Meet our Current Students

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).

Caroline Barabell

Caroline is from Sudbury, Massachusetts, and graduated from the University of Michigan in 2023 with a major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and a minor in Applied Statistics. As an undergraduate, she joined a molecular biology laboratory and studied the role of hypoxia-inducible factors in zebrafish. She also participated in translational clinical research studies through Massachusetts General Hospital's Breast Oncology group. After graduation, she worked as a therapeutic clinical research coordinator in Gynecologic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and volunteered as a hotline advocate supporting survivors of sexual violence. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and exploring new restaurants.

Amalia Ben-Porath

Amalia grew up in Wynnewood, PA. She graduated from Brandeis University in 2023 with a major in Biology and minor in History of Ideas. In college, she became an EMT and worked shifts on campus and at events throughout the year. Through this she was also a CPR and First Aid instructor. After graduation, she worked at Boston Children's Hospital as the Inpatient Genetic Counseling Assistant and the Metabolic Newborn Screen Genetic Counseling Assistant. Amalia enjoys cross stitching, watching and playing sports, and spending time with friends and family (especially her cat Ladle).

Jillian Carrick

Jillian is from Bloomfield, New Jersey, and graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Genetics and a minor in Psychology. She has enjoyed volunteering as a peer mentor for undergraduate students on the autism spectrum and with the Special Olympics of New Jersey. As a student and research technician, Jillian studied the genetic progression of colon cancer using organoid models. She also worked as a GCA at New Jersey Perinatal Associates for two years. Jillian loves to spend her free time with family and friends, strolling around museums, and searching for the best coffee in the city.

Rylee Crowell

Rylee is from Atchison, Kansas. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a major in Biochemistry and minor in Psychology. During her time at KU, she completed a research project investigating how various types of insulins influence metabolism outcomes for patients with T1D. Outside of research, she served as the Biology Majors Advisory Committee (BMAC) co-chair, advocating for biology undergraduates and inclusion initiatives. Additionally, she was a crisis counselor for the NSPL at Headquarters Counseling Center in Lawrence, KS! Rylee is passionate about improving access to genetic counseling in underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, baking, and watching horror movies! 

Maya Davis

Maya grew up in Nashua, New Hampshire, and graduated from Wellesley College in 2023 with a BA in Biological Sciences and a minor in Psychology. As an undergraduate, she volunteered with several organizations serving people with disabilities and did bench work exploring the genetics and epigenetics of evolutionary adaptation in insects. After graduating, Maya worked as a Clinical Research Assistant in the Epilepsy Genetics Program at Boston Children's Hospital, where she enrolled children with epilepsy into genomic sequencing research studies and analyzed their genomic data. Maya is passionate about advocating for those with rare diseases, improving the quality of life of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and promoting healthcare equity for LGBTQ+ people. Outside of the world of genetic counseling, Maya loves to play board games with her friends, cross-country ski, solve crossword puzzles, and eat Ben and Jerry's Half Baked ice cream.

Claudia Harrison

Claudia is from Newtown, Connecticut, and graduated from Penn State University in 2023 with dual degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Psychology. There, she volunteered as a crisis hotline counselor and served on the executive board of her sorority, Phi Sigma Rho. After graduation, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee, to work as a genetic counseling assistant at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where she conducted research on genetic contributions to pediatric thyroid cancer, and developed an interest in oncology genetics. In her free time, Claudia enjoys running, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with her friends and family.

Miles John-Baptiste

Miles was born in New Jersey, but has called Cleveland, Ohio, home since he was 10 years old. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in the spring of 2025 with a degree in Human Biology and Society. He is interested in the intersection between biological and social issues with a particular interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion. His passion in genetic counseling stems from a desire to work towards repairing the historic distrust between marginalized communities and the medical field. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and supporting Chelsea Football Club. 

Carleigh Keegan

Carleigh is from Newtown, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University in 2023 with a B.S. in Health Professions. While at Temple, she gained patient-facing experience working as a pharmacy technician and explored the field of genetic counseling by shadowing in a variety of genetic specialty clinics. After graduating, Carleigh began working as a genetic counseling assistant for the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine, where she supports a vast team of genetic counselors in hereditary cancer risk evaluations and contributes to efforts to expand access to genetic services. Through this role, Carleigh has become increasingly passionate about patient advocacy, education, and equitable healthcare.  In her free time, you can find Carleigh jumping through a rebounding workout (her favorite form of exercise), practicing archery, or on the hunt for the nearest dog to pet. 

Madison Kingsbury

Madison is from Canton, Ohio, and graduated from The Ohio State University in 2023 with a B.S in Molecular Genetics, a minor in general psychology, and a certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion. As an undergraduate student, she worked as a research assistant building a biorepository database used for breast cancer research through The Spielman Breast Cancer Cohort and Tissue Bank. Since her graduation, Madison has been working as a genetic counseling assistant at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant. There she has gained valuable experience working with families with cancer predisposition syndromes and hematologic conditions. In her free time, Madison likes baking sweet treats, watching any and all reality TV, and online shopping. 

Brenna McCormick

Brenna is from Cream Ridge, New Jersey, and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2024 with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. At Holy Cross, she competed on the track and field team, volunteered with Crisis Text Line, and conducted research on genes essential to reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster. 

After graduation, she worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Mass General Cancer Center. She is passionate about advocating for individuals with rare diseases and is eager to continue to learn from patients lived experiences. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, rock climbing, and reading.

Lydia Rockart

Lydia is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2023 with a BA in Mathematics. During her time at Bryn Mawr, she volunteered as an EMT for a local volunteer medical service corps and Bryn Mawr College EMS. Following graduation, Lydia joined the 22q and You Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as Genetic Counseling Assistant. In her free time, she enjoys baking, hiking, camping, and taking road trips with her cat, Beetlejuice.

Ivan Ruiz

Ivan was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, before spending his undergraduate years in Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Haverford College in 2023. After graduation, Ivan spent two years working as a genetic counseling assistant in the Neurogenetics department at Boston Children's Hospital. As a first-generation Dominican American, Ivan is passionate about increasing access within the field of genetic counselling for patients and providers from all backgrounds. His research and work at Boston Children’s particularly focused on serving the hospital’s Spanish-speaking population. A devoted FC Barcelona fan, Ivan is also a youth and adult soccer referee and has been since 2014. He enjoys listening to music, traveling, trying new foods, playing pickup soccer, watching sports, and spending time with friends.

Madeline Ryan

Maddie is from West Chester, Pennsylvania, and is a 2025 graduate of Penn State University, where she majored in biochemistry and minored in psychology. During her undergraduate studies, she served as a learning assistant, volunteered for the Crisis Text Line, and was actively engaged in organizations including the Penn State Genetic Counseling Club and Penn State THON™. Her passions for genetic counseling and public health were sparked through internship opportunities at UPenn and the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. In her free time, Maddie loves reading, walking her dog, and playing ice hockey.

Ala Streater

Ala grew up in South Jersey and graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Psychology. Before working as a Genetic Counseling Assistant and Clinical/Research Coordinator at Penn’s Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Center, her earlier experiences as a health aide and crisis counselor shaped her desire to pursue a career centered in patient education and advocacy. Outside of genetics, her passion is in writing, often exploring themes of the human condition through psychological and surrealist fiction. You’ll likely find her singing her heart out at an indie concert, wandering woodland trails, or relaxing outdoors- never without a yoga mat on hand.

Carolina Viswanath

Carolina was raised in Philadelphia and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Biology in 2024. As an undergraduate, she volunteered with a peer support helpline and joined a Latin dance group. After graduating, she worked as a Research Assistant in an OB/GYN clinic, supporting research on cancer screenings. She was introduced to genetic counseling during an internship at the Basser Center for BRCA, where she contributed to research on PARP inhibitor resistance. Carolina is passionate about cancer genetics and expanding access to genetic counseling. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with loved ones.

Elliott Wack

Elliott grew up in Catonsville, Maryland, and graduated from the University of Maryland in 2024 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Cell Biology and Genetics and a minor in Paleobiology. After graduation, Elliott started a postbaccalaureate fellowship at the National Human Genome Research Institute, applying a genotype-first approach to clinical genetics research. As a genetic counselor, he hopes to pursue a career in neurogenetics and increase the accessibility of genetics services. In his free time, Elliott likes to cook, read, get outdoors, and travel.

Bailey Wollesen

Bailey is from Lake View, Iowa, and graduated from the University of Iowa in 2025 with a B.S. in Biology on the Genetics and Biotechnology track. During undergrad, she conducted research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of muscular dystrophy, worked with adults with disabilities, and completed an internship in genetic counseling with the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics. Through these experiences, she developed a strong interest in the psychosocial aspects of care and improving access to genetic counseling in rural communities. In her free time, Bailey enjoys being outdoors, thrifting, and spending time with her cat.  

Catalin Yturralde

Catalin, a San Diego native, graduated from Williams College in 2023 with a double major in Biology and German. A former collegiate golfer, she also conducted research in genetics and evolutionary biology. Since graduating, she has worked as a clinical research coordinator in cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she discovered a passion for genetic counseling, minority patient advocacy, and mental health support. In her free time, she enjoys cooking new recipes, watching shows with friends, and playing golf when the weather allows.