Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling

I have an extensive background in athletics, am a trainer for people with disabilities, and most recently have garnered experience in clinical and translational research. These experiences continue to teach me to act with integrity and to make decisions with such standards in mind.

I am thrilled to be training at a program that contextualizes life, society, and medicine—and thus the patient populations we are learning to serve—so deeply and thoughtfully. To have such experience connecting with people, personally and professionally, is invaluable.

I volunteered at Boost Collaborative, an organization whose focus is to empower people with disabilities. This experience allowed me to see how dedicated families are to ensuring that their family members have the best care possible and have the necessary tools to lead a happy and successful life. Volunteering there showed me that understanding the perspective of the family is essential when providing any type of care.

I am most looking forward to the disability focused aspects of the curriculum, and hearing directly from the families how having a genetic condition impacts their lives. I am also super excited to explore the Boston area.

I’ve worked as a research fellow at the NIH studying the genetics behind congenital cataracts and retinitis pigmentosa. I also served as a religious volunteer for 18 months in Finland where I supported and counseled individuals as they made difficult life changes. That experience led me to become a Finnish language instructor and a certified middle school science teacher.

I am looking forward to the close interactions with patients and their families. Additionally, I anticipate making lifelong friendships with my future classmates. I look forward to learning from and alongside them.

As a laboratory scientist, I helped patients within the Orlando Health Hospital System by ensuring proper testing, interpreting and communicating results. I also volunteered at The Center, an Orlando LGBTQ organization, where I assisted members of the community access various resources.  Also, my time as a resident assistant at UCF gave me the chance to work with a variety of students as they dealt with emotional and academic challenges. These experiences have provided me with a strong foundation for graduate school.

I am excited to see how the Brandeis experience will further my growth both as a professional and an individual, along with the opportunity to learn from an expert faculty and my fellow classmates.

During undergrad, I volunteered at a local domestic violence shelter and at a youth helpline. I also spent time as a peer educator spreading awareness about sexual assault prevention throughout Greek life, as well as working at a kids’ gym geared towards children with autism. I also did research in a biochemistry lab mutating the CDX2 homeobox to better understand/treat Ataxia-telangiectasia.

I’m most looking forward to broadening my knowledge of the patient experience and learning about the ever-changing field of genetics. The genetic counseling program at Brandeis seems like a very tight knit community, and I’m excited to learn and grow alongside my classmates!

My most meaningful experience was working with college age adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the University of Arizona Project Focus Program. I am pursuing a career in genetic counseling because this rewarding field combines my passions for advocacy and science. I also had the opportunity to shadow prenatal, pediatric, and cancer genetic counselors.

I am most looking forward to the patient perspective focus at Brandeis through programs such as Family Pals and exploring the Boston area.

I volunteered at IMAlive, a suicide crisis intervention chat line which helped me build empathy and taught me how to empower individuals to take steps to address their crises. I also tutored a fifth-grade student from an all-girls middle school with a focus on intellectual and emotional growth of students from low-income families.

I am excited to gain the knowledge and skills to become a capable and empathetic genetic counselor with a passion to advocate for both my patients and for the field of genetic counseling.

One of my favorite volunteer experiences prior to graduate school was at Three Gaits, Inc., a hippotherapy ranch in Stoughton, Wisconsin, where I worked with people with a wide range of disabilities. Here, I assisted with therapeutic rides and enjoyed observing each individual benefit from the rides in their own unique way.

I am most looking forward to being part of the close-knit learning environment and support system at Brandeis, while starting my life in the Boston area. I cannot wait to take part in all of the Disability Awareness efforts that are an integral part of the culture in the Genetic Counseling Program.

For the past year I have worked as an Inpatient Rehabilitation Aide. Being a part of my patients' healing process taught me how to be a supportive and compassionate healthcare worker. It was important for me to create a safe space for my patients to process the impact of their rehabilitation. I am excited to bring this experience and perspective to my education at Brandeis!

I look forward to learning patient-centered counseling techniques so that I can provide individualized counseling to my unique patients. I can't wait to meet my new classmates and explore Boston!

Volunteering as a part of the Adapted Fitness Program at UW-Madison allowed me to assist people with a variety of physical abilities and disabilities. In addition, volunteering with Badger SPILL, a campus support network, and Crisis Text Line has encouraged me to expand my listening and empathy skills. I am also Advocacy Director of the Pre-Genetic Counseling Organization at UW-Madison, which I helped found in the Summer of 2020.

I am looking forward to experiencing Brandeis' approach in interacting with patients through a disability and diversity focus with a strong emphasis on the patient perspective. Having access to the variety of medical systems and patient populations.