Current Student Profiles
Class of 2010
Kristen Barker received her bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology from Ohio University in 2006. In the summer of 2007, Kristen was a summer intern here at Northwestern. She then went on to work at the Center for Maternal and Fetal Health in Evanston, which gave her an opportunity to shadow genetic counselors in cancer genetics, prenatal care and pediatric care. She also volunteers for a domestic violence crisis hotline.
Amanda Bretl earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry in 2007 from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. She has shadowed genetic counselors and geneticists in the medical genetics department at Marshfield Clinic. Prior to joining the program, she was employed with Prevention Genetics and performed tasks such as PCR, sequencing of templates, and genetic trace analysis and comparison.
Chantalle Buhl received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Buena Vista University in 2007. She has been a genetic counseling intern at the Hubert Humphrey Cancer Center of Minnesota as well as a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow at the Mayo Clinic where she created viral vectors for gene therapy. Chantalle also volunteered at Planned Parenthood and worked at Partners in Excellence with children with cerebral palsy and autism.
Lauren Burch graduated from Haverford College with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in psychology in 2008. Lauren has extensive lab and research experience and, upon learning about genetic counseling, sought out internships in the field. In January 2008, Lauren completed her internship here at Northwestern, shadowing both prenatal and cancer risk genetic counselors.
Erica Hudson obtained her bachelor’s degree in life sciences from Queens University in 2003. After graduation, she participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program for three years, during which she volunteered with the Peer Support Group. Since returning, Erica has volunteered for the Cancer Center of Southeastern Ontario and TALK, a confidential crisis hotline.
Amy Knight Johnson received her bachelor’s degree in genetics from the University of Nottingham in 2006. In the summer of 2007, Amy participated in Northwestern University’s summer internship program and shadowed genetic counselors in oncology, pediatrics and prenatal clinics. She has also volunteered at the National Runaway Switchboard, a confidential hotline for runaway youth, and was employed as a Family Support Worker by Little City Foundation, working directly with children with autism.
Meredith Jones graduated from Susquehanna University with a bachelor's degree in biopsychology in 2007. She completed an internship with the genetic counselors at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA and also completed a mental health practicum at the Selinsgrove Center. Prior to joining the program, Meredith was employed by Lebanon County Children and Youth Services as an intake caseworker.
Holly LaDuca earned her bachelor’s degree in health science from Benedictine University in 2007. She has shadowed cancer genetic counselors in Madison, Wisconsin and a prenatal genetic counselor at Children’s Memorial Hospital. Holly has also volunteered for the Dane County Rape Crisis Center Hotline.
Jessica Martin obtained a degree in biochemistry from Miami University in Ohio in 2008. Jessica has shadowed genetic counselors at University Hospital in Cleveland, OH and Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. She was a genetics intern at Case Western Reserve University, where she worked on a clinical cancer genetics e-curriculum for medical students. She also volunteered as a support group facilitator at Fernside, a center for grieving children that have experienced a sibling loss.
Mary Ouwinga Post received her bachelor's degree in biology from Trinity Christian College in 2007. She worked with children who had special needs at Elim Christian Services in Palos Heights, IL and constructed a genetic disorders manual for them during her time there.
Kristen Rietsema obtained her biology degree from Dordt College in 2005 and her master’s degree in biological sciences from South Dakota State University in 2008. She participated in an internship at Northwestern in 2005 and then worked as a cytogeneticist, responsible for blood culturing, processing and interpreting FISH.
Class of 2011
Brook DeMoisy Croke received her bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2006. For the past two years she's worked in Springfield, Illinois as a researcher for the Illinois State Legislature and volunteered for Memorial Home Services Hospice. Brook shadowed genetic counselors in Springfield, Illinois and Champaign, Illinois and participated in Northwestern's summer internship program in 2008.
Kimberly Forbes graduated in 2008 from the University of California Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in biopsychology. She was an International Student Volunteer in the Dominican Republic in the summer of 2007. During the past year she shadowed genetic counselors at the Prenatal Diagnostic Center at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and was a genetic counseling intern at the University of California San Francisco Cancer Risk Program. She was also a peer support volunteer at Shanti, an organization working to enhance the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and breast cancer.
Kelsey Gilmore received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and social behavior from the University of California, Irvine in 2008. Upon graduating, she worked as the hereditary cancer program assistant at Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach, CA, where she shadowed a genetic counselor in cancer genetics, scheduled patients, and compiled patient workups. She has also volunteered for Project Cuddle, an organization that seeks to prevent infant abandonment.
Sara Goblirsch graduated from Bellarmine University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Following graduation, she began an internship in cancer genetic counseling at Louisville Oncology, part of Norton Cancer Institute, in Louisville, KY. While completing her internship, Sara also spent time shadowing pediatric genetic counselors at the University of Louisville.
Praveen Kaushik will receive his bachelor's degree in human genetics from University College London. Prior to joining the program, he took part in many different voluntary projects from helping impoverished farmers in the Peruvian Amazon to volunteering at homeless shelters at Crisis UK. He was also employed by The Centre for Genetic Anthropology in London, where he carried out the DNA extractions for PhD students.
Christie Maier graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in genetics and a certificate in women’s studies. While in school, Christie participated in an independent study with the UW-Madison genetic counseling program and viewed genetic counseling sessions in a variety of clinics and hospitals. She also volunteered as a crisis line counselor for the Dane County Rape Crisis Center.
Deepika Nathan received her bachelor's of technology degree in genetic engineering from SRM University, Chennai, India in 2009. She completed two intensive genetic counseling internships with renowned clinics in India-Mediscan Systems and St. Johns Hospital, and has worked with children, concentrating mainly on children with autism and Down syndrome. She has also completed a PG Diploma degree in psychological counseling conducted by the Institute for Psychotherapy and Management Sciences (IPMS), India.
Jill Nichols received her bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Michigan State University in 2006 and a master's in secondary science curriculum from National Louis in 2005. Prior to joining the program, Jill was a part of the Teach For America program and worked as a high school science teacher for six years in the Chicagoland area. She also volunteers for Bright Pink, helping to organize a series of Breast and Ovarian Health 101 sessions reaching a variety of women in Chicago. Jill also counsels a cancer fighter with the same disease as her own through the Imerman Angels one-on-one cancer support network.
Ashley Peterson obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2007 in psychology, zoology, and biology with a specialization in neuroscience. Prior to joining the program Ashley worked as a junior scientist in developmental biology laboratory at the University of Minnesota where she gained extensive lab and research experience. Ashley also had the opportunity to shadow genetic counselors in both maternal-fetal medicine and metabolic clinics. Ashley has also worked as an advocate for women who are victims of domestic abuse through the AdvoCare program at Park Nicollet Hospital.
Taylor Sale graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in analytical and behavioral genetics and a leadership certificate. After graduation, she joined the St. Louis corps of Teach for America and has been teaching high school science for the past two years.
Tara Scriver received her bachelor’s degree with a specialization in genetics from the University of Alberta in 2007. She was previously employed by the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, AB, where she gained valuable experience in laboratory research. She has volunteered with a Sexual Assault Centre where she did both crisis intervention work and group presentations related to creating awareness about sexualized violence. She also shadowed genetic counselors at the University of Alberta Hospital in the summer of 2007.
