Our Students

For the first time ever, we brought together all first year students from the MD program, the PA program, and the Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling program! The students watched a film screening about a patient with a rare genetic disorder and a participated in a Q&A with the filmmaker.

Although each of these programs has a distinct curriculum designed to meet the professional development needs of each discipline, we are committed to finding appropriate times for interprofessional education opportunities. Medicine is a team sport.

Amanda Franks (she/her/hers) is from New Bern, North Carolina, and earned a B.S. in Biology from Marymount Manhattan College. Her interest in genetics began in 2021 after her father received a positive test result for a pathogenic variant in the TTR gene and encouraged her to meet with a genetic counselor.

While the experience was initially stressful, it sparked a deep interest in genetic and the impact of genetic information on individuals and families. A genetics course during her undergraduate studies further solidified her passion for the field, and learning about the profession of genetic counseling confirmed her desire to pursue a career that combines science, communication, and patient care. 

Amanda is particularly interested in the evolving field of precision medicine and is committed to becoming a skilled communicator who can support patients through complex genetic information. Outside of academics, she enjoys roller skating, dancing, traveling, and watching Korean dramas.

Quinn Halpern (he/him/his) is from Deerfield, Illinois, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Lawrence University. His interest in genetics began in high school Honors Biology, where an inspiring teacher first introduced him to the field and sparked a lasting fascination with human genetics. 

During college, encouragement from his academic advisor and genetics professor led him to discover the profession of genetic counseling, combining his passion for science with patient-centered care. 

Quinn hopes to pursue a career as a genetic counselor specializing in rare disease or neurogenetics. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing, coaching and watching basketball, as well as reading science fiction, hiking, and cooking. 

Hannah Rosenel (she/her/hers) is from Hillsborough, New Jersey, and graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience and minors in Psychology and Health, Medicine, & Society. Her interest in genetics grew from her family's experiences with hereditary cancer and was further shaped by her own experience meeting with a genetic counselor and undergoing genetic testing at age 19. 

Hannah first learned about the field of genetic counseling during her freshman year of college while exploring healthcare careers that combined her interests in biology, psychology, and patient care. She was drawn to the profession's unique ability to blend science, communication, and meaningful patient interactions. 

Hannah hopes to become a certified genetic counselor specializing in cancer genetics, with a particular interest in research focused on the classification of variants of uncertain significance (VUS). She also aspires to contribute to the education and training of future genetic counselors through teaching. Outside of academics, Hannah enjoys exploring New York City, attending concerts, discovering new vegan restaurants, walking through Central Park, watching sports, and cheerleading.

Camille Le Saux (she/her/hers) is from San Diego, California, and holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College. Her interest in genetics began while volunteering alongside genetic counselors and geneticists at a pediatric clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, where she witnessed the impact of genetics on patient care and family decision-making. 

Camille first learned about the field of genetic counseling through her high school's Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Sciences program and was drawn to the profession's unique blend of science, advocacy, and patient support. She hopes to make a lasting impact on the field of genetic counseling by developing resources that improve care and access for pediatric and cancer patients. Outside of academics, Camille enjoys traveling, playing video games, reading comics, and painting.

Racquel Matusevich (she/her/hers) is from Brooklyn, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Long Island University. Her interest in genetics developed while volunteering as a Genetic Counseling Assistant in Prenatal Genetics at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where she gained firsthand exposure to the field. Camille first became aware of genetic counseling through a family member's pregnancy and learning about noninvasive prenatal testing. 

She was fascinated by how advances in genetics can provide important information to patients and families every day. Camille is interested in exploring careers in prenatal genetics and cytogenetics, with a focus on increasing access to genetic services and advancing understanding of the role genetics plays in overall health. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, singing, practicing yoga, creating art, and listening to classic rock.

Sarah Biskner (she/her/hers) is from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a minor in Counseling from Grand Canyon University. Her interest in genetics began during her first year of college while studying a genetics unit in an introductory biology course. 

Sarah first learned about the field of genetic counseling through a family friend with breast cancer who spoke about the meaningful impact genetic counselors had on her care. She further explored the profession through her undergraduate coursework, where genetic counseling was frequently discussed in relation to genetics and healthcare. 

Sarah hopes to begin her career in a prenatal genetics setting and eventually pursue genetics research, with a particular interest in exploring the intersection of religion and genetics and how personal beliefs influence perspectives on genetic testing. Outside of academics, she enjoys weightlifting, running, discovering local coffee shops and restaurants, and playing the piano.

Mallory Dickey (she/her/hers) is from Madison, Mississippi, and earned a B.S. in Genetic and Genomic Sciences from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her interest in genetics began in ninth-grade biology, when she completed a project on Trisomy 18 and became fascinated by the impact of genetics on health and development. 

During her first year of college, a family friend who worked as a geneticist introduced her to the field of genetic counseling, inspiring her to pursue a career in the profession. Mallory hopes to become a pediatric or prenatal genetic counselor and is passionate about expanding access to genetic services, with the long-term goal of helping establish a genetic counseling program in Mississippi. Outside of academics, she enjoys baking, reading, attending sporting events, and exploring New York City, especially its many New York Public Library locations.

Morgan Holmes is originally from Tallahassee, Florida, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Birmingham-Southern College. Her interest in genetic counseling began with a desire to support patients and families as they navigate complex genetic information and difficult healthcare decisions with greater clarity and confidence. 

This passion grew during her time as a Genetic Counseling Assistant in the Medical Genetics Division at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she developed a particular interest in inpatient genetic counseling. Outside of academics and clinical training, Morgan enjoys attending concerts, reading, baking, and discovering new coffee shops and restaurants throughout the city.

Michaela Okumura (she/her/hers) is from Toronto, Canada, and earned a B.Sc. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Acadia University. Her interest in genetics began during her undergraduate studies, inspired by an enthusiastic genetics professor, and she later discovered the field of genetic counseling while working with a physician assistant who introduced her to the profession. 

Michaela is particularly interested in the intersection of genetics and public policy and hopes to contribute to the development of policies related to genetic testing oversight and genomic data privacy. During her summer rotation with Ambry Genetics, she collaborated with multidisciplinary teams across genomic science, accessioning, market access, medical affairs, digital solutions, and reporting. She is currently completing a neurogenetics rotation, where she works with both adult and pediatric patients in both virtual and in-person settings. 

A highlight of her training has been participating in Dr. Zachary Grinspan's natural history clinic, which focuses on rare neurodevelopmental and pediatric epilepsy conditions, including MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome. Outside of genetics, Michaela enjoys cooking, exploring New York City's food scene, and going for runs throughout the city.

Ashley Talton (she/her/hers) is from North Carolina and earned a B.S. in Psychology on the Neuroscience Track from Yale University. Her interest in genetics began in high school through a molecular genetics course, where she became fascinated by the intricate cellular processes that influence human development and health. While exploring healthcare career paths during college, Ashley discovered the field of genetic counseling and was immediately drawn to its unique combination of science, medicine, and patient care. 

She hopes to build a career that integrates genetic counseling with clinical research, particularly in pediatric or cancer genetics. During her summer rotations, Ashley gained experience in pediatric genetics at Montefiore and completed a rotation with Genomenon, where she worked on a project focused on identifying genomic evidence gaps in rare disease drug development. Outside of academics, she enjoys strength training, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, and going for runs.