Hometown: Markham, ON
Program: Master of Science in Genetic Counselling
What attracted you to your field?
The opportunity to apply my interest in genetics towards a patient-facing role with a variety of skills. I was intrigued by how genetic counsellors are able to explain complex concepts in simple terms, apply critical thinking skills to do “detective work” through risk assessments, and provide psychosocial support to people who are impacted by genetic conditions.
What is your favourite moment from your time at UBC?
My favourite moments at UBC are all the times I spent with my classmates, as they’ve been a great support system and are always fun to hang out with!
What is one piece of advice you have for students entering your program?
You will receive a lot of feedback from supervisors and are asked to self-reflect constantly, which can be challenging if you are pulled in different directions. Take the opportunity to absorb as much as you can from established genetic counsellors, while also remembering the unique traits and perspectives that you bring to the profession.
There will also be challenging moments and you may have moments of doubt. That’s O.K. because no grad school experience is ever perfect. Something I found to be helpful was thinking about how learning opportunities often come from these challenging moments. Remember, there will always be bumps along the way but don’t let that discourage you from the end goal.
Tell us briefly about your research in layperson’s terms, and the impact you hope it will have?
My research project focused on improving our understanding of family group appointments for genetic testing — where at-risk relatives attend a genetic counselling session together. Anecdotally, these family group appointments have been found to have positive outcomes in improving accessibility, efficiency and moral support for patients. And, we hope to inform effective practices for family group appointments for genetic counsellors who are interested in incorporating them into their clinic.
What’s next for you?
I’m excited to start working as a genetic counsellor. I’m also looking forward to enjoying the sunny weather in Vancouver and spending some much-needed time with family and friends.