work as a GCA in pediatric leukodystrophy, working with families from all over the world seeking specialized neurological care. She then worked as a GCA for the Cancer Risk Evaluation Program at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Natalie discovered genetic counseling through a personal diagnosis, and her goal is to provide the same standard of care to others that she received as a patient. During her time at University of Utah, she looks forward to experiencing a range of specialties within genetic counseling and ultimately seeks to be a patient-centered provider, working with pediatric and young adult oncology patients.
Rebekah
Rebekah (Pocatello, ID) earned her B.S. in Secondary Education of Natural Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her M.A. in Physics Education from Western Governors University. As an undergrad, she worked an internship with Idaho National Laboratories (INL), then as a volunteer in a parasitology laboratory, and finally as a research assistant studying the efficacy of teacher training models – following her passion for all things science. After graduation, Rebekah became a secondary science teacher, guiding students through biology, astronomy, physics, and chemistry classes. She demonstrated a strong commitment to education by developing comprehensive and state-accessible curricular materials, alongside a team of teachers. Additionally, she displayed a desire to positively impact public education by taking on roles such as a teacher lead at professional development workshops, mentor teacher, clubs advisor, and chair of the physics department. Rebekah now volunteers at St Mark’s Hospital with the Cancer Services Program and works as a GCA for St. Mark’s, Timpanogos Regional, and Ogden Regional Medical Centers for their Cancer Genetics programs. She is excited to dive into the field of genetic counseling and continue to pursue her twin passions: science and helping others.
Shivani
Shivani (Gilroy, CA) earned her B.S. in Genetics & Genomics and a Minor in Psychology from the University of California, Davis in 2022. As an undergraduate student, she was involved in the Genetic Counseling Club. As the President, her goal was to maintain a community for students to seek their interest in Genetic Counseling. Shivani was also a Student Research Assistant at Sudarshana Lab, which focused on plant pathology. During her time, she assisted in running a variety of assays for Grapevine Red Blotch Virus and she collaborated on a project to standardize on-site detection using tHDA assay. Senior year, Shivani was trained to volunteer for Crisis Text Line to be a resource for individuals. Since graduation, she has worked at Golden Vision as an Optometric Technician where she assisted patients in their appointments and was trained for Dry Eye Treatments. Shivani enjoys volunteering for her community, so she volunteered at FORCE as a Patient Advocate Leader where she talks with local lawmakers about hereditary cancer. Shivani is looking forward to working with patients in a clinical setting in Ophthalmology and she hopes to work towards bringing awareness to other providers and patients about the role of genetic counselors.