Class of 2026
Jordan Bruer grew up in West Fargo, North Dakota and moved to Minnesota in 2020. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in May 2024 with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development and a minor in Sociology of Law, Crime, and Deviance. Throughout her undergraduate career, Jordan was an active member of the UMN Pre-Genetic Counseling Club and served as both communications coordinator and president. She volunteered at M Health Fairview in the PACU assisting patients who were getting out of surgery. In addition, she was a hospice volunteer through North Memorial where she provided companionship and comfort to patients on end-of-life care. For two and a half years, she worked as a student lab assistant at the UMN Genomics Center where she gained extensive knowledge on DNA/ RNA sizing procedure and analysis. During her senior year, she got involved with Dr. Heather Zierhut’s GC-PRO research study, performing a variety of tasks including patient recruitment and GC session coding as a part of data collection. She is excited to continue her contributions to the GC-PRO team while in graduate school. In her spare time, Jordan can be found reading romance or fantasy novels, binging Love Island (mostly UK version but some US seasons), doing puzzles on her iPad, lounging by a pool, and spending time with her family and friends.
Nikhita Dhar grew up in the Twin Cities metro area. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota in 2023. As an undergraduate, Nikhita started her research journey in the Engel Vision and Imaging Lab researching long-term adaptation to colored lenses through the DFRACS program. She later completed her honors thesis with the Vrieze lab, examining phenotypes associated with rare variants in the KMT2E and CNTN4 genes linked to autism spectrum disorder. During this time, she also worked as both a peer advisor for the CLA Career Services office and an undergrad TA for the biochemistry lab course. After graduation, she took a full-time position as a Patient Coordinator with MNGI Digestive Health, aiding with procedure coordination and acting as a liaison between patients and providers. She recently started volunteering at Planned Parenthood as well, and she hopes to continue doing so while in the graduate program. In her free time, Nikhita enjoys reading, embroidering, running/going to the gym, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants in the Twin Cities, and petting dogs or cats.
Mikayla Eraquam grew up in the small town of Chetek, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stout in 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology and a Genetics concentration. As an undergraduate student, she devoted time as a mentor with a ministry based equestrian program working with at-risk youth and held leadership positions within her university’s Psi Chi chapter. Mikayla also served as a Crisis Advocate at her local domestic abuse shelter and worked as Behavioral Specialist in the children’s summer program at the YMCA. Before entering graduate school, Mikayla enjoyed her time working as Genetic Counseling Assistant (GCA) with the clinical genomics team at Mayo Clinic. Mikayla will work as a laboratory GCA for the Mayo Clinic during her time in graduate school. In her free time, Mikayla enjoys spending time with her family and pets, trying out new recipes, and painting.
Tori Johnson grew up in a small town in the Chicago suburbs. She graduated from Knox College in 2022 with her Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry and minors in neuroscience and psychology. As part of her undergraduate degree, she completed her research thesis, which was focused on identifying the protein(s) involved in light sensation within the unicellular ciliate Stentor coeruleus. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis and began working remotely as a medical scribe. She then transitioned to a clinical research role at Children's Minnesota, where she and her team managed several research studies with the goal of improving treatment and patient care for individuals with genetic conditions. She also dedicated time as a volunteer with RAINN, a 24/7 hotline for survivors of sexual violence. Before entering graduate school, she also worked as a Genetic Counseling Support Assistant at Allina Health's Cancer Institute in St. Paul. In her free time, Tori enjoys being active, exploring the Twin Cities, and experimenting with new recipes.
Abigail Krull grew up in Sycamore, IL. She completed her undergraduate degree at Iowa State University in 2024, majoring in genetics and minoring in pharmacology and toxicology. During her undergraduate studies, Abby worked in a functional genomics zebrafish lab, utilizing the CRISPR-Cas9 system to determine the function of human-zebrafish homologous genes. She also worked as a WiSE supplemental instructor for Organic Chemistry I, teaching students involved in the Women in Science and Engineering program, supporting their academic goals, and connecting them to resources to aid in their success. Within that same supplemental instruction program, she held a mentorship position, training new SI leaders and aiding in their professional development. She has served as the president of the genetics club, a laboratory TA, and a member of the DEI committee at her college. Outside of school, she advocated for patients within the Elder Life Program at Unity Point Hospital in Des Moines, visiting with patients and helping them process their emotions during their hospital stays. She also completed a clinical research internship at Mayo Clinic Florida, working with patients in breast oncology. It was there that she fell in love with the collaborative atmosphere of healthcare and, specifically, the role that genetic counselors play within that collaboration. In her free time, she loves to be outside, going on hikes, swimming, and taking walks. She enjoys reading, staying active, and hanging out with her friends and family.
Elise Layne grew up in a small town outside of Boise, Idaho. She earned her B.A. degree in Biochemistry from Swarthmore College in 2022, where she was a Questbridge Scholar. During her undergraduate career she had the privilege of conducting research at both Boise State University and in the Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program at Harvard Medical School. After graduation, she participated in the Research Scholar Initiative at Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences while working at Boston Children’s Hospital as a research assistant in the Zon Lab. Here she worked on two projects: lineage tracing to identify cells contributing to melanoma development, and characterizing the effect of bioactive lipid mediators on blood stem cells. During this time, Elise also volunteered at Dana Farber Cancer Institute where she aided patients undergoing cancer treatment. Additionally, Elise engaged in outreach opportunities including volunteering as a genetics lecturer for Camp Zon, a virtual high school research experience, and founded the National Organization for Rare Disorders Chapter at Boston Children’s Hospital. Currently, she volunteers as a rare disease support group moderator for Rare New England. In her free time, Elise loves taking absurdly long walks, sewing, and watching reality TV.
Lauren Russell was born in Sarasota, Florida, and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in high school. She attended Florida State University, graduating magna cum laude with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Biology and Public Health. During college, Lauren worked in a research lab investigating the role of the gut microbiome in neurodegenerative diseases and overall health. She also volunteered with University Health Services, where she gained experience advocating for students and their health needs. Additionally, Lauren served as a Student Health Ambassador to provide healthcare resources to students on campus. She enjoyed working as a Learning Assistant for undergraduate biology courses and mentoring first-year students for the Florida State University Honors Program. During this time she also volunteered as a crisis counselor for Crisis Text Line. In her free time, Lauren loves caring for her (many) plants, reading literary fiction, crocheting, taking fitness classes, and exploring the Twin Cities with her partner.
Melissa Schlein grew up in Denville, New Jersey. She graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology and minors in Psychology and English. As an undergraduate, she conducted research investigating the neuroprotective effects of natural extracts and diet in C. elegans models of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. During this time, Melissa regularly organized benefit concerts with local NJ musicians to fundraise for nonprofits, including Trans Lifeline and Jersey Battered Women’s Services. She also held the service chair position in her university’s chapter of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. After graduation, Melissa secured a position as a postbac research fellow at the National Institutes of Health, working in a clinical research laboratory studying the genetic links between mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired immune response. In this position, Melissa developed and maintained novel organizational databases for the lab’s clinical study and had the opportunity to interact with numerous families affected by mitochondrial disease, where she developed a lasting passion for rare disease advocacy. Outside of work, she volunteered for Crisis Text Line and was the volunteer coordination chair for the NIH fellows’ LGBTQIA+ affinity group. In her free time, Melissa enjoys adding to her sketchbook, writing fiction, playing video games, and pining after cats sitting in apartment windows.
Class of 2027
Safa Ahmed attended the University of Minnesota Rochester, where she took part in the NXT GEN MED 2.5-year Bachelor of Health Science program. During her undergraduate studies, Safa was placed in a 1 year rotational internship in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, which exposed her to different healthcare positions. It was ultimately her last rotation with the Genetics and Genomics lab that sparked her interest in the field of Genetic Counseling. In sparks of her new interests, she began working at a local high school in Apple Valley, MN, to gain counseling skills. Although it was not patient-facing, she learned many significant lessons that related back to the field. She learned to advocate for her students, encourage self-independence, and push students to collaborate and problem solve. Safa also volunteered at Park Nicollet to gain some patient experience. Her research in Alphathalassemia and Fabry disease deepened her apprehension of the complexities patients face daily. Ultimately, she strives to become a future genetic counselor who can provide great care for her patients and take it to countries where genetic counseling is not accessible. In her free time, Safa enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies/shows, learning/watching F1, and traveling.
Bryan Burton, originally from Houston, earned his B.A. in Biology with Minors in Chemistry & Spanish at the University of North Texas, where he researched bacteriophages, quail population genetics, and held multiple elected leadership positions in academic organizations. He then earned an M.S. in Integrative Genomics at Black Hills State University, where he wrote and published his thesis on the genetic mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease, worked on a COVID-19 variant identification project, and performed product testing and development for a biomedical device. After graduating, Bryan performed analytical chemistry in a highly regulated industrial laboratory and gained additional education in biomedical engineering at South Dakota Mines. Inspired by his experiences growing up with Long QT Syndrome and losing family to Alzheimer’s Disease, Bryan is driven to share the healing power of information with others. Following his passion for science and empowerment through education, Bryan founded a small business geared towards science communication. Through his business, Burton Science & Technology LLC, he has worked to offer accessible STEAM education to his local community. Growing up, nature’s beautiful genetic narratives captivated Bryan, eventually leading him into his role as a certified volunteer Master Gardener. Bryan has volunteered to teach free classes and created a certified national monarch waystop and educational garden to highlight the necessity of genetic diversity in monarch butterflies, among other themes in population genetics. Bryan believes that health is not the end of disease but the beginning of meaning, where we start to observe the patterns in our lives and understand ourselves more fully.
Brooke Fiedler was born and raised in Holdingford, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in May 2025 with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology and Development and minors in Psychology and Health & Genomics. Throughout her undergraduate career, she was an active member of the UMN Pre-Genetic Counseling Club, serving first as secretary and later as president. In 2023, she got involved with Dr. Heather Zierhut’s GC-PRO study, where she gained experience in patient communication, clinic operations, and genetic counseling session coding. She also collaborated with Dr. Ian MacFarlane on projects studying nonverbal communication in genetic counseling and the publication pipeline of NSGC abstracts. Beyond her academic and research involvement, Brooke supported Minneapolis high school students as a TRIO Upward Bound instructor, teaching the Life & Environmental Sciences and College Writing courses to 9th–12th graders while helping them develop the skills and motivation needed to complete high school and prepare for college. Dedicated to advocacy and community engagement, she volunteered at the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, where she provided short-term care and support for children in crisis situations. She has also served as a substitute paraprofessional, supporting students with unique intellectual and physical needs in school environments. Since 2022, Brooke has been an assistant coach for the Holdingford Dance Team, where she mentors student-athletes and fosters both technical and personal growth. In her free time, Brooke enjoys taking hot yoga classes, spending time with friends and family, and visiting all the local coffee shops that Minneapolis has to offer.
Annika Flees was born and raised in Savage, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2024 with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development and a minor in Health and Genomics. As an undergraduate, Annika was an active member of the UMN Pre-Genetic Counseling Club. She volunteered at the Aurora Center as a Violence Prevention Educator. In this role, she facilitated workshops to various university groups in the effort to educate on issues of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and other related topics. For two years, she worked at the UMN Genomics Center, starting off as a student lab assistant, then transitioning into the Quality Control Service manager after graduation. She gained extensive knowledge on DNA/ RNA sizing analysis and procedure, loading the latest sequencing machines, and oversaw the student workers. Outside of school, Annika volunteered with the Bond Between pet food shelf, supporting individuals as they supported their pets needs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her cat, reading fantasy novels, binging reality television, and playing video games.
Eva Grant grew up in the Twin Cities metro area. She graduated with high distinction from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, and minors in Psychology and Spanish Studies. Throughout her undergraduate career, Eva volunteered through Crisis Textline as a crisis counselor and at Gigi’s Playhouse as a math tutor. She also worked as a genetics TA, which furthered her excitement about education both in and out of the classroom. In her senior year, she assisted with a graduate student’s scholarly project on the professional development of laboratory genetic counselors, which fueled her passion for the field as a whole. After graduation, she began volunteering through Friends & Co as a weekly phone companion for an older adult in Minnesota, and through Courage Kenny as a swim practice assistant. She also spent one year working as a clinic coordinator in a primary care clinic, which deepened her understanding of the healthcare field and the patient perspective. Most recently, she has been working as a genetic counseling assistant/provider coordinator through Allina Health. In this role, she reaches out to patients who meet criteria for cancer-related genetic testing based on a family history questionnaire, explains why they meet criteria, and helps the patient decide whether they are interested in scheduling a genetic counseling appointment. In her free time, Eva enjoys going on walks, swimming, traveling, and trying new coffee shops.
Carol Heiberger grew up in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a B.S. in Integrative Biology and minors in Psychology and Public Health. During and after college, she worked for the Northwest Special Recreation Association, which provides community-based recreation programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In her role, she assisted and led various programs, including serving as an assistant coach for Special Olympics track and field athletes. A personal family experience with cancer and genetic testing during this time sparked her interest in genetic counseling and how genetic counselors fit into the broader healthcare system. Following graduation, Carol worked at Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, an outpatient physical and occupational therapy clinic. She also interned at Igenomix, a reproductive genetics laboratory, where she learned about preimplantation genetic testing. These experiences deepened her appreciation and passion for the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of genetic counseling. In her free time, Carol enjoys spending time with loved ones, trying local restaurants, traveling, and being outdoors as much as she can.
Lily Leahy grew up in Hanover, Minnesota. She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Japanese Studies. At Gustavus, Lily enjoyed supporting students as a biology laboratory teaching assistant, biology tutor, and peer academic coach. She also founded the Pre-Genetic Counseling Club at Gustavus and organized informational interviews with genetic counselors, professional development workshops, and trips to the MNGCA Conference for prospective students. Outside of school, Lily embraced her love for advocacy work. She served as a Crisis Text Line counselor, a hospice companion volunteer, and a Health Center Intern at Concordia Language Villages. During her summer job as an Adaptive Inclusive Recreation Specialist, Lily discovered her passion for supporting individuals with genetic disorders by helping children with disabilities participate in parks and recreation summer camps. In her free time, Lily loves knitting/crocheting, hiking, swimming, and working out at the gym.
Marah Loayza grew up in Mankato, Minnesota. She graduated in 2022 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Genetics & Genomics and Life Sciences Communication. As an undergraduate student, she worked as a research assistant in the Biomedical Genomic Research Group, investigating Neurofibromatosis Type 1 through cell culture experiments. During this time, Marah also began gaining patient care experience as a nursing assistant and telemetry technician at a veteran’s hospital. Following her undergraduate career, she worked as a care coordination specialist in a rural primary care clinic. Her role focused on educating and encouraging patients to undergo routine preventative health and cancer screenings. For the three years preceding graduate school, she volunteered at Gilda’s Club Madison, a cancer support community. Here, she facilitated weekly support groups for children affected by cancer by using art and play to lead discussions about the causes, treatments, problems, and emotions associated with cancer. In her free time, Marah enjoys crocheting, reading, taking fitness classes, trying new restaurants and cuisines, or lounging with her two cats.
Lily MacNaughton grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology, along with minors in health and genomics and leadership. As an undergraduate student, Lily spent time researching literature on how adoptees and donor-conceived people utilize genetic testing in the absence of robust family health history. She hopes to continue to find ways to make genetic counseling more accessible to underrepresented communities. Outside of school, she worked closely with the disabled community as a PCA and still identifies as a caregiver today! Following graduation, Lily was employed as a psychometrist at Allina Health. In this role, she gained experience in administering neuropsychological evaluations with patients. In her free time, Lily enjoys trying new foods and exploring different cuisines. Lily makes the most of the land of 10,000 lakes by going for walks around them while listening to a book or podcast.
Emily Marlette grew up in Little Falls, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2019 with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development and a minor in Public Health. During undergrad, she worked as a personal care assistant and spent a semester studying public health in Thailand, which fostered her passion for patient advocacy. After graduation, she worked with the 10,000 Families Study, which aimed to understand how genetics, lifestyle, and environment impact the health of Minnesota families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked with NCI’s SeroNet to coordinate research studies examining immunological responses to the COVID-19 vaccine. These earlier research experiences integrated her interests in genetics, public health, and patient advocacy, and ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in genetic counseling. Most recently, she worked in the Fairview Molecular Diagnostics Lab, where she enjoyed collaborating with genetic counselors and helping both patients and providers navigate the complexities of germline genetic testing. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring the Minneapolis food scene, camping, and going on walks with her partner and two cats (yes, they have their own stroller).
Ph.D. students
Jacque Lyman grew up in Chandler, Arizona and graduated summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University with degrees in Biology and Spanish and a minor in Chemistry. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a researcher in conservation genetics and developed a noninvasive assay to detect environmental DNA of an endangered mammal. She studied abroad for two semesters in Spain at the University of Alicante where she took classes in ocean sports, culinary arts, and molecular genetics. Additionally, she interned in an andrology research lab optimizing gamete selection for assisted reproduction. Jacque was an Honors student mentor, crisis counselor with Crisis Text Line, and a volunteer for children with limb differences. She founded Northern Arizona University’s first multidisciplinary campus organization for Women in STEM to promote inclusion and advancement for underrepresented students. Jacque is an only child, despite being raised alongside a blue and gold macaw named Booboo. In her free time, Jacque enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and petting dogs.
Alana Rodney is originally from Baton Rouge, LA. She graduated in 2019 from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences. As an undergraduate, she did research in maize genetics and worked as a mentor for underrepresented students in science. She also completed a Master’s in Animal Science from the University of Missouri, with a focus on genes involved in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma. She is now a dual PhD/Genetic counseling student and works in Dr. Michael Koob’s lab and studies the genetic mechanisms involved in Alzheimer’s. In her free time, she enjoys walking Lake Bde Maka Ska, serving in her community, and listening to live music.
Elise Travis grew up in Tracy, California. In 2017, she was the first in my family to graduate from college from California State University, East Bay with a B.S. in General Biology. After graduation, Elise worked full-time as a lab associate at a biotech start-up in the Bay Area and also worked part-time as an advocate at Ruby's Place and A Safe Place Emergency shelter. Elise’s involvement in the genetic counseling community began in 2019 at the NSGC conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she met UMN genetic counseling alumni, joined the Minority Genetics Professional Network (MGPN), and met many Black genetic counselors who still mentor her today. In 2020, Elise moved to Ohio to attend Case Western Reserve University. In Cleveland, she worked at the VA hospital and completed her Master of Arts in Bioethics and Medical Humanities under the leadership of Dr. Patricia Marshall, Dr. Marsha Michie, and Dr. Aaron Goldenberg. Elise’s capstone research project on Black infant mortality in Northern California was presented at the 2021 CDC Place and Health Conference. In Fall 2021, Elise moved back to the Bay Area and worked at Genentech, where she served on the Global Ethics Committee and member of the Oncology Biomarker Development (OBD) DEI Committee. In January 2022, she worked as an IRTA scholar at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) with the Genetic Counseling team in Bethesda, Maryland. In her free time, Elise enjoys traveling, baking, spending time with her King Charles Cavalier, and connecting with other current genetic counselors and prospective genetic counseling students in the GOLDEN network.