Meet our Current Students
Class of 2025
Nareen Babaian
Nareen is from Broomall, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Ursinus College in 2021 with a B.S. in Biology and Spanish. During her time at Ursinus, she studied cell cycle development of C. elegans in Dr. Rebecca Lyczak’s laboratory and volunteered at various community sites through the Scholars in Service program. After graduating, she joined the neurogenetics team at Penn Medicine as their GCA and gained invaluable experience working with patients with adult-onset neurologic conditions. Outside of genetics, Nareen enjoys traveling, spending time in nature, and being with friends, family, and her dog, Bailey.
Cameron Bell
Cameron was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and graduated from Georgetown University in 2019, majoring in Biology of Global Health. For the past three years, she has lived and worked in New York City as a genetic counseling assistant at Everly Health on a team providing telehealth genetic counseling to patients pursuing various patient-initiated tests. Through this experience working with such a clinically and geographically diverse population, she assisted on countless unique cases and developed an appreciation for the consistent value of genetic counseling in each one. Outside of work, she is also an avid runner, theatergoer, and baker.
Rebecca DiCondina
Becca is from Harleysville, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 2020 with a degree in Biology, concentrating in Cellular and Molecular Biology/Genetics. She also minored in Genetic Counseling, Biochemistry, and Medical Ethics. After graduating, she worked as a Genetic Counseling Assistant at CooperGenomics. She worked primarily with patients undergoing PGT-M (preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disease). She also conducted research on the patient population pursuing PGT-M for a BRCA1/2 variant and presented her research at an international fertility conference. She adores working with children, so she often volunteers at the Indian Creek Foundation's Therapeutic After School program for children with Autism. In her free time, you can find her listening to Harry Styles, baking, or performing in community musical theater productions.
Lily Elman
Lily is originally from Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Duke University in 2023 where she completed a self-designed major in the field of disability studies titled “Disabled Bodies as Minority Bodies in Theory and Practice.” As a member of the Duke Disability Alliance, she was involved in the student effort to bring disability awareness, disability pride, and disability studies to campus. She was also a Peer Success Leader and a text responder for DukeLine. In her free time, Lily enjoys reading, watching too much reality tv, and spending time outside.
Anne Jennings
Anne is from Glen Rock, New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 2022, where she majored in biological sciences and minored in genetic counseling. As an undergraduate, Anne was a teacher’s assistant for a cell biology class and completed a genetic counseling practicum at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center. After graduating, she worked as a genetic counseling assistant at NYU Langone’s High-Risk Cancer Genetics office. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and traveling to new places.
Lauren Lairson
Lauren grew up in South Jersey and developed a passion for genetic counseling during her time at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. After graduating in 2019 with a degree in Genetics and a minor in Public Health, she spent two years working as a research technician in the Choi lab at CHOP. Lauren then gained clinical experience as a GCA in the 22q and You Center at CHOP. In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and cat, Luna. She also likes to be active, travel, tend to her plants, and cheer on Philly sports teams.
Corinne Merlino
Corinne is from Pitman, New Jersey, and graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in 2020 with a BS in biology and a minor in healthcare ethics. After graduating, she joined the Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania as a clinical research coordinator where she was able to gain invaluable research experience and insight. Her interests include expanding the reach of genetic counseling services into the palliative and end-of-life care spaces and increasing access to palliative care for patients with terminal genetic conditions. For the last three years, Corinne has served as the Communications and Engagement Lead for DNA Today, a podcast that explores how genetics impacts personal and public health. Corinne grew up as a patient in the Craniofacial Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and is excited to pursue her education and training at the place where her interest in healthcare began. In her free time, Corinne enjoys taking yoga classes, trying new restaurants, and spending time at the Jersey Shore.
Samuel Miller
Samuel grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from the University of Delaware in 2020 with a B.A. in biological sciences and a minor in genetic counseling. Since graduating, he has worked in the University of Pennsylvania’s Cancer Biology department as a laboratory technician and manager. His experience researching CAR T therapy alongside the passionate professionals in and around his lab has further inspired him to pursue a career in genetic counseling. In his free time, he enjoys challenging himself with new recipes to cook (and eat), finding new music to listen to, and learning about different cultures.
Chloe Myers
Chloe is originally from Denver, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in public health sciences. During her undergraduate career, she volunteered for the Crisis Text Hotline and worked in HIV/AIDS research in Uganda. Following graduation, she returned to Denver and began working as an overdose prevention specialist before transitioning to a role at GeneDx as a Genetic Counseling Assistant. Chloe is interested in exploring prenatal genetics and the intersection between public health and genetics during her time at the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, Chloe enjoys traveling, reading, skiing, and spending time with friends and family.
Melanie Nettler
Melanie is originally from Westfield, New Jersey, and graduated from Tufts University in 2019 with a major in mathematics and a minor in economics. Following graduation, Melanie worked in brand strategy consulting for two years. She learned about genetic counseling during that time, after which she began working as a prenatal genetic counseling assistant at New Jersey Perinatal Associates. She also volunteers with the National MS Society and Achilles International. In her free time, Melanie enjoys running, playing pickleball, skiing, exploring new neighborhoods, and spending time with family and friends.
Jillian O'Toole
Jill grew up in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. As an undergrad, she volunteered as a biology tutor on campus and for elementary schools in Worcester. She also worked as a home health aide and a certified nurse assistant for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Following graduation, she worked as a research coordinator in the genitourinary oncology department at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Aside from her passions for health literacy and increasing access to healthcare, Jill enjoys running, hiking, and cheering for the Boston Bruins.
Jordan Peters
Jordan is from Anniston, Alabama, and graduated from Jacksonville State University with a B.S. in Biology. While at JSU she conducted research on the potential functional impact of TREX1 gene VUS on autoimmunity. She also tutored several courses including Human Anatomy and Physiology, Genetics, and Cell Biology. After graduation, Jordan spent a year working as an intern at the UNC Cancer & Adult Genetics Clinic. She is passionate about patient outreach and ensuring genetic and genomic services are fully accessible to under-resourced communities. Outside of school, Jordan enjoys cooking, journaling and listening to podcasts.
Evelyn Ramirez
Evelyn is from Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2022 with a bachelor's in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a minor in Chemistry. While at UIUC, Evelyn co-founded a Latina sorority on her campus to promote the inclusion of underrepresented groups in higher education. She also volunteered with organizations such as Planned Parenthood to support access to affordable healthcare. After graduating, Evelyn accepted a position as a GCA at the University of Virginia. As a genetic counselor, she hopes to narrow the gaps in healthcare by making genetic counseling more accessible to minorities, especially non-English speaking patients. Evelyn enjoys cooking, crocheting, and hanging out with her cat.
Aritza Vanessa Rivera
Aritza Vanessa, who prefers to go by Vanessa, is a Texas-born but Colorado raised Chicana. As a first-generation Mexican-American, Vanessa graduated from Colorado State University in 2021 with a degree in Biochemistry. Since then, she has been working in phase I and II cancer trials in hematology as a research coordinator at the University of Colorado. Her exposure to cancer genetics has inspired her to pursue a career in genetic counseling to expand the genetic database for the underrepresented populations. Beyond genetics, Vanessa enjoys volunteering, skiing and reading in her free time.
Hannah Sandler
Hannah is from Flemington, New Jersey, and graduated from Stockton University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in behavioral neuroscience. Upon graduation, she moved to Philadelphia to pursue a Laboratory Genetic Counseling Assistant position at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she gained a wealth of experience in triaging and handling patient samples intended for genetic testing. In her free time, Hannah enjoys playing with her cat Luna, singing, spending time with friends and family, and playing videogames.
Grace Snyder
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Grace graduated from Wesleyan University in 2020 with her bachelor's degree in Biology. She worked for the National Institutes of Health's National Human Genome Research Institute as a Scientific Program Analyst, where she assisted managing genomics research consortia funded by the National Institutes of Health. Grace moved to the Philadelphia area in 2021 and volunteered for Penn Medicine Hospice before pursuing her master's in Genetic Counseling. She avidly pursues rock climbing, loves to cook, and relaxes with a good book and a cup of tea.
Alice Tran
Alice grew up in Broomall, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Penn State in 2017 with a B.S. in biomedical engineering. Following graduation, she spent two years as a post-baccalaureate research trainee at the National Institutes of Health, where she studied the genetics of neurodegenerative disorders. There she developed an interest in genetic counseling, which led her to join the Genomic Diagnostic Lab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as a genetic counseling assistant in 2019. In her free time, Alice enjoys music and dance, circus aerials, and spending time with her friends and family.
Sarah Upp
Sarah is from Laguna Niguel, California. In 2022, she graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and a minor in psychology. In the year following, she worked as a genetic counseling assistant in the Hereditary Cancer Program at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California. Sarah discovered her passion for patient advocacy as a student ambassador for the United Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency Foundation, where she assists with newborn screening research and metabolic clinic outreach. In her free time, Sarah loves to exercise and eat pasta (not at the same time, but if she could, she would)!
Class of 2026
Lucy Brancazio
Lucy is from Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 2022, where she majored in Biology with a minor in Psychology. As an undergraduate, Lucy was a member and captain of the varsity rowing team. After graduating, Lucy worked as a Genetic Counseling Assistant in the Epilepsy Neurogenetics Initiative at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She also volunteers with her dog to provide pet therapy to children with reading difficulties at local libraries and residents at a retirement facility. Lucy is passionate about increasing the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals and families in all specialties of genetic counseling. In her free time, Lucy enjoys baking for her friends and family, as well as spending time with her dogs, Gevvie and Phoebe.
Isabella Brown
Isabella grew up in Edwardsville, Illinois. She graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern University in 2023 with a BA in Biological Sciences, concentrated on Molecular Genetics and Genomics, and in English Creative Writing, concentrated on Poetry. Isabella then worked as a Research Technologist for Northwestern’s Wang Lab in Molecular Biosciences and volunteered for Crisis Text Line and Chicago’s Blind Service Association. As a proud Costa Rican-American and first-generation student, Isabella is passionate about uplifting underrepresented voices and advancing equitable care through holistic respect for a person’s many individualized identities. Isabella is also an avid trumpet player and chef.
Emma Cohen
Emma is from Long Island, New York. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 2023 with degrees in neuroscience and psychology, along with minors in genetic counseling and biochemistry. As an undergraduate, Emma joined a psychology (clinical science) laboratory as a research assistant. She also completed a practicum through ChristianaCare, where she gained exposure to cancer and prenatal genetic counseling. Following graduation, she worked as a genetic counseling assistant at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in the Department of Pediatrics. Emma enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, and winding down with a good TV show.
Sarah Cohen
Sarah is from Narberth, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Middlebury College in 2022 with a major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology. As an undergraduate, she volunteered as a hotline advocate, where she assisted individuals experiencing sexual and domestic violence. Following graduation, Sarah moved to Boston and worked as a Research Assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She specifically focused on the eMERGE IV Study, which focuses on using polygenic risk scores to help individuals make informed decisions about their health. In her free time, Sarah enjoys knitting, going on walks, and listening to podcasts.
Lauren Cuff
Lauren is from Ambler, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Drexel University in 2022 with a B.S. in Health Sciences. During her time at Drexel, Lauren enjoyed serving as a peer mentor for Drexel’s Autism Support Program and as a volunteer for the NAMI Philadelphia Warmline. After graduating, Lauren worked as a genetic counseling assistant for the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine, where she gained valuable insight into strategies for expanding access to genetic testing. In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, running, and spending time with family and friends (and her cat Feisty).
Jordan DiNieri
Jordan is from Rochester, New York. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a degree in Integrative Neuroscience. After graduation, she worked as a genetic counseling assistant at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. There, she worked for genetic counselors in the departments of neurology and developmental medicine. During her gap years, Jordan also volunteered with various organizations including the Wisconsin Genetic Counselors Association, TopSoccer, and the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware. In her free time, Jordan enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time in the sun.
Caitlin Findlay
Caitlin Findlay, originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, recently returned from Southern California to attend UPenn. After earning a BA in Public Communications from American University in 2006, she shifted to genetic counseling following her son’s rare diagnosis. Caitlin studied genetics and biochemistry and shadowed genetic counselors for hands-on experience. With an interest in precision medicine, deep understanding of genetic conditions and a commitment to supporting affected families, she is eager to bring her insights to UPenn’s program as she transitions from caregiver to healthcare professional. Caitlin enjoys family biking, live music with her son, and cheering on her daughter at soccer games.
Emily Janeiro
Emily is from Wolcott, Connecticut, and graduated from UConn in 2020 with a bachelor’s in biological sciences. Her interest in genetics started in her undergraduate research lab where she analyzed the mutagenicity of certain environmental chemicals and their effects on DNA repair mechanisms. After graduation, she completed Columbia University’s Pre-Genetic Counselor Experiential Practicum, and her participation confirmed her passion for genetic counseling. She is specifically interested in the field’s focus on education and hopes to educate medically underserved populations on the utility of genetic testing while making testing services accessible. Her interest stems from her teaching background along with her role as a remote GCA, where she helps coordinate telehealth appointments for patients who reside in rural areas in Tennessee and Georgia. In her free time, Emily loves to cook, volunteer and spend time with her family and fiancé.
Tiffany Jong
Tiffany, from Taipei, Taiwan, graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2020 with a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology and a minor in Bioengineering. Post-graduation, she served as a Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow at the NIH/NHGRI for three years. She initially worked in the Dr. Ellen Sidransky Lab for two years, using genetic engineering tools to generate a cellular model for high-throughput pharmaceutical screening for Type II Gaucher Disease. She then transferred to the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, assisting genetic counselor Ellen Macnamara in clinical responsibilities and gene agnostic analysis. Outside of research, Tiffany has served as a Volunteer Crisis Counselor on the Crisis Text Line since July 2023 and is passionate about mental health advocacy. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her friends and guinea pigs.
Marin Kalista
Marin is from Westerville, Ohio. She completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Notre Dame with a major in Science PreProfessional Studies and a supplementary major in Spanish. Marin is especially interested in rare disease patient advocacy, informed by the completion of her minor in Science and Patient Advocacy, which involved performing a literature review to update a disease summary for the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) database and completing a capstone project for a rare disease patient service organization. She gained professional experience through a semester-long internship with a cancer and prenatal genetic counselor at Saint Joseph Health System. In her free time, Marin enjoys baking, reading, and crocheting.
Samantha Kasselman
Sammy is from the suburbs of Chicago. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in public health and a minor in statistics. Inspired by her grandmother's strength during a 15-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Sammy got involved in research at Michigan to better understand the disease's progression. Following graduation, she worked as a pharmaceutical consultant and volunteered as a biocurator for ClinGen. She continues to be a pancreatic cancer advocate while serving on the Board of Sky Foundation. Sammy enjoys spending time with family and friends, dancing, and exploring new ice cream spots.
Jocelyn Knight
Jocelyn is originally from Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania. In 2023, she completed her undergraduate studies at Penn State University with a degree in biobehavioral health. Her journey into genetic counseling began during her summer internship with UPenn that ignited her passion for the field. Following graduation, she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician at Preparing Individuals Today for Tomorrow. Additionally, she supported her family's business by working as a Customer Support Representative at their Chinese herbal medicine store in Philadelphia. Jocelyn's other passions include running, skiing, traveling, and hanging out with her cat!
Anna Madden
Anna is from Winchester, Massachusetts. She graduated from Amherst College in 2022 with majors in biology and psychology. At Amherst, Anna worked in a plant biology lab and competed on the track and field team. After graduating, she has been supporting families with rare and undiagnosed genetic conditions as a clinical research assistant at the Manton Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her experience interacting with these families and enrolling them into various research studies inspired her interest in genetic counseling. In her free time, Anna enjoys rock climbing, skiing, and going on walks with her dog, Velma.
Blanche Poulin
Blanche is from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and is a 2022 graduate of Clemson University, where she majored in genetics and minored in psychology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a general and organic chemistry tutor. After graduating she worked as a research specialist in the University of Pennsylvania's DNA Sequencing facility where she performed various sequencing services for labs at Penn, CHOP, and members of the broader educational and nonprofit communities. She also volunteers with Heartland Hospice, providing companionship and emotional support to palliative patients. Blanche loves to travel, is an avid foodie, and in her free time she enjoys crafting and spending time outside.
Jaydah Robertson
Jaydah, a Buffalo, New York native, graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a bachelor’s in Biochemistry and a minor in Psychology. Throughout her undergraduate years, she actively led initiatives to build community among black women through The Sisterhood, while also spearheading mentorship programs and retreats for her campus residence hall association. During undergrad, Jaydah also worked as a genetic counseling assistant at University Hospitals in Cleveland Ohio. Following graduation, Jaydah transitioned to a genetic counseling intern role to support cancer genetic counselors for one year. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, online shopping, and treating her dog, Melody, to pup cups.
Meghan Swantkowski
Meghan is originally from Houston, Texas, and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and a minor in anthropology. She has since spent her time working as a Genetic Counseling Assistant at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Leukodystrophy Center. Meghan is passionate about rare disease advocacy and is inspired by patient’s and her own family’s experiences to provide greater access and education within this space. In her free time, Meghan loves to stay active, watch reality tv, and cook when not exploring new restaurants.
Thomas Washington
Thomas is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Duquesne University in 2021 with a BS in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry. He completed his master’s in forensic science at Duquesne University in 2022. While at Duquesne, Thomas learned about genetic counseling and changed his career path. After graduation, he worked as a clinical laboratory scientist at Revvity Omics doing newborn screening. Thomas enjoys staying active and watching movies in his free time.
Lydia Wilson
Lydia is originally from Bristol, Rhode Island, and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2020 with a degree in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences. Following graduation, she moved to Boston to work as a research assistant in the Fletcher Lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. After two years in the lab, Lydia transitioned to a position as a Clinical Research Coordinator with the Pediatric Cancer Genetic Risk Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she gained valuable experience working with families with cancer predisposition syndromes. Outside of her passions for genetics and patient advocacy, Lydia enjoys hiking with her dog Sarg, skiing with her family, cooking new recipes from food magazines, and going to karaoke with her friends (despite being a bad singer).