Rachel,
originally from Brazil, earned a bachelors degree in Biochemistry from Indiana
University Bloomington in 2002. Since graduation, Rachel's worked in a laboratory
doing drosophilia genetics, and has found time to observe genetic counseling,
volunteer at Planned Parenthood and to work as a "big sister."
Angie received her bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Puget
Sound in Washington State in 2001. She has spent several years working in a molecular laboratory,
and has also worked in a domestic violence shelter and on the maternity ward at a local hospital, and
during college she functioned as a tutor to underprivileged adolescent girls on basic science skills.
Amy graduated in 2002 from Wells College in upstate NY, with a degree in Biologic and
Chemical Sciences. After graduation, Amy has worked in a C. elegans molecular genetics laboratory in
Minnesota for several years, and has volunteered in various medical settings including with a midwife at
Planned Parenthood.
Franchesca received a Molecular and Cell Biology degree from the University of California,
Berkeley in 2002. Originally from Taiwan, Franchesca has spent the past several years working in molecular
genetics laboratories, volunteering at a crisis support service center, providing HIV testing and counseling
for students at a local university and observing various genetic counseling sessions at Kaiser Permanente.
Ronit earned her bachelors degree in Human Biology from Scripps College in 2005. She has spent
time observing genetic counseling in various settings, worked as a counselor for teenagers in an online and phone
setting, and has worked with children with autism. Ronit has also taken on leadership roles in the California and
National Associations for Blind Students.
Carly graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2004 with a degree in Biology. She
currently works as a research assistant in neurology at Wayne State University coordinating the CMT-X research projects.
She has also received a teaching certificate, completed student teaching in a high school biology program, and has been a
"food counselor" working with clients in crisis at Ypsilanti Community Services program.
Erin earned a bachelors degree from the Wesleyan College (Georgia) in Biology in 2005. She
has completed two summer internships in molecular genetics research at Mt. Sinai and Baylor College of Medicine,
and has also shadowed genetic counselors in several settings, worked as a volunteer at a pediatric oncology floor
and with a cardiovascular patient representative.
Jessica received her bachelors degree in Biology from Grand Valley State University in 2005.
She has shadowed prenatal and pediatric genetic counselors at Spectrum Health, including work on the Michigan State
Birth Defects Registry and on a research project regarding Fetal Alcohol syndrome.
Angela (Angie) received her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, with a minor in psychology, from Clemson University in 2006. Prior to joining the program, Angie has volunteered at a Psychiatric Hospital and has shadowed Genetic Counselors.
Kate earned her bachelor’s degree in Cell & Molecular Biology from Colby College in 2005. Kate has been a volunteer advocate at the Rape Crisis centers in both Maine and Burlington, Vermont. Most recently, she has worked as a research assistant at the University of Vermont studying the role of genetics in cardiovascular health.
Jessica graduated from University of Guelph, Canada with a Molecular Biology and Genetics degree in 2005. She has worked on an undergraduate genetic project on inflammation in sheep, shadowed genetic counselors and through that experience conducted a study concerning CVS accuracy. She also spent several years as a volunteer and mentor at the Distress Centre Wellington-Dufferin.
Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and French from Grinnell College in 2004. Megan is currently a Research Technician at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, implementing genetic association studies on polycystic ovary syndrome, and she has had the opportunity to observe genetic counseling sessions.
Ann obtained her Biology degree at the University of British Columbia, Canada in 2003. For the past year, Ann worked in England as a Medical Technical Officer, where she was involved in genetic testing, observing genetic counseling and home visits by nurses. She also worked at Sheffield University as a Biomedical Sciences Research Technician studying DNA proteins.
Nikita graduated in 2005 from Bryn Mawr College with a bachelor’s in Biology. Nikita has spent many hours as a volunteer counselor at Planned Parenthood; she also shadowed a prenatal Genetic Counselor, and acted as a Biology teaching assistant.
Christina (Chrissy) received her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut in 2003. Christina just completed an internship at the Genetic Alliance in Washington DC. She previously was a Case Coordinator for QTC Medical Services and volunteered at an inner-city free clinic in Los Angeles.
Emily graduated from the University of Delaware with a Psychology degree in 2006. Emily has spent time as a Research Assistant on the Parent-Teen Project, has shadowed genetic counselors, and has volunteered at Planned Parenthood of Delaware.
Ashley received her bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology at the University of Minnesota in 2005. Ashley has spent time volunteering for a battered women shelter and crisis-line. Prior to joining the program, she worked as a lab assistant to help in the development of DNA detection tests for clinical diseases and was employed at ViroMed Laboratories in Minnesota.
Jessica graduated with a bachelor’s in Biology from University of Wisconsin in 2005. During her time as an undergraduate student, Jessica completed several independent research projects in microbial genetics and environmental toxicology. Since that time she has been a Molecular laboratory technician in a Zebrafish molecular genetics laboratory at the University of Wisconsin, and also spent time observing cancer genetic counseling.
