黑料视频

Laura grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and pursued her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at Colorado State University. Initially, she had a strong interest in pursuing medical school, but over time realized her career goals were pushing her in another direction.

After graduating, Laura worked in scientific research at the VA Boston Healthcare System, first studying the effects of ischemia on the bladder, then transitioning to studying neurodegenerative diseases in conjunction with the Boston University CTE Center. Throughout this time, Laura
came to realize she was passionate about forming connections with others in healthcare, and discovered genetic counseling as a way to form those connections and to help guide others through their healthcare journeys.

In her free time, Laura loves to explore all that New England has to offer, taking hikes with her dog and seeking out unique new restaurants in the area with her partner and friends. She is extremely grateful to be joining 黑料视频's genetic counseling program and looks forward to connecting with her cohort and beyond!

Crystal Armstrong was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a focus on Genetics, Cell & Development, and a minor in German Studies. During her undergraduate career, she participated in research investigating bog water bacteria for antibiotic therapeutic potential for tuberculosis. She also led a STEM Discovery Day activity for local middle and high school students. After graduation, Crystal dedicated her time as a Family Support Counselor for the Luca John Foundation, a charity that supports families following infant loss. 

Crystal works as a GCA at a multi-specialty clinic in Duluth, Minnesota. Through this role, she is able to interact with patients and support a team of 4 amazing Genetic Counselors. Working in this position has reinforced her desire to pursue a career in Genetic Counseling, a dream she has had since early high school.

In her free time, Crystal enjoys crafting, baking, attending music festivals, and spending time with friends and family, including her 18-pound Maine Coon cat named Beans. She is thrilled to join the 黑料视频 Genetic Counseling program.  

Olivia Caffrey is from North Andover, Massachusetts, and she and her family have lived in New Mexico. She loved her molecular biology classes in high school, and she went to the 2017 NSGC Annual Conference in Columbus, OH. After hearing the case studies and more about the profession, she couldn’t imagine wanting any other career as much, and this is still how she feels today. 

Olivia graduated from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology with high honors and a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, with the science option in Biology and engineering concentration in Bioinformatics, and a minor in Hispanic Studies. She also worked with her advisor to research male contraception. She volunteered with Crisis Text Line, where she learned to help people in crisis by using good contact techniques and empathy. After graduating, Olivia took a gap year and taught middle school P.E. in Hobbs, NM. Now, she is the service coordinator for Amigos & Advocates, an Intellectual/Developmental Disability waiver provider agency. The agency provides home- and community- based services to help people with disabilities to live with their families and be integrated into the community.

Olivia currently lives in Hobbs, NM, with her husband, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and pets, visiting her family, going out to eat, knitting, and doing her nails.

Makenzie Cox was born and raised just outside of Charlotte in Monroe, North Carolina. She fell in love with genetics in her first year of high school after extracting strawberry DNA for a lab. Makenzie went on to attend Western Carolina University, where she graduated as a member of the Brinson Honors College in December of 2022 with a BS in Biology (pre-health professional concentration) and a Minor in Chemistry. While in undergrad, she juggled working as a peer academic coach who helped advise first-year students on how to navigate their first semester of their undergraduate careers and volunteering with the Crisis Text Line. Additionally, Makenzie participated in undergraduate research investigating whether stress factors, specifically starvation, impacted the rate of autophagy in human embryonic kidney cells.

Upon graduating, Makenzie started working in an outpatient physical therapy clinic where she was able to interact with patients and medical professionals every day, helping grow her confidence in patient care. In 2024, she was awarded the opportunity to become a trainer for incoming team members, which exposed her to the intricacies of educating others on new concepts. Makenzie is ecstatic to join 黑料视频 University’s Genetic Counseling Program. She is very passionate about helping compassionately guide others to understanding more about their circumstances and expanding comprehensive care to underserved communities.

Makenzie now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her cat, AC. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, spending time with friends and family, and exploring the outdoors.

Lex Edgin was born and raised in southern Indiana and currently lives in Indianapolis. They graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2022 with a degree in biology, nurturing a love for genetics and psychology along the way. 

Since graduating, Lex has spent her time as a behavior therapist, working closely with children with ASD and their families. She has felt especially rewarded impacting the lives of her clients both in schools and in clinical environments. They have also garnered counseling experience through their work as a crisis counselor with the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ centered nonprofit Lex holds close to her heart.

In her free time, you can find Lex hanging with their friends, reading, singing at the hottest karaoke spot, or playing video games while her three cats watch on.

Kelly Gaiser grew up on a farm near Kansas City, Missouri, where she became fascinated with genetics. She obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in both biology and anthropology from the University of Missouri, which led her to medical genetics.

Kelly pursued this interest with doctoral studies at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland. She joined the researchers at Shriners Hospital for Children to study skeletal dysplasias. Through conversations with families, Kelly felt fortunate to have the opportunity to connect her research to patients who would benefit from her work. After obtaining her PhD, she taught at the University of Colorado in the Biology Department.

At the time, Kelly had no idea how graduate school would prepare her for the trials of life. When young, her son was diagnosed with autism. Her family immediately began their quest to understand his condition. Kelly decided to put her career on hold so that she could devote the necessary time to take care of her family.

Kelly admits that having a child with a disability is the most challenging, exhausting, frustrating, and rewarding journey that she has ever attempted. Today, our son is a sophomore in high school, and we are extremely proud to say that he is becoming a happy, independent young man.

Kelly currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and son. Their daughter is a senior at UC-Berkeley studying mechanical engineering. Kelly is excited about being a student again and learning how to support other parents with a disability in their life.

Matthew Gensler was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Biology.

Since then, Matt has worked as a high school teacher, where he taught anatomy and pathophysiology classes. He is excited to implement his teaching experience and love of science in his new endeavor as a genetic counselor.

In his free time, Matt enjoys being outside (whether it’s hiking, fishing, or playing sports) and playing video games.

Veronica Hoac is from Burlington, Massachusetts, and graduated from UMass Amherst in 2024 with a Bachelor's in Biology. Veronica has always been a strong advocate for volunteer work and leadership. Since middle school, she accumulated hundreds of hours in local community service from Lahey Clinic to elementary school events. She translated that into college, becoming one of the founding members of Circle K International at UMA. During this time, she became a Teacher's Assistant for a variety of STEM classes while being a Residential Assistant and maintaining a Laboratory Assistant job, where she studied arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

As a busybody, Veronica always knew she would go into higher education. While interning at a medical diagnostic testing company, she researched ways to keep her large extended family safe after a relative was diagnosed with cancer. When Veronica discovered genetic counseling, she knew this was her calling. She is passionate about the blending of service work with a heart for science, and looks forward to continuing learning.

In her free time, Veronica enjoys baking, crocheting, and movies. She is currently reading The Lord of the Rings trilogy and adores her FIV+ cat.

Making mud pies, running barefoot, and always trying to make wild animals her pets-Jessica Huff was born curious about the world around her.  That curiosity was the driving force behind most of her decisions, and after her younger years had passed, she decided to see where that curiosity would lead her in the United States Air Force. While serving in the military, Jessica traveled the world and immersed herself in many unique cultures. Even while adventuring to different countries, she actively pursued her associate’s degree in science through Pikes Peak State College’s online learning program. 

After separating from the military, Jessica spent her free time expanding her knowledge in science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, mothering her two wonderful daughters, and volunteering to help communities in need throughout Punta Cana.

Jessica’s fascination with epigenetics and passion for genetics cultivated her career decision to become a genetic counselor, where she can employ her empathetic and inquisitive nature. She is thrilled to start this new chapter of her life, not only because she has yearned for a career that could make a difference in people’s lives, but also to make her two little ones proud.

When she is not thinking of goals and aspirations, Jessica loves to spend time with her family, her two dogs Argo and Kaido, and her horse Togo. She delights in inspiring young imaginations by writing children’s stories, all while leaving some time for herself on the weekends to dive into the pages of the imaginary world of fiction. 

Harita Joshi discovered her calling in genetics as an undergraduate volunteer at thalassemia awareness and screening camps, where she saw firsthand how clear, compassionate counseling could help families navigate life-changing decisions. That formative experience set her on a path to combine science with empathy.

She went on to earn an MS in Biomedical Genetics and gained hands-on expertise in reproductive genetics and oncology through roles and training at Deverra IVF, 4basecare, Cooper Hospital, and the Tata Memorial Centre in India. Now serving as a Genetic Counseling Assistant, Harita supports PGT-M and PGT-A case reviews, coordinates with clinics and laboratories, organizes medical records, and develops patient-focused educational resources. Her professional interests include ocular and psychiatric genetics, with a particular passion for expanding equitable access so that all families can receive timely, evidence-based care.

Since relocating to Marlton, New Jersey in 2024, Harita has embraced the outdoors and creative expression. She enjoys acrylic painting, weekend travel, and exploring local hiking trails. She is also an avid traveler with a long-term goal of visiting every state and, one day, every country. A lifelong reptile enthusiast, she completed hands-on wildlife rescue training with the Nature Club in Gujarat and never misses an opportunity to share her knowledge and enthusiasm about snakes, crocodiles, and other members of the scaly world.

Karina Kwiatkowski has found her forever home in the beautiful state of West Virginia, where she lives with her = husband and her Shih Tzu, Bonny. After graduating from the University of Kentucky with her master’s in Secondary Biology Education, she taught high school science for 7 years in Kentucky and Maine. Karina started an online program in Human Genetics and Genomics through Southern California University of Health Sciences, as research for a Human Heredity elective course she was developing. Through that program, she fell in love with Genetic Counseling. She is incredibly excited to be starting this new chapter in her life and hopes to be able to provide genetic counseling services to her underserved rural community.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing pickleball, being terrible at golf, doing DIY home and garden projects, trying new restaurants, hiking, and exploring her beautiful state with her husband. The Shih Tzu is kind of a monster, but undeniably adorable.

Addison Lincoln grew up outside of Fort Dodge, Iowa, with her two siblings. Addison graduated from Iowa State University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology. She was initially interested in attending medical school until her senior year of college. Addison shadowed physicians in a variety of specialties and gained research experience. She grew to enjoy medical research and meaningful patient interactions. With her background in psychology and research, Addison wanted to find a career path that could encompass both of these passions, ultimately deciding to pursue genetic counseling.

After graduation, Addison moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, in part, to access research opportunities during her gap year from graduate school. Addison worked as a part-time Research Technician in Dr. Bryn Webb's Lab studying ultra-rare diseases, which only deepens her passion for research. Addison was also employed as an ABA Behavior Technician, working with children with Autism. Addison enjoys giving parents of her clients hope for their child's future and giving them skills to improve their child's quality of life.

Addison enjoys spending time with her partner and bonus sons in her free time. They often visit zoos, parks and water-based activities together. Addison is looking forward to beginning the Genetic Counseling Master's program at 黑料视频 University. She is looking forward to starting her capstone project and clinical rotations.

Caitlyn Lodovico was born in Tacoma, WA, but mostly grew up in Honolulu, HI. As a former army kid, moving around the country and internationally taught her how to adapt to new environments from a very young age. Each move shaped her perspective and fostered an appreciation for learning from different communities and cultures. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and a minor in History.

Initially planning for medical school, she discovered genetic counseling towards the end of her undergraduate career. She realized that genetic counseling combined her natural interest in genetics and rare disease with her passion for teaching and helping others. After graduation, she learned as much as she could about genetic counseling and began working at a physical therapy clinic as an aide and administrative assistant. Her work in physical therapy was a crucial experience that showed her how barriers in healthcare affect patients, and this fueled her desire to do what she can to break them down.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, learning about history, spending time with her dogs, playing video games, and trying new foods. She is excited to join BPU’s genetic counseling program and hopes to expand access to personalized care for the underserved

Brianna Lowry was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Brianna is a self-proclaimed genetics nerd because she has been absolutely fascinated by the topic since as early as Kindergarten. In elementary school, she used to love analyzing her own family photos as well as friends’ in order to draw comparisons between the family members. Once middle school hit, she took all the biology classes available to her, and she knew going into university that genetics would be the path she would pursue in some capacity. Brianna graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Cellular/Molecular Biology and a double minor in Chemistry & Psychology. During her junior year, Brianna worked on a micropublication that worked with manual and computational genome mapping in order to build the genome of Drosophila Melanogaster, which will earn her a coauthor credit when it is officially published. Also during her junior year, she learned about the Genetic Counseling career and - with a newfound passion for counseling through her psychology minor - she knew that she had found the career path for her. Professionally, her goal is to improve people’s quality of life by helping people learn more about their own genetics and by becoming informed about what genetic conditions they or future children could potentially face in the future.

In her free time, Brianna spends the vast majority of her time outdoors and exploring. Hiking, playing sports, and travelling are among her favorite hobbies. She also enjoys singing, reading, and researching history. She hopes to pursue a part-time career in genealogy as well once she feels secure in her full-time career as a genetic counselor. 

Mariah McCarthy grew up in Rutland, MA, where she attended Colby Sawyer College for one year and finished her undergraduate time at UMass Lowell. She graduated magna cum laude in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Psychology. She loved being involved in the community. She is currently the president of the alumnae chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau, attends Zumba at the local YMCA in Brighton, MA, and works with community members as a Health Navigator in the Addiction Treatment Program at Fenway Community Health Center.

Mariah was first introduced to genetic counseling in college, and after graduating, and became a medical assistant at Emerson Hospital, and then a program assistant and health navigator at FCHC, and kept returning to her dreams of being a genetic counselor.

Mariah will be moving to Savannah, Georgia, in the fall, and she is so excited to get back into the academic swing of things! Mariah loves to embroider, bake sourdough, cook exciting new meals, and relax at the beach!

Ellie Nichols grew up in Oxford, CT, and graduated as a dual degree student from Western New England University. She earned her M.S. in Pharmacogenomics and B.S. in Neuroscience with a concentration in Psychology. Through her independent PGx laboratory experience, Ellie performed a PCR-RFLP genotyping study on the HFE gene, gaining hands-on experience with molecular techniques and genotyping interpretation.

Throughout her time at WNEU, Ellie was heavily involved in her community, working as an Academic Progress Monitor and Neuroscience Lab Assistant. She served as President of the Neuroscience Club, Secretary of the Graduate Student Governance Association, and was a performing member of the Cheerleading Team. She recently presented “Approaches and Limitations to Pediatric Pharmacogenomics" at WNEU’s first annual “Continuing Pharmacy Education Conference: Clinical Gaps in Pharmacogenomics: An Interpressional Approach". Additionally, her debate team was declared the winner of WNEU’s second annual “Genetics and PGx Debate”, successfully arguing in favor of preemptive PGx testing. Ellie is also co-founder of “SNPs and Scripts: The Pharmacogenomics Podcast”, and co-host of the “Decoded” segment alongside Alisha Ghoussein, Alexandra Blas, and Kaitlyn Labitan.

In her free time, Ellie enjoys reading, concerts, movies, building Legos, traveling, playing volleyball, and being on the lake. She also coaches youth sports and loves spending quality time with her dogs, rabbits, and cat. She is thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to expand her knowledge in Neuroscience and PGx through 黑料视频 University’s Genetic Counseling program.  

Elizabeth Papp lived in various locations throughout the East Coast, but calls York, Maine, her home. She went to Emmanuel College in Boston for her undergraduate degree, where she graduated with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Biology in 2022. While at Emmanuel, Elizabeth was a student tutor and lab instructional assistant for many different biology and chemistry courses. She discovered her interest in genetic counseling when her genetics professor introduced her to the field in her sophomore year; she instantly wanted to learn more.

During her senior year, Elizabeth started interning at the cancer genetics prevention program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. There, she was able to grow her knowledge and passion for genetic counseling and knew without a doubt that it was the field for her. After graduation, Elizabeth was able to transform her internship into a full-time role as a genetic counselor assistant. Elizabeth also loves to help others; she has been an active volunteer in her community for years, and most recently volunteered at the Crisis Text Line.

In her free time, Elizabeth loves to be around family and friends, play with her dogs, travel, and read. Elizabeth is overjoyed to continue her education at 黑料视频 University. 

Amanda Safar was born and raised in San Diego, CA She attended the University of California, Davis, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Genetics and Genomics. She then pursued a Master’s at Southern California University of Health Sciences in Human Genetics and Genomics with a concentration in Pre-Genetic Counseling.

After completing her undergraduate education, she worked as a Lab Technician and Lab Manager for a start-up company that focuses on sequencing the bacterial and fungal content of soil samples submitted by farmers around the globe. After some time, she returned to Human Genetics to work towards becoming a Genetic Counselor. She started working as a Genetic Counseling Assistant (GCA) at GeneDx, Inc. while simultaneously pursuing her Master’s.

Amanda has always been drawn to Genetic Counseling due to her interest in genetics and her desire to work closely with patients, providing them with support as they navigate their health journey. She is thrilled to start her journey in becoming a Genetic Counselor with 黑料视频 University.

Outside of school and work, Amanda enjoys hiking with her friends and partner, relaxing with a good book, and exploring local coffee shops for an iced matcha or coffee. She recently moved to the East Coast with her partner and is excited for this next era in her life.

J. Todd Spradlin grew up in middle Georgia and has lived in Atlanta since attending medical school at Emory University. His interest in genetics grew from medical education and training and deepened during the care of patients with genetic conditions. He has worked as a hospitalist for more than two decades. As the medical director of a sperm bank, his frequent interactions with genetic counselors over the years inspired his pursuit of a formal education in genetic counseling.

Todd enjoys trail running, skiing, and traveling, along with his spouse, a native of Colombia, where they spend a significant amount of time and plan to live in retirement.  He continues to learn Spanish and strives to become fluent.

Todd had always enjoyed learning and looks forward to being a part of the Class of 2027.

Anna Valentine grew up in Vermont and graduated from Fairfield University in 2021 with a BS in Molecular Biology and a minor in Health Studies. While at Fairfield, she served as captain of the Cross Country team. Following graduation, she worked in research laboratories at Harvard Medical School and the California Institute of Technology, contributing to projects on conditions ranging from diabetes insipidus to Parkinson’s disease.

Anna was introduced to the field of genetic counseling as a Genetic Counseling Assistant at Providence Hospital in Los Angeles, where she supported both the cancer and general genetics clinics. This role fostered her passion for patient care and the meaningful connections that genetic counseling offers.

She has lived in Los Angeles for the past three years with her two cats, Alfie and Olly. Outside of work, she has volunteered with LA Team Mentoring, supporting students in under-resourced communities, and served as an assistant coach for the Caltech cross country team. She enjoys running, hiking, and exploring new restaurants, and is excited to join 黑料视频 University’s Genetic Counseling program.