UUGPGC Spotlight

Carolina is from Midlothian, Virginia. She earned her BS in Biology with a focus in cellular and molecular biology from Old Dominion University in 2018. She worked at Planned Parenthood and a private OB/GYN practice prior to beginning her journey of earning a Masters in Genetic Counseling at the University of Utah. During that time, she held numerous leadership roles while gaining abundant crisis counseling experience and formed a keen interest in prenatal health care. Her consistent collaboration with prenatal genetic counselors and laboratory genetic counselors helped solidify her decision to pursue genetic counseling. In her free time, Carolina enjoys practicing yoga, creative cooking and going on walks with her dog, Rosie. She is looking forward to hiking with friends and exploring Salt Lake City.

David Viskochil, MD, PhD, is Professor of Pediatrics and director of the Neurofibromatosis Clinic at the University of Utah. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Arizona and his doctorate in biochemistry and medical degree from the University of North Carolina. He completed his residency and clinical genetics fellowship at the University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals. His medical genetics training at the University of Utah was mentored by Dr. John Carey and Dr. Ray White.

Dr. Viskochil has focused his research in the molecular genetics of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and is now working on the clinical aspects of NF1, including clinical trials. He was the recipient of a Young Investigator Award from the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation (now CTF; Children’s Tumor Foundation) in 1988.

He is the director of the medical genetics training programs and serves as the medical director of the UUGPGC. He is on the advocacy and legislative affairs committee of the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) and serves as the chair of the Utah Newborn Screening Program. He is also a member of the Utah Rare Disorders Advisory Council and executive committees of the Penelope Program, Center for Genomic Medicine, and the Utah Prader-Willi Syndrome Clinic.

Not so much of a hiker or skier, Dave likes to knock a golf ball around and shoot hoops with the old farts. He has a lovely partner (Barb), 2 boys (Rich and Joe + Kayla), and 2 neat grandkids (Hadley and Holden) who live too far away. His favorite chromosome is 17.