Current Students & Alumni

Taylor Burg (she/her) is from Westport, Connecticut, and graduated from the University of Vermont in 2020 with a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science. She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and later as a Medical Technologist performing apheresis at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver. Passionate about patient care, Taylor became involved with Crisis Text Line and gained experience in patient communication. Her interest in genetic counseling grew through shadowing in pediatric neurogenetics and maternal-fetal health. In her free time, she enjoys being outside doing activities such as hiking or skiing, and spending time with her family.

Mai Ly Tran Burke (she/her) was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Her passion for genetic counseling was first sparked by her volunteer work with children battling cancer in Vietnamese public hospitals. Now, she strives to bridge genetic advancements with the needs of underserved communities like her own. She hopes to one day integrate genetic counseling into Vietnamese healthcare, addressing the country’s shortage of geneticists and improving the health of her community. When she’s not working, you’ll find Mai Ly painting, being in nature, attending concerts and festivals, practicing yoga, cooking Vietnamese food, and traveling.

Alexandria (Alexia) Chilimidos (she/her) is from Oakland, California, and graduated from the University of San Diego with a BA in Psychology. After undergraduate, she completed two MSc programs centered around adolescent mental health at the University of Edinburgh and psychiatric research at King’s College London. Shadowing genetic counselors in the United States and United Kingdom affirmed her passion and certainty in pursuing genetic counseling. Alexia aims to continue to serve diverse communities by promoting mental health and access to genetic counseling services through innovative community outreach. In her free time, she enjoys watching Formula 1, pub quiz nights, hiking, and social gatherings with her friends and family.

Emma Draisin (she/her) is from San Francisco, California, and graduated from Tufts University in 2022 with a B.S. in Biopsychology. Her interest in genetic counseling developed through research, shadowing, and assisting with variant interpretation curriculum development. As a clinical research assistant at Boston Children's Hospital, she coordinated clinical trials for endometriosis, supporting patients in making informed, autonomous healthcare decisions. Emma aims to empower patients with the knowledge to make informed choices about their genetic health. In her free time, she enjoys reading, yoga, beach days, and cooking for friends and family.

Grace Foley (she/her) is from Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Imperial College London in 2022 with a BSc in Biochemistry with a Year in Research. She was first inspired to help people with genetic conditions by her cousin who has cystic fibrosis, and she cherished her time supporting patients as a genetic counseling assistant in NYU Langone’s High-Risk Cancer Genetics Program. She hopes to bring comfort and compassion to all her future patients, wherever they are in the genetic counseling process. In her free time, Grace enjoys hiking, making tea, and spending time with her family and friends.

Sara Gerber (she/her) is from Aurora, Ohio, and earned her Biology degree and French minor from Case Western Reserve University in 2024. Her passion for genetic counseling grew while working as a genetic counseling assistant at University Hospitals, where she valued the opportunity to connect with patients, collaborate with healthcare teams, explore diverse specialties, and witness the profound impact of compassionate and expert genetics care. Sara looks forward to being a lifelong learner in genetic counseling, bioethics, and public health. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, exploring new places near and far, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.

Molly Heck (she/her) is from Sammamish, Washington, and moved to upstate New York to get her undergraduate degree from Cornell University. She enjoyed her time behind a bench doing genetics research, but missed talking to and educating patients. After working at a PGT laboratory for a few years, Molly knew the field of genetic counseling was the one for her! In the future, she hopes to focus on ensuring that patients are providing true informed consent for genetic testing, even in the growing world of technology and AI. Outside of school, she enjoys crocheting, watching competition reality shows, and spending time with friends and family.

Emily Kohl (she/her) is from Bellevue, Washington, and graduated from UCLA in 2021 with a B.S. in Human Biology and Society. Her undergraduate work in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 research, combined with her experience working as a Cancer Genetic Counseling Assistant at Mount Sinai Hospital, sparked her passion for the field of genetic counseling. Emily aims to enhance accessibility to genetic counseling services and improve health outcomes for underserved populations in the Bay Area. She enjoys discovering new music, refining her Japanese language skills, and picnicking with friends in her free time.

Jannina Mock (she/her) is from Sunnyvale, California, and earned her B.S. in Cell & Developmental Biology from UC Santa Barbara in 2023. Her combined interests in teaching, medicine, and counseling encouraged her to pursue genetic counseling. She affirmed her passion for the career through teaching undergraduate biology courses, working as a crisis counselor, and volunteering at local hospitals and educational outreach organizations. She aims to make genetics care more accessible and inclusive, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. In her free time, Jannina enjoys roller skating, bodyboarding, West Coast Swing dancing, and spending time with family and friends.

Avery Phillips (she/her) is from Wellesley, Massachusetts. She earned a B.S. in Health Science with a minor in Psychology from Boston University. Her passion for genetic counseling began during an internship at Boston Children's Hospital and grew through roles at Mount Sinai Hospital and in Rwanda, where she introduced genetic counseling practices to pediatric patients. Avery aims to integrate genetic counseling into healthcare internationally, focusing on the benefits of preventive medicine in low-resource countries. Outside of work, she enjoys running, cooking, listening to podcasts, and traveling—visiting eight countries in the past year.

Angelica Raney (she/her) is from sunny Lakewood, California, and her passion for genetics and helping others drew her to genetic counseling. She earned her B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley in 2024, where she volunteered with Crisis Textline, supported re-entry students as a Peer Advisor, and researched youth homelessness policies. She is especially interested in the impact of nutrition and the environment on epigenetics. Her goal is to empower others with knowledge and support through genetic counseling. In her free time, Angelica enjoys painting, playing video games, going to concerts, and exploring with her golden retriever, Major.

Chloe Rome (she/her) is from Long Island, NY, and earned her B.S. from UCLA in 2022 in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology with a minor in Society and Genetics. She discovered her passion for genetic counseling in a plant genetics lab and through internships at Weill Cornell and Keck Medicine of USC, where she connected with patients and honed her counseling skills. Chloe also worked as a GCA at UCLA, supporting clinics like 22q Disorder, and volunteered with the Trevor Project. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, exploring, live music, crafting, and spending time with loved ones.

Hallie Ryan (she/her) is from Shawnee, Kansas, and graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. After graduating, Hallie pursued a teaching position in Spain, where she gained an appreciation for the connections built through education. Upon her return, a family member’s genetic diagnosis guided her to genetic counseling and sparked her interest in compassionate education throughout the patient experience. Outside of work, Hallie enjoys traveling to visit family and friends, appreciating California’s landscapes from her bike, using the “skip-the-line” feature on Libby, and cooking for a crowd.

Jason Simmons (he/him) is originally from Dallas, Texas, and graduated with a Biology B.S. from UC Santa Cruz. After working in several biotech testing laboratories, he transitioned to genetic counseling to better serve LGBTQ+ patients. Jason is passionate about providing culturally competent care and ensuring that patients receive the support they deserve when navigating genetic information. He was drawn to Stanford’s GC Program for its commitment to inclusivity, strong clinical focus, and supportive environment. Jason’s goal is to combine his scientific background with patient care, focusing on the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, beach days, and exploring San Francisco.

Lacey Williams (she/her) is from Seattle, Washington, and graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Biochemistry in 2023. Her three years of experience in bone marrow transplant clinical research at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, coupled with her time volunteering for the Postpartum Support International helpline, inspired her to pursue genetic counseling. She is passionate about helping patients navigate complex diagnoses and improving maternal mental health outcomes surrounding pregnancy. In her free time, Lacey enjoys hot yoga, skiing, and visiting her friends in all of their post-grad cities.

Sophia Adelson (she/her) grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, and graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in Biology and French. Her interest in genetic counseling grew through research with the Genomes2People program, where she explored how individuals communicate unanticipated genetic findings with family and supported clinical trials and patient education. Sophia is passionate about making genomic information more accessible and envisions a career integrating clinic, research, and education. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, reading, traveling, spending time with loved ones, and learning new board games.

Carolyn Bell (she/her) is from Villanova, Pennsylvania and got her BS in Neuroscience from Duke University. Her trauma research background, combined with her caregiving and advocacy experiences, ignited her passion for empowering individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities through genetic counseling. Her goal is to provide compassionate support and improve access to personalized medicine and family-centered care while navigating complex genetic information and health decisions. In her free time, you can find her spending time outside with her dogs and friends, tending to her houseplants, roller skating, and listening to live music.

Katie Comerford (she/her) is originally from Connecticut and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BS in Diagnostic Genetic Science with a concentration in cytogenetics. After graduation, Katie moved to San Francisco where she managed clinical trials studying new cancer therapies, first at UCSF and then at Genentech, Inc. Katie’s passions for reducing barriers to precision medicine, advancing reproductive justice, and promoting psychosocially informed care drew her to the field of genetic counseling. In her free time, you can find her listening to music, curating playlists, reading, exercising, hiking and trying new restaurants.

Maheen Farooqi (she/her) is from Karachi, Pakistan, and moved to Waterloo, Canada, for undergraduate studies. Her interest in genetic counseling grew from her research on healthcare inequities, particularly those experienced by ethnic minorities. She aims to combine her passion for clinical counseling with genetics research to address hereditary conditions prevalent in these communities. Maheen has interned with USC Cancer Genetics and volunteered as a phone counselor for Alameda County Crisis Support Services. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, baking, reading, and exploring California’s natural trails with her husband, three-year-old son, and daughter who just turned one.

Emily Huang (she/her) is from San Jose, California, and graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Genetics & Genomics. Her passion for genetics first stemmed from her interest in learning about the complex etiologies of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This passion, combined with her interests in teaching and community engagement led her to genetic counseling. Emily aims to enhance patient experiences in genetic testing, support individuals through difficult conversations, and drive innovation in the genetic counseling field. In her free time, you can find her bowling, puzzling, and exploring new food spots with loved ones.

Sarah Huang (she/her) is from Lafayette, Colorado, and graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Human Biology & Society. She grew her interest in genetic counseling through interning with Children’s Hospital Colorado’s eXtraOrdinarY Kids Clinic, where she took part in clinical-translational research dedicated to bettering care for patients with sex chromosome aneuploidies. Sarah is passionate about reciprocity in clinical research, mental health in Asian American communities, and improving the accessibility of genetic counseling for diverse patient populations. In her free time, you can find her listening to music, running, reading, writing, and exploring local farmer’s markets and bookstores.

Esha Mahal (she/her) is from Bothell, Washington, and graduated from the University of Washington in 2023 with a B.S. in Public Health-Global Health. Her work as a camp counselor for kids with disabilities and a student ambassador for the United MSD Foundation sparked her interest in advocacy, a facet of genetic counseling she was particularly drawn to. Esha is passionate about accessibility and ethics issues, and aims to raise awareness of genetic counseling within the South Asian community. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, playing volleyball, and being outdoors with her dog.

Amanda Mitchell (she/her) is from Orange County, California. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2023 with a major in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a minor in Psychology. Amanda's passion for genetic counseling was ignited by her own genetic diagnosis and further developed through internships at the Johns Hopkins Human Genetics department and the Columbia Pre-Genetic Counselor Practicum. She aims to advocate for and empower patients navigating genetic information. In her free time, Amanda enjoys baking, dancing, sewing, shopping, hiking, reading, and exploring coffee shops.

Jazmine Newson (she/her) is from Berkeley, California, and graduated from Gonzaga University in 2023. She has a B.A. in Biology and minors in Special Education and Entrepreneurial Leadership. Her work focused on inclusive and culturally-relevant and responsive science education. Jazmine combined her interests in science, inclusive pedagogy, and meaningful connection to find her way to genetic counseling. In her practice, she hopes to utilize people’s stories to “humanize the science” and assuage historical mistrusts in the healthcare system. In her free time, Jazmine enjoys playing games with friends, crocheting, cooking, and baking.

Leah Rossi (she/her) is from Mill Valley, California, and graduated from UC Davis in 2023 with a degree in Genetics and Genomics and minors in Human Rights and Public Health. As an undergraduate, she contributed to pulmonary clinical trial research at UC Davis Medical Center and neurogenetics research at the Weizmann Institute in Israel, experiences that solidified her passion for genetic counseling. Dedicated to fostering trust and inclusivity in healthcare, Leah creates safe, communicative environments for patients. In her free time, she enjoys time with family and friends, attending concerts (especially Taylor Swift), and exploring Bay Area restaurants.

Armando Sánchez-Conde (he/him) is from St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. His interest in genetics developed through clinical research and patient advocacy experience relating to Differences of Sex Development (DSD) conditions. This experience, combined with a background in community engagement and advocacy, drew him to genetic counseling. His hope in pursuing genetic counseling is to ensure that benefits derived from new knowledge and research directly translate into improved health outcomes for any and all individuals affected by genetic conditions. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, cooking, playing cards, and exploring new restaurants.

Fiona Seung (she/her) is from Seattle, Washington, and earned a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington. Through her continued research on barriers to genetic services in Asian communities, she recognized the need for greater accessibility and her role in addressing it. She gained experience as a genetic counseling assistant and family outreach navigator, supporting individuals with hereditary cancer risk. Fiona is dedicated to improving genetic healthcare access for underserved populations. In her free time, she enjoys attending live concerts and music festivals.

Caitlin Silva is from North Salt Lake, Utah, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 2023 with a B.S. in Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology. Her passion for genetic counseling grew from her advocacy work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and her experiences in pharmacogenomics research and internships. Caitlin aims to translate complex scientific concepts for underrepresented patient populations. In her free time, she enjoys playing the harp, dancing, discovering local food trucks, and spending time with her family.

Arnhildur Tómasdóttir (she/her) is from Kópavogur, Iceland, and graduated from the University of Iceland in 2022 with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her interest in genetic counseling grew through her work as a research assistant studying genetic pathways and as a genetic counseling assistant at Landspítali University Hospital, where she gained valuable exposure to the field. She aspires to become a genetic counselor in Iceland, improving access to genetic services and advocating for patients. In her free time, Arnhildur enjoys exploring second-hand stores, running, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Allie Zahn (she/her) is originally from Chicago and now calls the Bay Area home. After earning a degree in Neuroscience from Santa Clara University, she worked in Alzheimer’s disease research at the Gladstone Institute. Her passion for genetic research and patient care led her to genetic counseling, with a focus on increasing access to services for underserved communities. In her free time, Allie enjoys rollerblading, listening to true crime podcasts, spending time with loved ones, and capturing moments through both film and digital photography.