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!