GENETIC COUNSELING PROGRAM

Jasmine Wu (she/her)

A San Diego native and first-gen student, Jasmine graduated from UC Berkeley in 2019 with a degree in Molecular & Cell Biology. At Berkeley, Jasmine gained research experience in the Barton lab through the investigation of innate immune receptor TLR7 in autoimmune disease. After graduating, she joined the MacKenzie lab at UCSF, where she participated in various projects studying gene therapy vectors for delivery in the prenatal period. Jasmine later gained exposure to genetic counseling through her time as a genetic counseling assistant for UCSF’s Cancer Genetics & Prevention Program. When not at UCSF, Jasmine enjoys photography, baking complex desserts, exercising with her husband, and volunteering at church. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

AmberLynn Tran Nielson (she/her)

I am from Tracy, CA and graduated from CSU Stanislaus in 2020. For a few years during my undergraduate program, I loved being a genetics peer tutor. After graduating, I worked for Luminary Genetics and gained valuable experience in the PGT field from various different roles. I have worked as a Laboratory Technician and Data Analyst, as well as a Genetic Counseling Assistant. In my free time, I love playing games, reading, and bringing my dog on adventures to find new places and good food.

Jocelyn Thrasher (she/her)

I was born and raised in Illinois and earned my BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois. After graduating, I moved to Madrid, Spain with my twin sister, where I spent two years teaching English in a primary school. In 2024, I returned to Chicago to work in clinical research focused on sleep, diabetes, and energy metabolism. In my free time, I love practicing yoga, reading, spending time outdoors, and traveling to visit family, friends and new places.

Emily Theobald (she/her)

I am from Littleton, Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. After graduating I moved to the Bay Area and worked as a laboratory associate for Blueprint Genetics. I then joined the UCSF Pediatric Oncology clinical research team where I spent the next 5 years specializing in relapsed and refractory leukemia, lymphoma and other liquid tumors. I then returned to Colorado to work as a GCA at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Adult Medical Genetics department. In my free time I enjoy drawing and painting, dancing with my friends, and reading locked-room mysteries.

Michelle Smith (she/her)

Michelle is from Long Beach, CA and graduated from CSULB in 2025 with an MS in Biology. At CSULB, she conducted her thesis under Dr. Judy Brusslan, mutating plant-specific zinc-finger genes and confirming their role in leaf senescence. She was also a Teaching Assistant for genetics for several years and, more recently, worked as a Behavior Technician. In her free time, she enjoys being in nature and spending quality time with others. She is fluent in English and conversant in Japanese.

Sara Sigsbee (she/her)

Sara is from Riverside, California, and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2024 with a B.S. in Biology. During her time at UCLA, she was involved in community service and advocacy, with a particular focus on health literacy. Sara also volunteered at Riverside Community Hospital, where she supported patients and hospital staff, primarily in the NICU. She gained hands-on experience as a genetic counseling intern and as a Genetic Counseling Assistant (GCA) at Hoag Family Cancer Institute, where she prepared patient charts, assisted with research on the BARD1 gene, and supported case tracking efforts to increase genetic counseling referrals. She strengthened her counseling skills through her interactions with newly diagnosed cancer patients and by volunteering as a listener on a peer support website. In her free time, Sara enjoys exercising, spending time with her family and pets, and baking.

Sara Roderick (they/them)

Sara is from Castro Valley, California and graduated from UC Davis in 2022 with a B.S. in Genetics and Genomics and a minor in Evolutionary Anthropology. While at Davis, they worked as a research assistant in a population genetics lab and as a student bus mechanic. After graduating, they worked at an East Bay counseling clinic and youth crisis receiving home. Sara has a basic understanding of Portuguese, and tries to learn more every day. In their free time, Sara enjoys rugby, playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, and walking the hills and trails of the East Bay.

Michelle Murphy (she/her)

Psychobiology and a minor in Society and Genetics. During undergrad, she volunteered with the Resilience Peer Network to support students with depression and/or anxiety undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy. Additionally, she worked with the Campus Assault Resources and Education office to create safer spaces for allies and survivors of sex-based violence. After graduating, she worked as a clinical data specialist for Myriad Genetics. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with friends, running, and playing NYT word games. She is fluent in English and conversant in Japanese.

Ioli Mathur (she/her)

Ioli grew up between Mumbai and Hong Kong, and graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2025 with a double major in General Biology and Global Health. At UCSD, she conducted research in the Cherqui Lab, contributing to the development of therapeutic strategies for cystinosis. She also served as an instructional assistant for a structural biochemistry course. During her summers, Ioli interned at MapMyGenome, gaining hands-on experience in genetic counseling, and at the Americares India Foundation, where she worked on healthcare management projects aimed at improving access for underserved communities. She also volunteered as a crisis counselor with the Crisis Text Line. In her free time, Ioli enjoys crafting, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with family and friends. She is fluent in English and Hindi.

Abrar Magzoub (she/her)

Abrar is from Sudan and was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She earned a BA in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of California, Berkeley. During the summer of her junior year, she interned at a genomics service lab at United Arab Emirates University, where she was trained in the next-generation sequencing workflow and contributed to clinical genomic research. This experience solidified her interest in genetics and genomics. After graduation, Abrar worked as a math tutor for high school students and volunteered as a Crisis Text Line counselor. To gain exposure to genetic counseling, she participated in the Genetic Counseling Immersive Program at Color Health and actively networked with genetic counselors across various specialties. In her free time, Abrar enjoys running a photography business, thrifting, and playing badminton with her sisters and friends. She is fluent in English and Arabic.

Esther Cho (she/her)

Esther grew up in several countries, including Singapore and South Korea, before moving to Chicago where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2024. During her undergraduate studies, she conducted research in psycholinguistics, transcribing and tagging audio recordings of children’s linguistic environments using ELAN to better understand how the brain acquires language. She also researched the development of Parkinson’s disease, focusing on SNCA, PARK2, and PINK1, and examined neuroanatomical changes associated with mutations in these genes. After graduating, Esther worked as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in a cytogenetics lab at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. In her free time, she enjoys reading, learning new languages, and playing games. Esther is fluent in English, Korean, Japanese, and conversant in Mandarin.

Joaquin Anguiano (he/they)

Joaquin is from Santa Ana, CA and graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Neurobiology. After college, they worked at the UCSF Neuroepidemiology Lab before joining HealthPartners Institute in Minnesota, where they supported population health studies and served as the first point of contact for participants receiving positive genetic screening results. Joaquin is an avid pan dulce and burrito enthusiast, and in their quickly diminishing free time, they enjoy escaping to the mountains, pushing and pulling heavy things, and taking care of their plant babies. They are fluent in English and conversant in Spanish.

Savneesh Athwal (she/her)

Savneesh is from Clovis, CA and graduated from California State University Fresno in 2021 with a BS in Biology. During undergrad, she conducted research in the Waselkov lab, focusing on population genetics of the wildflower Phlox speciosa. Additionally, she worked as a medical scribe in the emergency department and as a patient care advocate at Kaweah Health Care District. Following graduation, Savneesh joined the Community Cancer Institute where she followed patients with various hematological malignancies. She also worked as a Research Study Associate analyzing genetic test results in patients with primary CNS lymphoma. In her free time, Savneesh enjoys knitting, painting, and spending quality time with loved ones. She is fluent in English and Punjabi. 

Analiese Batchelor (she/her)

Analiese is from Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a major in History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science and Medicine, and minor in Human Rights. Her BA thesis investigated the resilience of adolescent Rohingya refugees in Chicago and identified positive factors that support the health and well-being of this population. Analiese contributed to community health research projects as a Clinical Research Assistant while at university. Prior to attending UCSF, she worked as a Clinical Lab Associate for a biotechnology and precision medicine company. She is a Rape Crisis Counselor for a national hotline. For the past three years, she has also worked with child life specialists to support hospitalized patients within a pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit. Analiese enjoys exploring nature with friends, hosting dinner parties, photography, reading, and movie nights. She is conversant in French and has basic Spanish skills.

Megan Gallagher (she/her)

Megan grew up in Grass Valley, California and graduated from Chapman University in 2020 with a BS in Health Science and a minor in Spanish. During undergrad, she tutored Organic Chemistry, Spanish, and worked as a dental assistant. After graduating, she moved to Oakland and became a crisis counselor, a guitar instructor for children impacted by chronic illness, and a genetic counseling intern at UCSF, while engaging in advocacy work at a women’s cancer resource center. She has also worked as a server and bartender for over ten years and currently bartends at a family-owned restaurant in Sacramento. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, taking her dog to the beach, and watching movies with friends. She is fluent in English and conversant in Spanish.

Sofia Garcia (she/her)

Sofia is from Santa Monica, CA, and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2024 with a degree in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. While at UCLA, Sofia was a learning assistant for an introductory physics lab and genetics courses. She also worked as a lab coordinator for a biophysics lab, where she led undergraduate research projects. Outside of schoolwork, Sofia served as a crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line and gained genetic counseling exposure through shadowing at Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute. In her spare time, Sofia loves playing video games with friends, writing short stories, and baking.

Madelyn Haller (she/her)

Maddie is from San Rafael, CA and graduated from Colgate University in 2018 with a major in Cellular Neuroscience and a minor in Biology. After graduating, she began a Neuroscience PhD program at the University of Utah, where she discovered a passion for genetics while researching rare diseases in Drosophila. She earned her M.S. in Human Genetics and moved on to a rare disease focused pharmaceutical company working on clinical programs for Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Angelman Syndrome. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, gardening, watching soccer, and exploring Berkeley with her husband and their dog.

Brenna Hannon (she/her)

Brenna is from British Columbia, Canada and graduated from Aurora University with dual degrees in Health Science and Biology with minors in Chemistry, Physiology, and Psychology. During undergrad, Brenna captained her University’s Ice Hockey team, and contributed towards research in diabetic wound healing. Since graduating, Brenna has been working for BillionToOne as a Lead Clinical Laboratory Associate, where she has managed a team through processing patient samples. She has also been working for the San Jose Sharks as a member of their Ice Team. Discovering her passion for genetic counseling, Brenna collaborated with Genetic Counselors at BTO, and she joined the GC Prospective Student Network executive board as the Social Media Manager. In her free time, Brenna enjoys playing hockey, coaching, hiking, and spending time with her husband and puppy.

Terri Hollister (she/her)

Terri is from Anaheim, California, and graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a BS in Biochemistry. After graduating, Terri gained experience working in both clinical and research laboratories. She then transitioned to the medical device industry, where she discovered her passion for serving others by performing customer technical support and technical training on hematology, clinical chemistry, and molecular diagnostic instrumentation. Her spare time is spent mostly outdoors, trail running, hiking, walking around the city, or, when indoors, solving NYT crossword puzzles and watching professional football and basketball with her husband. 

Youjin (Claire) Jo (she/her)

Youjin (Claire) Jo is from Seoul, South Korea, but lived in six different countries. She graduated from Oregon State University in 2020 with a degree in Psychology. Prior to settling in Portland, OR, she studied mood disorders as a research intern in Tokyo, Japan.

Upon relocating to Portland, Youjin worked as a Behavioral Health Assistant in an adult psychiatry emergency room and then transitioned to become a Specimen Processing Specialist at the OHSU Knight Diagnostic Lab. Alongside her professional career, she dedicated her time to community service, serving as a medical interpreter for Korean patients who didn't speak English and tutoring math for children from refugee and low-income families. In her free time, she enjoys exploring art museums and wineries, playing golf, cooking, and doing yoga.  She is fluent in both Korean and English and also conversant in Japanese.

Henna Kaur (she/her)

Henna is from Oakland, CA and graduated from UC Davis in 2022 with a BS in Genetics and Genomics. During her time at UC Davis, she was a genetics tutor, led a club dedicated to South Asian mental health advocacy, and worked in research labs that investigated the impacts of social environments on stress levels, as well as the efficacy of biology curricula. After graduating, she worked as a medical assistant at an ENT clinic in San Francisco, and then transitioned into her role as a genetic counseling assistant for pediatric and cancer clinics at UCLA. In her free time, she enjoys watching reality tv, getting boba with friends, playing soccer, and exploring the Bay Area!

Vivian Phan (she/her)

Vivian is from Garden Grove, CA and graduated from UC San Diego in 2023 with a degree in Human Biology and a minor in Global Health. During undergrad, she helped conduct epigenetic heart failure research and was a teaching assistant for the genetic courses. In addition, she also interned at Clover Genetics and studied abroad in Indonesia for a summer. After graduating, she worked as a genetic counseling assistant at GeneDx. In her free time, she loves playing tennis, trying new foods, and going on picnics. She is fluent in English and conversant in Vietnamese.

Juliann Trang (she/her)

Juliann is from San Jose, California and graduated from UC Davis in 2022 with a BS in Genetics and Genomics. As an undergraduate, she was a part of two different labs who focused on different aspects of genetics and developmental biology. She was also an undergraduate researcher and presenter at UC Davis’s CBS Dean’s Circle Research Conference. After graduating, Juliann started working at Natera as a Histology Lab Assistant but then became a Clinical Laboratory Associate. Through Natera, she met many genetic counselors and even became a volunteer GCA. Outside of work, she volunteered as an ESL tutor to adults at her local public library. In her free time, Juliann loves to read various genres of books, build Legos, and eat out at different restaurants. She is fluent in English and knows basic Vietnamese.

Claire Yballa (she/her)

Claire is from Burlingame, CA and graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2021 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology. During her undergraduate studies, she was a research assistant in multiple psychology labs, assisting PhD students with their research on human perception and cognition. After graduating, she joined the Rabinovici Lab at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center as a research coordinator, where she worked with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging data from patients with neurodegenerative disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading, finding new coffee shops, and spending time with her two dogs. 

Sofia Dallarda (she/her)

Sofia is from San Diego, CA and graduated from UC Berkeley in 2020 with a degree in Molecular & Cell Biology and a minor in Italian Studies. At Berkeley, she studied aging-related genes as an Undergraduate Researcher in the Dillin lab. After graduating, she studied 3D genome organization as a Research Assistant in the Dixon lab at the Salk Institute, and later transitioned to clinical work as an Administrative Coordinator for a team of Oncology Genetic Counselors at Scripps Health. In her free time, she loves going to movie theaters, exploring art museums, or listening to new music. She is natively fluent in Italian and Spanish, and hopes to practice as an English/Spanish Bilingual Genetic Counselor in the future.

Noah Greco (he/him)

Noah is from Laguna Beach, CA and graduated from the University of Washington in 2022 with dual degrees in Medical Anthropology and Evolutionary Biology. During undergrad, he contributed towards research examining the effects of COVID-19 on neonates, and conducted his own independent project analyzing the intersection of consumer genomics and bioethics. Outside of school, Noah gained genetic counseling exposure interning at DenaDNA and the St. Joseph Cancer Center, while also completing advocacy work in environmental justice, mental health support, and Jewish education. He then began as a project coordinator at a pharmaceutical startup between graduating and starting at UCSF. Noah spends his free time watching horror movies, studying Torah, trail running, playing piano, and sweating at crossfit. He is fluent in English and conversant in Hebrew and Spanish.

Sabina Kabra (she/her)

Sabina is from Danville, California and graduated from UC Davis with majors in Genetics & Genomics and Psychology. As an undergraduate, she was a genetics tutor and worked as a research assistant in a personality psychology lab. After graduating, she was a crisis counselor and a genetic counseling assistant for the Cancer Genetics & Prevention Program at UCSF. In her free time, Sabina enjoys traveling with friends and family, listening to true crime podcasts, and trying new desserts. She is conversant in French.

Maggy Kepler (she/her)

Maggy (she/her) is from Marin County, CA and graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a major in Biochemistry and minor in Biotechnology. While at Cal Poly, Maggy was a college ambassador/tour guide, worked as a general chemistry learning assistant, and conducted molecular biology research. Following graduation, Maggy worked in the laboratory at a winery in Paso Robles before moving to San Francisco to work as a clinical patient navigator with Spring Fertility. In her free time Maggy enjoys hiking, cooking with friends, knitting, tap dancing, and visiting San Francisco’s many live music venues. 

Kelly Landucci ( she/her)

Kelly grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota and received her BA in Biology, Society, & Environment in 2018 at the University of Minnesota. Her senior thesis explored the intersections of feminist disability theory and genetic counseling. After graduating, she moved to San Francisco, CA to work in Invitae’s diagnostic laboratory and then as a lab GCA providing clinical consultation to patients and healthcare providers for the past 4 years. In her free time, Kelly enjoys walks by the ocean, hosting dinner parties, yoga, playing soccer, and exploring the SF bay area. English is her first language, and she is learning more and more Arabic each day!

Lauren L'Heureux (she/her)

Lauren is from Phoenix, Arizona and graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2019 with a BS in Bioinformatics and a minor in Psychology. During her time at UCSD, Lauren did cancer research and created digital phenotypes for hepatic encephalopathy patients. She also did protein property analysis research in Osaka, Japan. Lauren worked as a genetic counseling assistant at UCSF for almost two years before she joined the genetic counseling program as a student. In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, hiking, drawing, and playing with yoyos. 

Paloma Nakamura (she/her)

Paloma is from Santa Fe, New Mexico. She attended Scripps College, where she studied Spanish and Biology. After graduating, Paloma worked as a health center assistant at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, where she gained valuable patient care experience and developed a passion for reproductive justice. In her free time, Paloma enjoys hiking with her dog, skiing, and reading, particularly sci-fi and fantasy books.

Maggy Osha (she/her)

Maggy grew up in Oakland, CA and Hong Kong and graduated from Carleton College in 2021 with a BA in biology. She speaks conversational Spanish which she used to tutor beginning students during undergrad. She enjoys most sports and was a sprinter through college. After graduating she spent a year serving with AmeriCorps NCCC doing everything from building houses with habitat for humanity to working with young Afghan refugees. Recently she has worked as a STEM tutor with side gigs selling cakes for birthday parties and working at Jamba Juice. In her free time, she likes watching and making movies and systematically trying to find the best baked goods in the bay area.  

Ana Shaughnessy (she/her)

Ana grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2021 with a degree in Molecular Biology and a minor in Anthropology. After graduating, she worked as a clinical research coordinator at UCSF, working on a clinical trial that uses deep brain stimulation to treat chronic pain. Outside of work, she also served as a bilingual crisis counselor in Spanish and English at Crisis Text Line. These experiences made her realize she wanted to work with patients long term, and genetic counseling provided the perfect combination of science and patient care. She also hopes to pursue bilingual counseling in Spanish, to make counseling more accessible to underserved populations in California. In her free time, Ana loves taking care of her plants, singing, sewing, and spending time with her friends and family!

Emma Sherman (she/her)

Emma (she/her) is from Hanford, CA and graduated from UC Davis in 2021 with a B.S. in Genetics and Genomics and a minor in Psychology. During undergrad, she worked as an Orientation Leader during the summer and was a Learning Assistant for an introductory chemistry course. After graduating, she was a junior specialist in the Grimsrud Lab doing pharmacogenomic, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic clinical research in pediatric surgery and burn patients. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, reading fantasy novels, and spoiling her cat.

Sophia Sussman (she/her)

Sophia is from Alameda, CA and graduated in 2021 from California State University, Chico with a BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a minor in Psychology. During undergrad, Sophia worked as a student researcher in a lab studying the molecular mechanisms of idiopathic scoliosis. After college, Sophia spent two years working as an assistant clinical research coordinator/patient coordinator for UCSF’s Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic and the Bronchiectasis and Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Clinic. Sophia is an avid reader and enjoys drawing, spending time with friends and family, and cuddling her dog and cat.

Jean Yasis (she/her)

Jean, born in the Philippines and raised in California, holds a BS in Molecular Biology and a minor in Psychology from UC San Diego. She delved into neurodegenerative disease research at UCSD and studied higher-order chromatin structure's impact on human health and disease at Salk Institute. An avid mental health advocate, Jean volunteered for NAMI Friends Resource Helpline. Discovering her passion for genetic counseling, she became a GC assistant at UCSF and joined the GC Prospective Student Network executive board. She co-founded the Undocumented GC Network, supporting underserved, undocumented communities and sharing DACA/undocumented experiences. For fun, Jean enjoys baking for loved ones. She is fluent in English and conversant in Tagalog. 

Sarah Chan (she/her)

Sarah is from New Jersey and graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in Integrative Biology. After undergrad she went to dental school for a year before pivoting to the field of genetic counseling. Prior to grad school, she had worked at a telehealth genetics company and she currently works in management at a startup. In her free time, she likes to take her dogs to the dog park, play board games, and go on leisurely walks. She is fluent in English and knows basic Cantonese.

Hannah Haensel (she/they)

Hannah is from Saratoga, CA and graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2019 with a BS in Genetics and Genomics. At Davis, Hannah worked as a lab assistant in a plant pathology lab and as a caretaker for adults with developmental disabilities. After graduating, Hannah worked as an ABA therapist for children with autism and volunteered at the Trevor project which supports LGBTQ+ youth. Hannah later began working as a genetic counseling assistant at GeneDx on the rare disorders team. For fun, Hannah likes doing improv, taking care of plants, and crafting. 

Jaclyn Hodgson (she/her)

Jaclyn is from Bellingham, WA and graduated from Whitman College in 2020 with a degree in biology. Jaclyn interned and later worked as a research technician at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle on a leukemia clinical trial. After moving to the Bay Area in 2021, she spent a year working on the education team at a teen mental health recovery center. Jaclyn is an avid reader and knitter and enjoys taking dance classes in her free time.

Dorothy Li (she/her)

Dorothy was born in China and raised in Southern California. She graduated from UC Berkeley in 2020 with a BA in Molecular Cell Biology and a minor in Bioengineering. During undergrad, she worked as a Student Instructor for an introductory chemistry course and a student-led cancer class. After graduating, she obtained her ASCP certification and CGMBS licensure and worked as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at various genetic testing companies. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games, traveling, and watching reality TV shows. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has basic knowledge in Korean. 

Fion Ma (she/her)

Fion is from South San Francisco and graduated from UC Irvine with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Global Sustainability.  During undergrad, she researched plant hybridization and breeding systems evolution.  Prior to starting the GC program, she was a part of UCSF's Endocrine Surgery team as a Practice Coordinator.  When she has free time, Fion enjoys spending time with friends and dabbling in various arts and crafts.  She is conversational in Cantonese and proficient in Mandarin.

Elida Medina (she/her)

Elida is from Hollister, California and graduated in 2018 from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a BS in Biological Sciences. After graduating, she worked as an EMT and a barista for a year. She then worked as a behavioral therapist for kids with autism. and in the year before attending the UCSF GC program she worked as a genetic counseling assistant at GeneDx. Elida loves backpacking, hiking, and spending any free time outdoors. She is a first-generation student and hopes to use her native language of Spanish to work with underserved communities. 

Andrea Meraz (she/her)

Andrea is an alumna of the University of California, Berkeley, where she majored in Integrative Biology and minored in Journalism. She worked for four years as an undergraduate researcher, first in reproductive endocrinology and then in germ cell biology, with a specialized focus on human infertility. Before starting at UCSF, Andrea worked from home in Turlock, CA as a Genetic Counseling Assistant Intern at Igenomix, a reproductive genetic testing company; she also volunteered at Seva Hospice and Crisis Text Line. In her free time, Andrea enjoys reading, baking, running, and hiking with friends. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

Jessica Prettyman (she/her)

Jessica is from El Dorado Hills, CA and graduated from the University of Portland in 2021 with a BS in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Fine Arts. During her gap year, she worked as a research assistant at UC Davis Health studying leukemia stem cells and was a part-time barista. In her spare time, Jessica volunteered as a crisis counselor for the California Coalition for Youth. Some of her interests, other than genetic counseling, include spending time with friends and family, traveling to National Parks and trying out new coffee shops.

David Qiu (he/him)

David is from Woodbury, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a BS in Genetics, Cell Biology and Development. At the University of Minnesota, David worked in a lab studying cell adhesion molecules and their roles within nervous system dysfunction. After undergrad, he worked as a bereavement counseling intern at Grace Hospice and also spend time as a medical scribe. In his free time, David enjoys binging trashy Netflix reality shows, going to the gym and playing video games with friends. David is fluent in English and conversant in Mandarin Chinese.

Casandra Vigil (she/her)

Cassandra was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She has a B.S. in Biology from Colorado State University and a MA in Secondary Science Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. Prior to entering the UCSF Genetic Counseling Program she taught middle school science for two years with Teach for America in order to empower first-generation students like herself. She hopes to continue her work with marginalized communities as a genetic counselor. During her free time, Cassandra enjoys trying the different cuisines San Francisco has to offer and spending time with her growing family!

Gabrielle Wright (she/her)

Gabrielle is from the East Bay area (San Francisco Bay Area).  She received her bachelor of science from UC Santa Cruz in Neuroscience.  In Santa Cruz, she worked at the Marine Mammal Physiology Project, using positive reinforcement training to conduct research with dolphins, otters, and seals. After college, she spent two years working at the Innovative Genomics Institute's Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, where her love for genetics was solidified. Gabrielle is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and continues to volunteer as a Crisis Counselor for the Trevor Project, counseling LGBTQ+ youth through mental health struggles. In her free time, Gabrielle enjoys spending time outdoors, crocheting, and cooking. 

Jericka Yehudah (she/her)

Jericka was born and raised in the East Bay Area and first became interested in genetic counseling during her sophomore year of high school at Carondelet. Sports have always been an important part of her life and she developed her passion for outreach and advocacy while coaching underprivileged youth. Her love for volleyball brought her to the University of California Merced where she participated in collegiate athletics, majored in Cellular and Molecular Biology, and minored in Psychology.  Upon graduating in December of 2020, she worked in a COVID-19 diagnostic lab at Color Health as a Clinical Lab Associate. In her downtime, Jericka enjoys playing video games, especially Mario Party with friends and family. On Friday nights, you'll find her improving her technique in adult tap-dancing classes. 

Laura Cardoso (she/her)

Laura is from Vacaville, CA and graduated in 2019 from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology. As an undergraduate, Laura gained research experience studying chemokine receptors in the setting of breast cancer. After graduating, she worked as an outpatient medical scribe in addition to volunteering as a phone crisis counselor on the StarVista Suicide Hotline. Laura gained exposure to genetic counseling by interning at UCSF’s Cancer Genetics Center, where she was able to shadow genetic counseling sessions and help genetic counselors with various clerical tasks. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, relaxing by the ocean, and trying new foods.

Merissa Chen (she/her)

Merissa is from Fremont, California and graduated from University of Miami with a major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a minor in Classics. After graduation she worked as a Research Associate at the Kampmann Lab at UCSF using CRISPR technology to investigate cellular mechanisms behind various diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, Parkinson’s, and multiple myeloma. Her 1 year old mini Australian Shepard, Luna, takes up most of her free time, but when Luna’s asleep she enjoys reading, cooking, paddle boarding, trying new restaurants, and journaling.

Caitlin Cullen (she/they)

Caitlin is from Shrewsbury, MA and graduated from UMass Amherst with an individualized BS in Genetic Counseling, minoring in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Caitlin interned for AbbVie Biotech researching immunology and pharmacokinetics while at UMass, and worked with recombinant chromosomes in Dr. Markstein’s Drosophila Cancer Genetics lab. After graduating, they trained as an abortion doula and began as a medical assistant for Planned Parenthood, currently seeing patients via telehealth. She also interned with Empty Arms Bereavement to support community members experiencing pregnancy loss. Caitlin is queer & non-binary and is an avid rock climber, roller-skater, and reproductive justice advocate.

Brittany-Ann Delacruz (she/her)

Brittany-Ann is a Bay Area native. She received her bachelor's degree from UCLA in Human Biology & Society. In undergrad, she worked with underrepresented communities to provide free health care services and promote higher education. Before starting graduate school, she was able to partner with patients during their fertility journey as a Clinical Patient Navigator at Spring. It was through this experience where she knew genetic counseling was the career for her. She enjoys trying new foods, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. If you are interested in connecting, her email is [email protected].

Eva Ferino (she/her)

A San Francisco native, Eva graduated from UC Davis in 2018 with a BS in Animal Science. While there, she first gained exposure to the world of genetics through part-time work at the Genome Center. After graduation, Eva worked at the UC Davis MIND Institute as a research coordinator in the Department of Neurology before taking on a clinical trial specialist role at a Bay Area biotechnology company. When she’s not busy with school, Eva enjoys reading, playing board games, and going for walks on the beach. She is bilingual in English and French, and proficient in Spanish.

Aleasha Jhanjar (she/her)

Aleasha is an alumna of the University of California, Davis, where she majored in Psychology. As an undergraduate, she served as president of the Genetic Counseling Club at UC Davis, organizing events with genetic counselors as well as staying involved with the Davis community through outreach and fundraising. Before coming to UCSF, she worked from home in Bakersfield, California in a population genetics lab. In her free time, you can find Aleasha watching foreign dramas, trying out new teas, and exploring San Francisco’s restaurants and neighborhoods. One interesting fact is that she has an identical twin sister. She is fluent in English with some basic Spanish knowledge.

Justin Peng (he/him)

Justin is from Kobe, Japan and earned is BS in microbial biology from UC Berkeley in 2017. After graduating, Justin has worked with cancer in mouse models at UCSF and researched on spindle assembly and replication using Xenopus models at UC Berkeley. Justin has also volunteered at Crisis Text Line and the 7 Long Orthopedic Recovery Unit at UCSF. In his spear time, Justin enjoys playing music (stay tuned for an upcoming EP), watching horror movies, exercising, and playing video games with friends. Justin is fluent in Japanese, and conversational in Mandarin Chinese.

Stanze Quezada (she/her)

Stanze graduated from Virginia Tech in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise. After college, she was a Teach for America corps member and completed graduate work at Johns Hopkins University to receive her teaching certification. She then worked in operations at KIPP Bay Area Schools, where she managed a portfolio of schools in the Bay Area. Prior to joining UCSF, she worked as an Associate Program Officer at the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation supporting STEM education in California. In her free time, Stanze enjoys reading and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.

Lynsey Rodriguez (she/her)

Lynsey is originally from San Francisco’s East Bay and attended college at California State University, Fresno where she earned a B.S. in Biology. She has been living in Fresno, CA for the past dozen years and developed a love and passion for the Central Valley. Prior to the UCSF Genetic Counseling Program, she held several jobs with the County of Fresno and most recently, had been working as a property tax appraiser in the Assessor’s Office. In her spare time, Lynsey enjoys cooking.

Allison Wheeler (she/her)

Allison is from Los Altos, California and graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Public Health Sciences. At UCD, Allision worked in a lab exploring the genetic and environmental influences of autism spectrum disorders and volunteered with low-income families to reach their non-medical health goals. After undergrad, she worked as a genetic counseling assistant with GeneDx’s whole exome sequencing and research teams and volunteered with the peer support Chronic Illness Hotline. In her free time, Allison is a fiber artist and equestrian and enjoys backpacking, reading and exploring new places.

Samantha Wheeler (she/her)

Samantha is from Chico, California and graduated from Chico State in 2019 with a BS in Ecological, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology. Prior to coming into this program, she worked part-time as a physical therapy aide before switching over t working full-time as an assistant in a personal injury law firm. She also enjoyed volunteering in her local hospitals Emergency Department. In her free time, Samantha enjoys reading, drawing/coloring, binging shows on Netflix, and doing anything involving the outdoors or traveling. One of her big life goals is to eventually set foot on all seven continents.

Taylor Yamane (she/her)

Taylor was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She graduated from UCLA in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology and Society. As an undergraduate, Taylor worked as a peer counselor and helped lead the UCLA Genetic Counseling Student Interest Group. After graduating, Taylor spent her gap year working as a chiropractor’s assistant and a genetic counseling volunteer for the cancer genetic counselors at USC. Taylor enjoys traveling, finding new dessert places, and catching up on the latest Netflix shows in her free time. She is super excited to be part of the inaugural class at UCSF!