"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose."
~ Zora Neale Hurston

Research

Developing a deep understanding of the research process is critical in the rapidly changing fields of genetic counseling and medical genetics. At UCSF, Genetic Counseling students undertake a capstone research project consistent with their own interest. Along the way, they acquire skills to formulate a research question, design and conduct research studies, critically evaluate scientific literature, and learn to disseminate their findings. Research questions may be clinically or laboratory based, quantitative or qualitative, a clinical application, or provide other scholarly contribution that advances the field of genetic counseling. 

Students are supported in this process through two Research Methods courses, a research project mentor and the GC Program’s Research Coordinator. The research experience culminates in the presentation of a final capstone presentation at the end of the second year. Submission of research results appropriate for publication to a peer-reviewed journal and/or presentation at national academic meeting is strongly encouraged for each student.

As an elite research institution, UCSF offers a broad spectrum of research opportunities that support the development of genetic counseling scholars and the advancement of the field of genetic counseling. 

 

UCSF Student Capstone Projects

Class of 2024

Andrea Meraz

Advisor: Jason Carmichael, MS, CGC

Cassandra Vigil

Advisors: Billie Lianoglou, MS, CGC & Sara Ackerman, PhD, MPH

David Qiu

Advisor: Joyce So, MD, PhD

Dorothy Li

Advisor: Lauren Weiss, PhD

Elida Medina

Advisor: Vinaya Murthy, MS, CGC, PhD

Fion Ma

Advisor: Joyce So, MD, PhD

Gabrielle Wright

Advisors: Julie Harris-Wai, MPH, PhD and Kara Weisiger, MS, CGC

Hannah Haensel

Advisor: Emily Higgs, MS, CGC

Jaclyn Hodgson

Advisor: Holly Mueller, MS, CGC

Jericka Yehudah

Advisor: Bindu Sathi, MD

Jessica Prettyman

Advisors: Aleksandar Rajkovic, MD, PhD and Sawona Biswas, MS, CGC

Sarah Chan

Advisor: Kathy Ross, MS, CGC

 

 

UCSF Student Capstone Projects - Class of 2023