I have been a grant-funded bench scientist for the past six years, using my degree in molecular biology; I also work per diem as an EMT and Instructor. My position has been a yearly contract, which is not being renewed. What would my next steps be? I decided it must be a field that marries my two loves: science and medicine. After much reflection, I started to consider Genetic Counseling. I enjoy being able to explain complicated concepts to people outside of my field and have compassion and empathy for my patients as they navigate tough diagnoses. I thought of my own family’s struggles with life-altering mutations, and my interactions with the Genetic Counselors during my two week seminar on Human and Mammalian Genetics and Genomics at Jackson Labs. It became very clear that this was a passion of mine, which happens to be a growing field where I could have permanent employment. I look forward to three years from now, when I have passed the boards, and can say that I am a licensed Genetic Counselor.

• Advocacy

• Research Assistant

  Bates College · Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

  2022 – Present

  Research topic:

  Rotovirus

• Research Assistant

  Bates College · Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

  2017 – 2022

  Research topic:

  Neuroepigenetics

• Warrant Officer

  Volunteering · Veterans Reserve Corps

  2022 – Present