{"id":19266,"date":"2012-06-06T10:35:05","date_gmt":"2012-06-06T14:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=19266"},"modified":"2026-08-03T11:31:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:31:19","slug":"current-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/academics\/masters-programs\/genetic-counseling\/current-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Faculty, Students & Alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Faculty and Staff<\/h4>
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Meet Our Team<\/a><\/p>\n

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Class of 2027<\/h4>
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Alaa Al-Hindi<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Alaa grew up in Saudi Arabia and later moved to Colorado so her brother could access disability services. She graduated from The Ohio State University in December 2019 with a B.S. in Molecular Genetics and a second major in Microbiology. She began her career at Nationwide Children\u2019s Hospital in Columbus, OH, where she joined the Institute for Genomic Medicine as a clinical genetics laboratory technologist. Starting on the Nucleic Acid Extraction team, she gained experience isolating nucleic acids from a wide range of sample types, then transitioned to the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) team. There, she prepared sequencing libraries for clinical whole-genome and exome sequencing, as well as targeted DNA and RNA cancer gene panels. During her time in the laboratory, she earned her Technologist in Molecular Biology and Specialist in Molecular Biology board certifications from the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Alaa also collaborated with the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) team to digitize NGS workflows, integrating assays into the laboratory database to enhance data accessibility, integrity, and visibility. She looks forward to bringing this depth of laboratory and data experience into her genetic counseling education and future practice. Outside of science, Alaa enjoys capturing Boston\u2019s historic charm through digital and film photography, playing piano, and exploring the natural beauty of Massachusetts\u2019s landscapes and Atlantic coast.<\/p>\n

Maggie Bauer\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maggie is originally from Redondo Beach, California, and graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Global Disease Biology. During her time at UC Davis, she worked on research on\u00a0Entamoeba histolytica<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>and its disease-causing mechanisms. She is passionate about education and has worked with volunteer organizations to support those impacted by the carceral system, providing workshops and resources. After graduation, she moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she worked as a GCA at Nationwide Children\u2019s Hospital, while also getting involved with genetic counseling prospective student organizations. In her free time, Maggie enjoys taking walks, taking barre classes, and listening to music.<\/p>\n

Ruby Bolton\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ruby was raised in Minneapolis, MN, and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, along with a minor in Psychology. During her undergrad, she worked in several research labs focused on genetic counseling communication skills and outcomes, pediatric cancer survivorship, and the impact of carcinogens inMinnesota on elevated blood cancer rates. She also led her school’s NORD Students for Rare club and volunteered at the campus food pantry. She is passionate about advocating for food security, decarceration, and supporting low-income communities, something she hopes to continue in Boston. In her free time, Ruby loves to play guitar, hunt for more vinyls, find new coffee shops, and hike.<\/p>\n

Olivia Dio<\/strong>dato\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Olivia grew up in Harvard, Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a minor in Science & Patient Advocacy. During her time at ND, she conducted research in human genetics, worked as a lab TA, and was involved in patient advocacy efforts through the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare Diseases. After graduation, she spent a year as a Genetic Counseling Assistant at Labcorp on the molecular genetics team, focusing primarily on prenatal carrier screening.In her free time, Olivia enjoys workout classes, crossword puzzles, and cheering on the Irish!<\/p>\n

Amber Esqueda\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Amber grew up in Southern California and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a B.S. in Human Biology and Society and a minor in Spanish. While at UCLA, Amber was involved with various campus organizations including the American Medical Women\u2019s Association, Community Medicine for Los Angeles, Advocating for Intersectional Medicine, UCLA CampMed, and Teens for Screens. Her interest in genetic counseling first began through her role as a research assistant for a genetic counseling student researching the awareness and perceptions regarding genetic counseling in diverse, urban populations in Los Angeles. Through this role, Amber interacted with individuals of various socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, helping spread awareness on the role of genetic counseling and testing in healthcare. She also served as a research assistant for the REACH Lab at UCLA, where she analyzed the impact of mindfulness treatments on PTSD in unhoused women. Outside of UCLA, Amber was involved with Caraway, an organization dedicated to advocating for women\u2019s healthcare in the college space, and the Los Angeles Department of Public Health Youth Advisory Council, where she organized a project focused on addressing food insecurity in her community. After graduating from UCLA, Amber went on to become a genetic counseling assistant at Hoag Hospital Presbyterian. There she acted as an outreach coordinator for various of their high-risk cancer programs such as the Early Risk Assessment Program, the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Program, and the Pancreatic Cancer Detection Program. In her free time, Amber loves to read, try out new coffee shops, and spend time outdoors. She hopes that her time at BUGCP will continue to foster her commitment to diversity and equity in healthcare.<\/p>\n

Carmen Glaze\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carmen Glaze is originally from San Diego, California, and graduated from Pepperdine University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Hispanic Studies. During her time in college, she held leadership roles in her sorority and the Women in STEM club, and also participated in undergraduate research in a microbiology lab. After graduating, she moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she spent two years working as a Clinical Genomics Assistant at the Broad Institute performing Variant Interpretation. In this role, she contributed to the Chan Zuckerberg Rare as One Initiative, studying the prevalence of rare genetic conditions. Her work allowed her to collaborate with patient advocacy organizations and deepened her commitment to rare disease advocacy. Outside of her professional work,Carmen has volunteered as a biocurator for the Leukodystrophy and Leukoencephalopathy Gene Curation Expert Panel (GCEP) and with Somerville and Cambridge Elder Services. In her free time, she enjoys singing in her local community chorus, sewing, traveling, exploring Boston with friends, and visiting new coffee shops.<\/p>\n

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Hailey\u00a0<\/strong>Goffin<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hailey (she\/her) is originally from New Jersey and graduated from Northeastern University in 2025 with a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. While at Northeastern, she worked as a research assistant in a lab studying cerebellar circuitry at Harvard Medical School. Additionally, she served as a GCA in the Manton Center and Beggs Lab at Boston Children\u2019s Hospital, focusing on rare disease research. She also spent multiple semesters as a teaching assistant for an introductory lab techniques and research course. Outside of work, she was active in Northeastern\u2019s Pep Band as a clarinetist and section leader, Nu Rho Psi (the National Honors Society in Neuroscience), and the Genetics Club. In her free time, Hailey enjoys going to hockey games, watching movies, and traveling to new places.<\/p>\n

Eve Henry<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Eve grew up in Saint Paul, MN, and graduated from the University of Iowa in 2023. During her time in undergrad, she investigated the genetic mechanisms underlying myoclonic epilepsy in her professor\u2019s lab and gained firsthand clinical experience in the university’s neuromuscular clinic, supporting both patients and providers. After graduation, she returned home to Minnesota and joined the University of Minnesota Genomics Center, where she generated large-scale genotyping data to advance research projects across the country. These experiences cemented her desire to pursue genetic counseling, particularly in making complex genetic information more accessible. In her free\u00a0time, Eve is always on the search for the best iced vanilla latte in the city, is working her way through the New York Times\u00a0top 100 books of the 21st century, and loves the thrill of a good thrift find.<\/p>\n

Michelle Katemauswa\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Michelle<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(she\/they) is Zimbabwean American and grew up in Houston, TX. She graduated from Duke University in 2021 with a BA in Interdepartmental Studies, where they explored how gender, race, and sexuality influence health outcomes and disparities. During undergrad, Michelle\u00a0worked as a Resident Assistant and a Peer Sexual Health Educator. They also spend several months abroad, studying health systems in Kenya, South Africa, Vietnam, and Argentina. After graduation, she returned to Houston to work as an education consultant and an EMT at large-scale events like the Houston Rodeo (yeehaw!). Most recently, she\u2019s been supporting first-generation, low-income students as an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Counselor at SUNY ESF.\u00a0Michelle\u00a0is very passionate about health equity, especially in Black and Queer communities and is excited to continue that work as a genetic counselor. In their free time, you can find\u00a0Michelle\u00a0playing video games, going to the movie theater, and working on several unfinished crafting projects.<\/p>\n

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Sam McGurgan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sam McGurgan, originally from Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, graduated from the University of Minnesota\u2013Twin Cities in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minors in Genetics and Public Health. During her undergraduate studies, she served as a teaching assistant for a research methods course and worked as a research assistant with the university\u2019s genetic counseling program. Following graduation, Sam worked as a Behavior Therapist supporting children with autism, where she gained firsthand insight into how genetic conditions can impact families and how interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are implemented. In pursuit of more direct experience in genetic counseling, she relocated to New York City in August 2024 to join the high-risk cancer genetics program at NYU Langone Health as a Genetic Counseling Assistant. Outside of her professional interests, Sam enjoys playing soccer and exploring new coffee shops and thrift stores. She is excited to continue building her career in genetic counseling while discovering all that Boston has to offer.<\/p>\n

Sheilly Patel\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sheilly Patel (she\/her) grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts. She received her BA in Biology with a specialization in Cell, Molecular Biology and Genetics with a minor in Psychology from the undergraduate campus at Boston University. At the start of her academic journey at BU she learned of Genetic Counseling from her Pre-Health advisor and soon thereafter never forgot about it. She has been a texting suicide prevention hotline volunteer since the Fall of 2022 and continues to support the Samaritans team by training new Hey Sam volunteers and continuing her work on the hotline. She also interned as a Warren Alpert Intern at the Boston University program during the summer of 2023 where she shadowed Genetic Counselors in pediatric, cancer, prenatal, and industry roles, researched a gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease, and confirmed her interest in the clinical space of Genetic Counseling. Her interests led her back to BUGCP during the summer of 2024 where she was able to research under the guidance of Nikkola Carmichael and Kimberly Zayhowski to write a manuscript regarding the perspectives of BIPOC Genetic Counseling students on career-oriented social media use. During her free time, Sheilly loves to go on walks, get food with friends, paint, and explore new places. She is excited to be back at BUGCP now as an official student and hopes to continue building her strong connections at the program.<\/p>\n

Katie Phillips\"\"<\/strong>
\nKatie grew up in Vermont, and graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.S. in Neuroscience and minors in Dance and Health Psychology. After graduating, Katie spent 3 years working in Tim Yu\u2019s lab at Boston Children\u2019s Hospital, developing personalized therapeutics for children with rare neurodevelopmental disorders. While there, she discovered a love for science communication and engaging with patients and their families. In her free time, Katie enjoys reading and playing ultimate frisbee, and she\u2019s currently learning to crochet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Catherine Prasad<\/strong><\/p>\n

Catherine grew up in Manasquan, New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a B.S in Psychology and a concentration in neuroscience in 2023. While at UMass, she got involved in neuroscience research which led her to move to Boston after graduation where she started working at Boston Children\u2019s Hospital as a clinical research assistant in a neurogenetics lab. In her role there, she communicated directly with families about enrollment into a brain malformations gene discovery study and facilitated sample collection. Additionally, she performed many wet lab tasks, such as DNA extractions on samples from families as well as Sanger validation on variants of interest identified within the lab. She also volunteered at the Crisis Text Line and was involved in employee-led advocacy groups at BCH.\u00a0In her\u00a0free time, she enjoys reading, going to the gym, trying new coffee spots or restaurants and going to the beach!<\/p>\n

Athena Sarafoglou\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Athena grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology in 2023. While an undergraduate, Athena served as a teaching assistant for an introductory biology course and a research assistant in the Clinical Affective Sciences Lab, which aimed to advance the understanding of emotional suffering and intentional self-injury to improve evidence-based, accessible treatments for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). After graduating, Athena began working as a Genetic Testing Coordinator at Dana\u2013Farber Cancer Institute and met with patients recently diagnosed with cancer to discuss genetic testing through DFCI\u2019s Rapid Access Cancer Genetic Testing Program. Outside of school and work, Athena enjoys live music, cooking, exploring new restaurants and cafes, spending time outside, and collecting little trinkets.<\/p>\n

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Jenna Walls<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jenna grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology and minors in Psychology and Public Health. During her undergrad, she worked as a GCA in a cancer clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital and at the Manton Center, a rare disease study, at Boston Children\u2019s Hospital. After graduation, she returned to her previous role at the Manton Center and Beggs Lab. In her free time, Jenna enjoys knitting and taking yoga classes, and she’s currently learning to sew.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Meet our Alumni<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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