Cohort of 2025
Hello! My name is Sarah Hay, and I was born and raised in St. Albert, Alberta. I graduated from the University of Alberta in 2025 with a BSc Honours degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.
During my undergraduate program, I had the opportunity to complete a thesis project under Dr. Andrew Waskiewicz studying neurodevelopmental genetics – specifically surrounding the growth and expansion of the craniofacial skeleton. In the final year of my undergraduate degree, I worked with Dr. Toshifumi Yokota alongside the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, developing antisense oligonucleotide therapies for rare genetic disorders like Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This experiences allowed me to further understand how a genetic condition affects a patient and their family, and the unique role that genetic counsellors play in supporting and empowering patients through complex emotional and medical decisions. In combination with genetics research, I was also a supportive listener at the Peer Support Centre, providing emotional support to other members of the campus community and learning the profound impact a supportive listener can have on someone’s life.
Apart from genetics, I love running, reading fantasy, and playing pickleball. I’m so excited to be a member of the 2025 UBC Genetic Counselling Cohort and look forward to the opportunities to come!