Katherine Armstrong

I grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina, home of the Greenwood Genetic Center. I graduated from Carson-Newman college in east Tennessee with a degree in Biology and Chemistry. During college, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Life Outreach Center as a crisis pregnancy counselor, the Victory Junction Gang Camp for children with chronic medical conditions, and with Young Life. Also, I had numerous experiences shadowing genetic counselors in South Carolina and Tennessee. After graduation, I accepted a job with Young Life to work with high school and college students. During these two years, I have also become a volunteer member of the Jefferson County Foster Care Review Board where we advocate on behalf of every child placed in foster care in the county to ensure their overall safety and health.

Meron Azage

I was born in Ethiopia and have lived in Baltimore Maryland since 2001. I finished my undergraduate studies at Towson University with a BS in Biology. After graduation, I worked at the DNA Diagnostic Laboratory at Johns Hopkins Hospital as a Molecular Technician. I shadowed genetic counselors at the Hypotonia clinic at Hopkins as well as a prenatal clinic at Howard University Hospital in Washington DC. I volunteered at the House of Ruth, MD and Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma.

Stephanie Byers

I was born and raised in Richmond Virginia. In 2007, I graduated with a BS in Biology from the College of William and Mary. As an undergrad I volunteered at a domestic violence shelter and completed an undergraduate honors thesis examining the role of the Notch signaling pathway in neurotransmitter phenotype development. After graduating, I moved to Nashville Tennessee to work at Vanderbilt University in a lab researching neural crest migration and differentiation in the enteric nervous system and the lower urogenital tract. While in Nashville, I volunteered with the youth group at Belmont United Methodist Church. In addition, I have shadowed genetic counselors at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my two cats, Bailey and Pippin, and my wonderful fiancé, Adam.

Ashley Collier

I have lived my whole life in Newfoundland, Canada. I recently completed my BSc (Honours) in Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland. My honours project involved examining the mitochondrial DNA haplotype diversity of members of the Miawpukek First Nation, a Mi’kmaq band centered on the south coast of Newfoundland. For the past two years, I have been volunteering with the local Planned Parenthood branch and shadowing genetic counsellors at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s. Additionally, I worked as a research assistant in a genetics lab at Memorial. I love trying new restaurants and new recipes. I also really enjoy being outdoors and I will always have a soft spot in my heart for animals.

Laura Fairbrother

I grew up in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida which is just outside of Jacksonville. I received my Bachelor's of Science degree in Microbiology with minors in Education and Business Administration from the University of Florida. (Go Gators!) While at UF, I spent a lot of time volunteering at the Alachua Country Crisis Center as both a phone and emergency face-to-face counselor. As an undergraduate, I was very active in my sorority serving as both the service and philanthropy chair during my junior and senior years. I also shadowed a cancer genetic counselor at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors and line-dancing to country music.

Leslie Gress

I grew up in Parma Ohio, just south of Cleveland. I received my BS in Psychology with a minor in Biology from the University of Dayton. In my time at UC, Im interested in studying cardiomyopathies or neurodegenerative disorders. During my undergraduate career, I volunteered as a Victim Advocate through a Rape Crisis Program, was very active in service organizations, and staffed leadership camps each summer. I also shadowed genetic counselors at the Cleveland Clinic and Dayton Children's Hospital. Even though I'm relocating to Cincinnati, I will always be a die-hard Cleveland fan - Go Browns!

Lauren Grote

I was born in Cincinnati Ohio and graduated from The University of Dayton with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Psychology. During my undergraduate career I volunteered as a consultant for two years at Elizabeth New Life, a pregnancy resource center in Dayton. I also volunteered at United Rehabilitation Services, where I interacted with adults who have disabilities. Most of my shadowing experience was gained last summer during an internship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) in the Division of Human Genetics. As an intern, I worked on a genetic counseling cultural competence toolkit. I was able to learn about a wide range of cultures and am excited to apply this knowledge to the genetic counseling field.

Chandni Khudai

Hey y’all! My name is Chandni and I am from the great state of Alabama. I was born in London England and moved to Huntsville Alabama when I was six years old. I attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham where I received my B.S. in Psychology with minors in Biology and Chemistry. I gained advocacy experience by volunteering at the Crisis Center in Birmingham. I feel that answering calls on the crisis and suicide line has helped me become a better listener and caretaker. At UAB, I had the opportunity to shadow genetic counselors in pediatrics, prenatal, and cancer clinics. During the last two years of my undergraduate studies, I volunteered as a research assistant in a lab conducting fMRI research on the relationship between obesity and impulsivity. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, playing sports (even though I am not very good), and spending time with family and friends. I love to travel to new places and manage to go overseas almost every year. I recently took a trip to Thailand, where I volunteered in the small coastal village of Khlong Khian. I am now a big fan of voluntourism; it has changed the way I perceive new cultures and environments. I also love animals of all sorts and hope to have my own farm one day.

Kim Lewis

I am from a city just north of Cincinnati called Hamilton, Ohio. I attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. After graduation in 2008, I accepted a position to work as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the Division of General and Community Pediatrics. I worked on a nationwide Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study and I am currently working on a Bone Mineral Density in Childhood GWAS Study until the end of August. While working at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, I attended night classes at Xavier University for my Masters in Secondary Education with a concentration in Life Science and Chemistry. While taking a Special Education course in this program, I learned about and fell in love with the career of Genetic Counseling. I then had the opportunity to complete several classes in the genetics program and shadow Genetic Counselors at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. In my spare time I enjoy playing both indoor and outdoor soccer.

Sarah Polly

I grew up in the township of Chatham, Ohio, about an hour southwest of Cleveland and about ten minutes away from the closest small town. I graduated from Hiram College in May of 2010, and received a B.A. in Biomedical Humanities with a concentration in Theatre Arts. I have shadowed an assortment of healthcare professionals, including genetic counselors, and I volunteer on a crisis hotline. My job is in Visitor Experience at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, which means I get to talk to people and perform fun science demonstrations like exploding watermelons.

Rebecca Sisson

I was born and raised in Cincinnati. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in microbiology with a chemistry minor from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. As a student at Ohio Wesleyan I participated in a research project in a microbiology lab and worked as a campus tour guide. During the past two summers I was fortunate to have been a part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. My project involved the role of microRNA in prostate cancer metastasis. I also shadowed genetic counselors at Columbus Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Nicki Smith

I grew up in Williamsburg, Ohio and attended Otterbein College, near Columbus, OH. I graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology in 2007. After graduation I began working at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in a group specializing in the development and production of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) as a method of gene therapy delivery. While at Children’s I was able to gain experience shadowing several different genetic counselors. I’ve also worked as an advocate for sexual assault victims. In my free time I love to read, run and play with Rosco, my 2 year old Rat Terrier.

I grew up in Mebane, North Carolina, a small southern town just outside of Chapel Hill.  I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Psychology.  My undergraduate research focused on the sexual differences in risky decision making.  Throughout the past year I shadowed Genetic Counselors in the Wilmington area and volunteered on a Crisis Hotline.  I also worked at an memory clinic that tests for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia.  During my four years at UNCW I was also a member of the women's swim team.  In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors, the beach, going to concerts and playing with my beagle pup, Riley.

I have been a resident of Kettering, Ohio for the past 5 years but have lived in several states, countries and a United States Territory.  I served in the United States Air Force from 1987 until 1994 as an Air Traffic Control and Weather Radar Maintenance Technician.  During my service in the Philippines, I volunteered in a medical outreach group that traveled to remote villages and helped administer health care services.   After my six years of military service, I finished my BA in Business Management and Technologies at Capital University.  Since then, I have married and have two amazing children, Emily, 10 years of age and Daniel, 7 years of age.  It was after the birth of my son that my life changed directions and I became involved with Help Me Grow, the early intervention agency for the state of Ohio.  Due to my own personal experience as a parent of a child with a disability, I have been a parent mentor for Montgomery County HMG and worked for the past 4 years at MVH/NICU, listening, counseling with parents and helping educate them on the importance of early intervention for their little ones.  In 2006, I began to pursue my desire to become a genetic counselor by going back to school to help prepare me for the genetic counseling program at UC. In addition, I have shadowed a genetic counselor at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine group at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.  In my free time, I enjoy spending it with my family and our dog, Daisy.  

I grew up in Redwood City, California, which is about 30 minutes south of San Francisco. I received my BS in Genetics from the University of California Davis in 2009. During my undergraduate career I took many leadership roles in my sorority, including the position of Vice President of Education, and had the opportunity to shadow two genetic counselors, which were both wonderful and motivating experiences. After graduation I began working as a personal attendant for adults with developmental disabilities, and then took a job as a counselor in a group home for severely emotionally disturbed young boys; both of which have been extremely challenging, yet rewarding, life-changing experiences. I love country music, dancing, the outdoors, and sports, especially baseball - Go Giants!!

I am from Southfield, Michigan, which is a suburb of Detroit.  I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Diagnostic Molecular Science from Michigan State University in 2010.  While at MSU I completed a molecular biology clinical rotation and interned at a HLA typing lab, a DNA diagnostic lab, a cytogenetics lab, and the Michigan Department of Community Health.  After I graduated, I worked at a summer camp and year-round respite facility for kids and adults with developmental delays and physical disabilities.  During my free time, I love to be outside, and am an avid backpacker, hiker, and runner.  I also enjoy knitting, reading, and cooking. 

I grew up in Valdosta, GA which is located just north of the Georgia/Florida border. I graduated from Valdosta State University with a B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in Criminal Justice. While in school I assisted in the aquatic genetics lab, and volunteered at Birthright, which is a pregnancy clinic that provides counseling services. I currently teach Criminal Justice at Georgia Military College, a local community college, and have also been involved with their student advising process. In my spare time I love hanging out with my family and friends, listening to music and traveling.

I grew up in Westlake, Ohio, just twenty minutes west of Cleveland.  I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Dayton with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in Biology and Sociology.  In my time at UC, I am interested in studying pediatric genetics and following the Autism genome project.  During my undergraduate career, I spent my time as a Dayton Civic Scholar working with community organizations and government offices to promote civic engagement among UD students and develop leadership skills through community building.  Additionally, I was employed as a Neighborhood School Center intern and led two counseling programs for 5th-8th grade girls in the Dayton Public School System.  I also shadowed genetic counselors in Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s connective tissue clinic and University Hospital’s general and Prader-Willi clinics. 

I was born and grew up in Nairobi, Kenya. I moved to the US in 2004 for college. I graduated in 2008 from Capital University in Columbus, OH with a BA in Biology. After graduation, I accepted a Research Assistant position in the Radiology Department at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. I gained invaluable clinical research experience conducting fMRI research in children with and without a history of early exposure to general anesthetics, dosage and exposure time of different sclerosants to endothelial cells. I received training at The Mayo Clinic in Neurofunctional Imaging which enabled me to be a part of the Epilepsy Surgery Team, processing PET, SPECT and MRI Images in preparation for epilepsy surgery. I had the opportunity to volunteer in the Neurology & Rehabilitation Unit at the hospital; and also mentor a 5th grader under Project Mentor of Columbus City Schools which I really enjoyed. The first time I heard about Genetic Counseling was during my junior year in college and I was really excited about the field. I shadowed Genetic Counselors at OSU, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Riverside Methodist Hospital. My shadowing experiences confirmed and solidified my love for the field and I’m thrilled to be accepted at UC’s Genetic Counseling Program! For fun I love to bike, travel and do anything outdoorsy with my friends and family.

I grew up in Troy, Michigan and earned my Bachelor of Science with a major in biology at Hillsdale College.  While in college, I volunteered as a crisis counselor at a local pregnancy center and conducted research comparing the antioxidant activities of pomegranate and tart cherry extracts for my senior thesis.  Outside of school, I shadowed cancer, prenatal, and pediatric genetic counselors at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, and participated in the Wayne State University Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics Summer Undergraduate Research Program.  During this program, I conducted bioinformatics research, which included annotating human long noncoding RNA genes.  Since graduating from college in 2010, I have been working as a data technician in the Cancer Genetics Program at William Beaumont Hospital and volunteering as a crisis worker at the Common Ground Sanctuary Crisis and Resource Hotline.  In my spare time, I love to travel, as well as play and listen to music.

I grew up in Bellingham, Washington, about 90 miles north of Seattle.  I attended the University of Washington and received my BS in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, along with a minor in Bioethics and Humanities.  During college I worked as a lab assistant where we studied hair cell regeneration in zebra fish.  After graduation I volunteered at Planned Parenthood.  I also had the opportunity to organize a NSGC approved conference on Challenges in Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Washington.  I’ve shadowed several genetic counselors in the prenatal clinic at the UW.  In my free time I like to travel, shop, and spend time with friends and family.

I was born and raised just outside of Dublin, Ohio; the home of golf courses and the Wendy's corporation.  In 2011 I received my Bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University where I majored in Molecular Genetics.  While working toward my undergraduate degree I spent time volunteering at OSU's Clinical Cancer Genetics office where I shadowed genetic counselors, learned about cancer genetics and took time to really explorer genetic counseling as a career.  During my summer vacations from school, I worked as a Customer Service Lead at the Columbus Zoo and a in a chemical lab with International Specialty Products , where I developed my passion for working with people (ironic, but true).  Right now I am an intern for the Nationwide Children's Hospital, Genetics Department where I hope to spend this summer fully exploring pediatric genetics and the research done at Nationwide Children's Hospital.  In my free time I can be found volunteering at a free clinic, hooked up to my iPod or spending time with friends.

I was born and raised in Chillicothe, OH. Following high school I attended The Ohio State University where I have pursued a dual Bachelor's of Science degree in Molecular Genetics and Psychology, and will graduate in June of 2011 with those degrees. As a student at Ohio State, I have had the opportunity to work as an intern with the genetic counselors in the Department of Clinical Cancer Genetics. It was through this experience that I began to learn about, and grew to love the field of Genetic Counseling. I have also had the privilege of volunteering as an HIV test counselor at the Ohio State Student Wellness Center, where we provide and counsel students through free HIV antibody testing. In my free time I enjoy golfing and spending valuable time with my friends and family.

I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio and attended Clemson University in South Carolina, receiving a Bachelors of Science degree in Genetics with a minor in Psychology.  While at Clemson, I had many volunteer

experiences including serving as an advocate for a rape crisis center and a crisis pregnancy center.  I was also fortunate enough to work very closely with March of Dimes as a board member of the March of

Dimes Foundation South Carolina Chapter Upstate Division.  My research at Clemson University included studying both the breakdown and utilization of biofuel waste and metals uptake and regulation in Caulobacter crescentus.  In addition, as a summer pediatric research scholar at Akron Children’s Hospital, I researched medical home composition and the risk of critical poisoning in children.  I also had the opportunity to shadow genetic counselors both at Akron Children’s Hospital and at the Greenville, South Carolina locations of the Greenwood Genetic Center.

I am from Fairfax, Virginia right outside of Washington D.C. I will be graduating this May from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and be receiving a B.A. in Psychology. Throughout my college career I have worked in numerous psychology labs on campus including in the Harlow lab exploring the effects of stress on cortisol levels on Rhesus monkeys. I have also done research for George Mason University’s Developmental Psychology Department working with children in the local Head Start programs. My advocacy experience includes working for Planned Parenthood and the Canopy Center on the Parentstressline. During my college career I have shadowed genetic counselors at Meriter hospital and UW Hospital in Wisconsin.