Student Profiles

Cohort of 2024

My name is Kate and I am from Barrie, Ontario. I graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario with a BSc Honours in Biology in 2023. 

Upon graduating, I completed a summer internship at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Here, I worked in the Gibson Lab where I investigated epigenetic regulation of SETD1B in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. After this, I spent a year working as a clinical assistant in the Genetics Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa, Ontario.

Apart from work and school, I volunteered on a crisis line with the Sexual Assault Centre in Kingston and facilitated a support group for individuals with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and their caregivers through the Colleen Cunningham Foundation. Besides genetics, I enjoy hiking, swimming, and spending time with friends.

Cohort of 2024

Hi! My name is Grace, and I am from Toronto, Ontario. I graduated from Queen’s University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Honours Biology and a minor in Health Studies. At Queen’s, I had the opportunity to be a research mentorship student in the Bendena lab, where I studied the role of specific neuropeptides in a receptor pathway in C. elegans to better understand the pathways involved in narcolepsy. During my third year of undergrad, I discovered genetic counselling. I instantly knew from the profession’s combination of genetics and providing care to patients that I wanted to pursue the career.

Following graduation, I worked in marketing and volunteered for the Familial Breast Cancer Research Unit at Women’s College Hospital (WCH) to gain further experience in genetics-related research. After working in marketing for a year, I became a research assistant for the Rapid Genetic Testing 2 Study at WCH – this study provides rapid genetic testing to women at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. This job expanded my knowledge of cancer genetics, research genetic counselling and working in patient-facing roles and reaffirmed my desire to be a genetic counsellor.

Additionally, to prepare for genetic counselling school, I volunteered for Swimming with a Mission, where I taught swimming lessons to children with disabilities, the Sexual Assault Centre Kingston crisis line and Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s monthly peer support groups (acting as a peer support facilitator). These experiences furthered my passion for connecting with and supporting individuals. 

In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, baking, running, and spending time outdoors. I am so excited about what is ahead and to be a part of UBC’s Genetic Counselling Cohort of 2024!

Cohort of 2024

Hi, my name is Amy and I’m from Victoria, BC. I graduated from the University of Victoria where I was a part of the co-operative education program and earned a BSc Honours in Biochemistry with a focus in genetics. For my undergraduate degree, I wrote a thesis on my research in Dr. Chris Nelson’s lab on the evolution of protein paralogs Fpr3 and Fpr4 in budding yeast. My creative outlet during school was my part-time work as a dance teacher for young children which I eventually expanded on to teach dance to children on the autism spectrum as a form of group therapy. As I was finishing my degree, I began volunteering at an emotional support and crisis chat line supporting youth across Canada, as well as working at a transition house supporting survivors of brain injury. All of these experiences pushed me to pursue a career in genetic counselling where I could combine my interest in genetics and passion for directly caring for and supporting others.

I continued my roles at the crisis line and with survivors of brain injury after graduation, and I supplemented these experiences by volunteering at a transition house for women and children escaping domestic violence which gave me a well-rounded understanding of different challenges people may face. In August of 2023, I started a full-time position at the Vancouver Island Medical Genetics Clinic as their first genetic counselling assistant after having volunteered in the clinic for a year. There, I gained valuable experience on the process of arranging genetic testing, on the dynamics of a genetics clinic, and shadowing genetic counsellors.

In my spare time, I love to be outdoors, read a good book, or do anything artistic and creative. I’m so excited to take the next step in my career and be a part of the UBC Genetic Counselling Cohort of 2024!

Cohort of 2024

Hi there! My name is Kennedy and I came to Vancouver from Edmonton, Alberta. I graduated from MacEwan University with an BSc in molecular biology and a minor in psychology. Throughout my degree I volunteered as a crisis responder with Kids Help Phone and spent time in a volunteer peer support role at an addiction treatment center. These experiences molded my interpersonal skills, and gave me the confidence to support individuals from all walks of life. Igained exposure to the field of genetic counselling by seeking out time at the Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) clinic in Edmonton, where I was able to feel the emotional intensity and social complexity of prenatal genetics. This experience truly refreshed my own understanding of my ambition to become a genetic counsellor through igniting my passion for the psychological facets of the patient experience in healthcare. I then spent half a year working as a Genetics Assistant at the Edmonton Medical Genetics clinic before making the move to BC to begin my studies. In my free time I enjoy anything outdoorsy; mainly hiking, camping, and swimming in every body of water I come across. I’m so excited to be a part of the genetic counselling cohort of 2024!

Cohort of 2024

Hello! My name is Gabrielle Kowalchuk, and I am from Vancouver, BC. I graduated in 2022 with an Honours BSc. in Microbiology from the University of Victoria.

In the final year of my degree, I completed my thesis project at BC Cancer Victoria, where I investigated how alanine impacts T cell metabolism and function. After graduating, I continued to work in the lab as a research intern where I had the pleasure of designing and testing viral vectors for T cell genetic engineering. My research experience taught me so much about the value of collaboration, adaptability, and asking questions.

Around a year after graduating, I learned about genetic counselling, and quickly realized that it was exactly the kind of career I had been searching for. The discovery led me back to Vancouver, where I worked as a data entry clerk for the Provincial Newborn Screening Program. There, I had the opportunity to learn about screening, interact with diverse care providers, and work directly with a genetic counsellor. In preparation for the program, I also volunteered at both a crisis text line and women’s transition house. All of these experiences further solidified my desire to become a genetic counsellor.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, running, and relaxing by the water! I am so excited to be a part of the UBC program and look forward to learning from my instructors and peers.

Cohort of 2024

Hi, my name is Miya, and I am from Edmonton, Alberta. I graduated from MacEwan University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry.

During my undergraduate degree, I was employed as a Chemistry lab assistant and then as a research assistant working on microplastic quantification in environmental samples and, separately, antibiotic adsorption to sand. Although I was significantly involved in the chemistry department, I always felt called to biology, specifically genetics. I first heard about Genetic Counselling in a third-year genetics class that focused on social, ethical, and legal issues of genetic modification, prenatal testing, and other advancing technologies in genetics. Having a Genetic Counsellor guest lecture about how to work through an example case was a turning point for me, and I knew that was what I wanted to be. Additionally, after being introduced to informed consent in this same class, it resonated with me as an essential subject in the healthcare system. I decided to write an essay on this topic for another class, and my paper was published in the MacEwan University Student eJournal in 2022.

After graduating, I volunteered as a Victim Services Advocate, providing emotional support to victims of crime. This role honed my advocacy skills and taught me the importance of remaining calm and collected in high-stress situations. It was an enriching experience that reinforced my desire to become a Genetic Counsellor, a role where I can use my empathy and resilience to support individuals.

Most recently, I trained as a Clinical Genetics Technologist at BCIT. I learnt how to identify and analyze chromosomes with possible abnormalities and perform cytogenetic and molecular tests to be used by clinicians for patient diagnosis.

When I’m not immersed in the world of genetics, I enjoy reading, crafting, exploring coffee shops, and spending time with my loved ones. I am thrilled to join UBC’s Genetic Counselling cohort of 2024, where I can further my passion and contribute to the field.

Cohort of 2024

Hello! My name is Lauren, and I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. I completed my BSc in Honours Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Alberta in 2023. During my degree, I completed two undergraduate thesis projects studying bacterial genetics and RNA sequencing.

Throughout my undergraduate program, I had the pleasure of working on both local and national crisis lines with the Canadian Mental Health Association and 988 Canada, where I provided supportive listening and crisis intervention to people experiencing mental health crises in my community. Following graduation, I was lucky to have had the opportunity to work as a Genetics Assistant at the Edmonton Medical Genetics Clinic and be directly involved in patient care. I loved getting to know my patients, hearing about their experiences within the healthcare system, and observing the genetic counselling process in action. Both experiences helped to increase my awareness and understanding of the variety of backgrounds and perspectives that people can have, emphasizing the uniqueness of each person’s circumstances and the need for patience and compassion in patient-centred care.

In my spare time, I love spending time with friends and family, travelling, baking, figure skating, and being outside. I am grateful to be a part of the UBC Genetic Counselling Cohort of 2024 and I look forward to expanding my knowledge and genetic counselling skills over the course of my career.

Cohort of 2024

Hello! My name is Aparna Udiaver, and I am from Mississauga, Ontario.

I completed a Bachelor of Science degree with an honours specialization in genetics from Western University, as well as a Master’s degree in Public Health Genetics from the University of Pittsburgh. I was introduced to genetic counselling during my undergrad and was immediately drawn to the field because of my interests in medical genetics and the psychosocial components of health care. During my undergrad I volunteered with the Canadian Mental Health Association, where I developed supportive listening skills. I also got to learn about the lived experiences of children with genetic conditions through my volunteer work with ErinoakKids and The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. For my Master’s practicum and essay, I worked with the Lynch Syndrome Screening Network to develop and conduct a research survey as well as interviews to understand Lynch syndrome screening practices internationally. Working on this project got me very interested in cancer genetics, as I learned the importance of tumour screening and germline testing in reducing the burden that inherited cancers can have on families.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to pursue my genetic counselling education at UBC and look forward to contributing to this exciting field! Apart from my studies, I enjoy spending time in nature, travelling, journaling, and trying new recipes!

Cohort of 2023

Hello! My name is Nadia Dingelstad and I am from West Montrose, Ontario. I graduated from the University of Waterloo’s co-operative education program in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Honours Biology and a specialization in molecular genetics and bioinformatics.

Throughout my time in the co-operative education program, I had the opportunity to experience many different roles in healthcare. I gained research experience through the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy by using bioinformatics tools to characterize ligand binding pockets in the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. I also gained exposure to the field of genetic counselling as a Genetics Assistant at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. This position solidified my passion for genetic counselling, demonstrating a way to combine my interest in genetics with my desire to utilize compassion in patient-centered care.

Following graduation, I continued my role as a Genetics Assistant at Sunnybrook, taking on additional responsibilities in the training of new co-op students and in the research of breast cancer screening for moderate risk genes. I also volunteered as a Support Line Responder for the CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services, enhancing my skills in communication and providing emotional support.

In my free time, I love to paint, hike, and read mystery novels! I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of the UBC Genetic Counselling 2023 cohort and am excited to continue pursing a career in genetic counselling!

Cohort of 2023

Hello! My name is Cristina and I am from Calgary, Alberta. I completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree and a Master of Science in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary. I then worked as orthopaedic research coordinator for the SCRUBS research group, where I managed a national multi-centre study to understand long-term outcomes of perilunate wrist injuries.  

Although I enjoyed my research experiences, I realized that I wanted to pursue a patient-facing profession. I honed my interpersonal skills by volunteering as a crisis line responder and coach for the Distress Centre Calgary. I then cemented my passion for genetics by working with Dr. Aneal Khan and Heather Barnes at Metabolics and Genetics in Calgary (M.A.G.I.C. clinic). I was grateful for the opportunity to develop a self-report patient questionnaire for symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Working with EDS patients was incredibly rewarding and challenged me to appreciate the diverse perspectives of patients with complex needs. These experiences solidified my desire to become a genetic counsellor.  

In my spare time, I am an avid swing dancer. I like to read science fiction novels on the beach and eat way too many tortilla chips! 

Cohort of 2023

Hello! My name is Lauren and I am from White Rock, BC. 

I graduated from UBC in 2021 with my Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Italian. After being introduced to the genetic counselling profession in my final year of my undergraduate degree, I worked as a research assistant with the GenCOUNSEL team, investigating the perceptions that teens and pre-teens have of their peers with genetic conditions. Subsequently, I worked at the UBC Clinic for Alzheimer’s Disease as the National Brain Donation and Autopsy Manager for two dementia studies where I honed my ability to speak with families about sensitive subject matters and guided informed decision making.

Alongside my studies and work, I volunteered with several organizations such as the Fraser Health Crisis Line, the UBC Centre for Accessibility and the Canucks Autism Network. Throughout these experiences, I witnessed how disabilities and conditions with genetic etiology can increase vulnerability to social discrimination and stereotypes, stemming from a lack of awareness. As a genetic counsellor, in partnership with others in my field I will aspire to help improve global understanding of genetic conditions, from the basic science to the lived experiences of the diverse families affected.

Aside from genetics, I love to work out, read and travel!

Cohort of 2023

Hello! My name is Claudia Pfeifer and I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The holistic approach that genetic counselling provides in healthcare is what first drew me to the career in high school, and I am grateful and excited to be in UBC’s Cohort of 2023!

I graduated in 2023 from the University of Manitoba with an Honours Co-op BSc in Genetics with minors in psychology and chemistry. During my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to pursue genetic counselling, but also wanted to gain research experience in genetics and public health. Most recently, I completed Co-op and Federal Student Work Experience Program positions under Dr. Alberto Severini and Joanne Hiebert in the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella unit of the Viral Exanthemata and STDs section within the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). During my time at PHAC, I worked to optimize whole genome sequencing protocols of the Measles virus on the MinION platform. The impact that access to accurate genetic information could provide the WHO network through scientific communication was really meaningful for me, but I knew I wanted a client-facing role where I could directly be a part of the impact genetics research has on individuals.

Aside from my laboratory experience, I was involved as the Science Co-op Student Ambassador at the University of Manitoba where I worked to improve the Co-op experience for my peers. My work as an advocate was further strengthened in my role as a volunteer crisis line counsellor with Klinic Community Health, where I provided support for callers over crisis and information phone lines.

In my free time, I love to go to concerts, watch movies, and spend time outdoors and am excited . I am really excited to be learning and growing in the Genetic Counselling Program at UBC!

Cohort of 2023

My name is Madison, and I was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. Prior to moving to Vancouver, I had lived in Windsor my entire life. I completed my BSc in Biology at the University of Windsor, where I graduated in 2021. I discovered genetic counselling toward the end of my undergraduate degree, after returning from an exchange semester in New Zealand. I was provided the opportunity to take an advanced genetics course during my time there; this class allowed me to expand my knowledge on both the etiology of various genetic conditions, and the relevance of this information in patients’ lives and experiences. Once inspired to pursue genetic counselling, I engaged in my community as an Outreach Worker for Family Services Windsor-Essex following graduation, where I worked closely with individuals experiencing homelessness. I assisted clients in obtaining and maintaining affordable housing, as well as accessing mental health services. I also spent over one year volunteering for Crisis Text Line as a Crisis Responder, which increased my desire to connect with others psychosocially. Other activities that have assisted me in preparing for graduate school in genetic counselling include volunteering for My Gene Counsel LLC, the Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA), the John McGivney Children’s Camp, and shadowing various cancer and prenatal genetic counsellors. I am extremely excited to have moved to such a beautiful city and cannot wait to embark on my genetic counselling journey throughout UBC’s phenomenal program.

In my free time I enjoy physical activity such as hiking, yoga, and playing tennis. I also love to read and bake new recipes!

Cohort of 2023

Hello! I’m Ellie Storm and I was born and raised in Waterloo, Ontario. Through early experiences, I knew my passion was people and after discovering a love of genetics in high school, I quickly realized that genetic counselling was where I needed to be.

Before moving to Vancouver, I left my second home in Kingston, Ontario where I graduated from Queen’s University with a BSc Honours in Life Sciences. Here, I pursued research in the Department of Rehabilitation Therapy studying the perceptions of mothers of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome, in hopes of expanding the resources available to this demographic in Kingston. This experience taught me the ins and outs of qualitative, intervention-targeted research and ultimately confirmed my passion for the psychosocial aspects of healthcare.

During this time I also had the pleasure of volunteering at Telephone Aid Line Kingston (TALK), a crisis counselling organization, where I split my time between supporting fellow volunteers as a supervisor and aiding our callers through various adversities. TALK allowed me to connect with my community on a deeper level while honing my empathetic counselling skills toward a vastly diverse population.

In my free time, I enjoy travelling, baking, and any creative outlet I can get my hands on, such as crocheting, painting, and singing. I’m ecstatic to be a part of the UBC Genetic Counselling 2023 cohort, and look forward to growing and learning over these next two years.

Cohort of 2023

Hello! I was born and raised on Vancouver Island. I attended University of Victoria where I graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry with co-operative education. During my co-ops I investigated the efficacy of sequencing to screen for low-titre dsDNA viruses in tree fruits and developed multicolor immunohistochemistry assays for the identification of various immune cells in murine High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer models.

Moving to Vancouver after my undergrad, I joined the Molecular and Advanced Pathology Core at UBC with Dr.’s David Huntsman and Torsten Nielsen to spearhead development of their GeoMx DSP spatial transcriptomics assays, OPAL multiplex immunofluorescence technologies and HALO image analysis. Outside of school and work, I had the opportunity to volunteer with crisis line support, eating disorder recovery peer support, and Autism Spectrum Interdisciplinary Research Program with Dr. Suzanne Lewis. It was the combination of my volunteering and professional experiences that solidified my pursuit of genetic counselling.

In my free time I love to play volleyball and softball, cycle, backpack and hike, kayak and photography. I’m truly excited and eager to bring my molecular pathology background into my future career as a genetic counsellor.