Current Students & Alumni

Annie Bonds (she/her) grew up in Canton, Michigan and earned her B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Michigan. Her interest in genetics was sparked by hands-on experiences in academic and federal research laboratories across Michigan and North Carolina. She later relocated to California to focus on genetic testing, working as a clinical laboratory associate at two liquid biopsy start-ups. At BillionToOne, she became interested in improving access to genetic information through technology. Her experience with the Crisis Text Line solidified her desire to learn more about bridging the gap between complex genetic data and compassionate patient care. Outside of work, she loves reading, being outside, and trying new board games.

Anna Chen (she/her) is from Newcastle, Washington, and graduated from Colby College, majoring in Computational Biology and minoring in Chemistry. She discovered genetic counseling while researching ctDNA testing for early skin cancer detection at Brigham and Women's Hospital. For her senior thesis, she studied symbiotic genome differences using next-generation sequencing to test the differential expression of a gene knockout. Since graduating, she has been working at Massachusetts General Hospital, researching social determinants of health and genetics in stroke recovery. She aims to provide care that honors each patient’s story to help prioritize their health. In her free time, Anna enjoys reading, going on walks, chatting with friends, and trying new restaurants!

Tia Chu (she/her) is from the San Gabriel Valley in Southern California, and earned her BS in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from UCLA with a minor in Society and Genetics. Her interest in genetic counseling began while exploring her own reproductive options as a queer person and grew through shadowing opportunities and internships. Tia has worked as a physical therapy technician, a substitute teacher, and in the finance industry since college, seeking roles that allowed her to build diverse skill sets and gain more exposure to patient care. Passionate about advocacy and reproductive justice, Tia volunteers with Exhale Pro-Voice, an after-abortion emotional support textline. She aims to promote LGBTQIA+ equity within healthcare and empower patients in making informed health decisions. In her free time, Tia enjoys reading, thrifting, and watching sports.

Ria Datwani (she/her) is from Mumbai, India, and graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2023 with a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Psychology. Growing up with identical twin brothers sparked her early interest in genetics, which later deepened through research on rapid exome sequencing outcomes for critically ill patients at Hopkins. She also volunteered at a local market, engaging community members in conversations about family health history. As a GCA at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, she saw the impact of accessible and compassionate care and hopes to advance equity in genetic services. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games, watching TV shows, and discovering new cafes.

Bailey Giovanoli (she/her) is from Eureka, California, and graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Human Biology and Society and a minor in Global Health. She became interested in genetic counseling through UCLA's GCSIG and her internship at Providence Health, where she helped genetic counselors educate patients about genetic testing. Bailey also worked as a GCA at UCLA, coordinating inpatient testing and staffing clinics for 22q Syndrome and Autism. As a genetic counselor, Bailey hopes to advocate for increased access to genetic counseling services. In her free time, Bailey enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Annie Heckler (she/her) is from Orinda, California, and earned her B.S. in Psychobiology from UCLA in 2022. Her interest in genetics began while working at Tempus AI on the oncology diagnostics sales team. Her passion was confirmed through her internship at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, along with her experience working as an oncology Genetic Counseling Assistant at Genexsure. Passionate about advocacy, Annie also leads fitness classes at GiGi’s Playhouse for adults living with Down syndrome. In her free time, Annie enjoys exploring new restaurants, long walks with friends, and spending time with loved ones.

Carina Leveroni (she/her) is from San Bruno, California and graduated from the University of San Diego with a BA in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Biomedical Ethics. She learned about genetic counseling during a hands-on lab activity in high school, which inspired her passion for educating young students about careers in science. As an intern at the APS Type 1 Foundation, Carina aims to increase awareness of genetic testing and hopes to continue helping patients who face the diagnostic odyssey. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, perusing local farmers’ markets, and traveling.

Grace Melbuer (she/her), graduated from Washington State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Spanish. She was first introduced to the field of genetic counseling through her advocacy with US Youth TOPSoccer, where she worked closely with individuals with disabilities and their families. Since graduating, she has deepened her commitment to the field while serving as a high school biology teacher in Denver, Colorado—an experience that affirmed her dedication to bridging gaps between educational inequity and healthcare access. Grace is passionate about advancing personalized medicine and strives to deliver compassionate, culturally responsive care to all patients. Outside of her professional interests, she enjoys hiking and backpacking, exploring new countries, playing pickleball, and drinking iced vanilla lattes.

Elly Qunell (she/her) grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and earned a BS in Genetics, Cell Biology and Development with a minor in Developmental Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her aspiration to become a genetic counselor arises from a commitment to supporting patients and families navigating complex medical care while contributing to the understanding of genetic conditions through research. Before graduate school, she worked as a GCA in Mitochondrial Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, strengthening her direct patient-care experience, optimizing research protocols, and coordinating clinical studies. Elly finds joy and balance in creative outlets such as baking, crochet, painting, the mindful practice of yoga, and planning her next adventure.

Elsa Tippy (she/her) was raised in southern Illinois near Carbondale. She earned a BA in Elementary Education with a concentration in science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, followed by a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbia University. Elsa spent eight years teaching middle school science in public schools across Chicago and New York before a close friend's personal experience inspired her to pursue a career in genetic counseling. After relocating to San Francisco, she completed a second bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of San Francisco and engaged in a variety of hands-on genetic counseling experiences. Elsa enters the field with a deep passion for personalized medicine and a commitment to providing compassionate, informative care to all patients. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, hosting game nights with friends, exploring new restaurants, and staying active through movement in all forms.

Elizabeth Troll (she/her) grew up in Carmel, NY, and earned a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UMass Amherst. Her passion for genetic counseling began at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she provided education about clinical resources and research to patients facing rare, aggressive breast cancers and matched those with germline mutations to appropriate clinical trials. Elizabeth is committed to personalized patient care through empathetic education and advocacy, aiming to advance precision medicine grounded in equity and accessibility. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, playing tennis and cribbage, drinking lots of coffee, playing candy crush, and spending time with her dogs, Sadie and Ida.

Samantha Tsai (she/her) is from Manhattan, New York, and graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences, concentrating in Genetics, Genomics, and Development from Cornell University. Her interest in genetic counseling began through her mother’s cancer journey, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of genetic testing on patient care. Samantha completed a minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. She is passionate about accessibility and hopes to continue working with the Deaf community as part of her future in genetic counseling. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and spending time with her pet turtle, TP.

Morgan Wills (she/her) is from San Diego, California, and recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology and minor in Global Poverty and Practice. She found her passion for genetics in the classroom, and carried it over to the many different aspects of healthcare she has worked in. Her love for science and working with children has given her the opportunity to work as a pediatric medical assistant, as well as a clinical genetic research assistant in the Turner Syndrome Clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. In her free time, Morgan can be found outside at a nearby park or beach, or most likely spending time with her cat (Cleo)!

Elise Withers (she/her) is from Los Altos, California. She graduated from Emory University in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Anthropology. Her passion for genetics blossomed from a personal genealogy project, and later deepened through undergraduate research in plant genetics, vaccine design, and cancer epigenetics. This led her to pivotal clinical experiences at the Emory Genetics Clinic and UCSF Cancer Genetics & Prevention Program. After college, she spent a year engaging in cultural exchange through work-travel, followed by working as a GCA at Columbia. In her free time, Elise enjoys journaling, experimenting with new flavors, and being outdoors with friends.

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.