Class of 2027
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).
Class of 2028
Alison Wilcox grew up in the Twin Cities area. She graduated from St. Olaf College in 2024 with a B.A. in Biology and a concentration in Family Studies. During her undergraduate studies, she worked at Camp Royal through the Autism Society of North Carolina during her sophomore year and studied abroad in New Zealand at the University of Otago during her junior year. She was also a student-athlete on her school’s NCAA Division III swim team, serving as a captain during her senior year. After graduation, Alison was selected for the ASHG-NHGRI Genomic Analyst Fellowship and moved to the DMV, where she worked in science communications and explored genomic policy. During her time at ASHG, she participated in genetic advocacy and congressional briefings on Capitol Hill, developed public engagement toolkits, and attended professional conferences on behalf of the society. In her free time, Alison enjoys swimming, crafting, reading, and trying new foods.
Claire Laur grew up outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in December 2025 with a B.S. in Biobehavioral Health and minors in Psychology and Biology. Throughout her undergraduate career, Claire was an active member of the Biobehavioral Health Society, Special Olympics Club, and Campus Orchestra. Claire was the President of the Penn State Genetic Counseling Club, where she organized informational interviews with genetic counselors, guided students through the application process for genetic counseling master's programs, and took students to the PACG conference to present genetics research and network with genetic counselors. Claire also worked as a research assistant for the Multi-omics Discovery and Exploration Lab (MoDEL) under Dr. Mohanraj Krishnan, where she focused on studying rare variants associated with obesity in minority populations of the South Pacific. During her senior year, Claire was an undergraduate teaching intern for a research and applications course. Outside of school, Claire volunteered as a peer counselor with Empower Work to strengthen her advocacy skills. After graduation, Claire worked with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, where she gained insight into neurodevelopmental variability and strengthened her ability to communicate compassionately with children and their families about their clinical sessions. Outside of academics, Claire loves spending time outdoors, watching movies, exercising, and spending time with friends and family.
Elizabeth Colson grew up in the St. Louis area. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Psychology. After college, she worked as a lab technician in the Adams Lab at the University of Chicago. There, she supported protein expression in the lab, specifically on a comparative immunology project studying shark antigen presenting molecules. During this time, Elizabeth also volunteered with local advocacy organizations. She volunteered as a coach with Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) and created adaptive sports experiences for youth with disabilities. She loved helping the young athletes learn and play and really enjoyed learning how to support each unique athlete’s needs. She also spent time volunteering with UChicago Medicine as an adult in-patient visitor. There, she provided compassionate care to patients and offered a listening ear when they needed company. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys going for walks, travelling, reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Grace Parker grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Genetics and Genomics. While at UW-Madison, she researched the genetic and environmental mechanisms underlying complex neurodevelopmental conditions such as schizophrenia. Her work on the DEI teams of several student organizations, tutoring young adults with Down syndrome, and camp counseling fostered her deep commitment to inclusive education. After graduation, she moved to San José, Costa Rica to learn Spanish and teach English as a foreign language. Her passions include language equity, community-centered research, and working with children. In her freetime, Grace enjoys reading, playing soccer, telling stories with friends and family, and dancing.
Greta Schlafer grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Biology on the Genetics and Biotechnology track and a minor in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, she was an active member of the UIowa Genetics Exploration and Engagement Club and served as the community outreach coordinator. Greta worked in research as part of a team studying the genetic basis of epilepsy and the correlation between epilepsy and autism using a fruit fly model. This experience furthered her interest in genetics as it brought to life the concepts she learned in classes. She also worked as a Teaching Lab Assistant and a Biology Student Ambassador. These positions helped hone her educational and communication skills. During the summer before her senior year, she was an intern in genetic counseling for the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics. In this role, she worked with genetic counselors at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in a variety of specialty clinics. Attending patient appointments, educating them on genetic conditions and risk, and supporting them through the genetic counseling process confirmed and strengthened her passion for the career. In her free time, Greta enjoys going for walks outside, reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Ian Kontos was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. He moved to Tampa to attend the University of South Florida, graduating magna cum laude with a B.S. in Biology in 2025. During college, his extensive volunteer work allowed him to form deep connections with his community and advocate for local marginalized populations. He worked with the IDEA Exchange of Tampa Bay, a syringe exchange and overdose prevention program focused on supporting people struggling with addiction. He also worked with Women Helping Others of Tampa Bay to serve and support the homeless population and community members in need. After completing his undergraduate genetics course, Ian worked as a learning assistant in the general genetics laboratory. Here, he strengthened his foundation in genetics and discovered his love for teaching others. It was at USF that he connected with local genetic counselors, joined the Florida Association of Genetic Counselors, and shadowed at both USF Health and UF Health clinics. After graduating, Ian pursued his passion for education and joined AdventHealth University, working as a simulation and skills specialist for their nursing program. In his free time, Ian loves exploring new foods and restaurants, spending time around the water, keeping up with Boston’s sports teams, going on walks with his puppy, Winnie.
Jenna Fawcett grew up in Waconia, MN. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an undergraduate degree in Neurobiology. During her undergraduate years, she worked as a CNA, gaining impactful direct patient care experiences, and participated in a lab where she reviewed and analyzed results of psychometric tests including EEGs, verbal responses, bodily responses, and TMS-EEGs. She was also an active member of the Pre-Genetic Counseling Organization. After graduating in 2023, she moved to Madrid, Spain, where she took a job teaching English at a bilingual school to students ages 3 to 12 years old. After returning to the US, she then transitioned back to a clinical role where she worked as a Psychometrist in a neurology clinic administering cognitive testing for children and adults with a wide variety of cognitive symptoms. In addition to this role, she conducted population-level research on the prevalence and treatment of U.S. children with congenital heart disease and ADHD. Outside of work she volunteered with the National Ski Patrol to provide compassionate support to distressed individuals and families during medical emergencies. In her free time she enjoys anything outdoors, being active, traveling, and eating good food with family and friends.
Kennedy Hawk grew up in Minot, North Dakota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) in 2025 with a B.S. in Genetics and Cell Development, along with a minor in communication. During her undergraduate time, she was part of a research assistantship where she investigated framing effects of uncertainty and uncertainty management strategies on women’s ambiguity-averse responses to expanded carrier screening. She attended an undergraduate research study in Morocco centered on Moroccan knowledge of autosomal recessive disorders and expanded carrier screening. In 2022, she co-founded the Pre-genetic counseling club at UMD to create a community of support for students who had interest in genetics and genetic counseling and later became president of the club. In this role she was able to network with genetic counselors within the Duluth area, sparking her interest in the generalist genetic counseling role. Kennedy volunteered for Duluth’s Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) receiving advocacy training to support survivors and guided them through counseling, legal, and housing services PAVSA offers. After graduating, she continued working as a personal care assistant in the Duluth community. Kennedy enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, biking, and learning about various plants and insects within the ecosystem.
Maggie Osterhaus grew up in Stoughton, Wisconsin, a small town outside of Madison. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024 with a B.S. in Genetics & Genomics and a certificate in Disability Rights and Services. Throughout her undergraduate career, Maggie was involved in research in both the plant genetics and evolutionary genetics settings, gaining her a broad understanding of how the fields of genetics and research may intersect. She discovered her love for working in a patient care setting while being employed as a respite care provider through United Cerebral Palsy. Working as a peer advisor for UW Madison’s SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) also strengthened Maggie’s love for teaching and helping individuals through vulnerable situations. She explored her interest in genetic counseling by being an active member and holding a board position through the Pre-Genetic Counseling Organization at UW Madison. After graduation, Maggie began working as a genetic counseling assistant (GCA) at the Waisman Medical Genetics Center at UW Health. Here, she gained valuable experience working with patients, supporting genetic counselors, and leading the cross-clinic team of GCAs. Maggie also volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters throughout her gap years. In her spare time, Maggie enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing card games, relaxing with a puzzle, and going for walks.
Michelle Morford grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2023 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Biology. As an undergraduate, Michelle conducted research in Dr. Peters’ lab, where she utilized genetic engineering and established metabolic pathways to study pharmaceutically useful chemicals called diterpenoid natural products. She was an active member and co-chair of the Stupka Undergraduate Research Symposium Committee, collaborating with and leading a team of students to plan and produce the annual symposium. She mentored students both as a peer mentor and teaching assistant, continuously building meaningful relationships. Outside of school, Michelle advocated for patients as a patient safety volunteer at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, IA and engaged with her community through a wheelchair basketball program with EA Therapeutic Health in Rochester, MN. After graduating, Michelle became a Genetic Counseling Assistant (GCA) in the Department of Clinical Genomics at Mayo Clinic. She supported patients throughout the department and within a Priority Cancer Clinic. As a GCA and a member of the Belonging Committee, Michelle deepened her passion for patient advocacy and for the role genetic counseling plays in patient empowerment and education. In her free time, Michelle loves being outside, reading, playing Catan with friends and family, and dancing, a lifelong passion of hers from 2nd grade through college as a member of the Iowa State University Dance Team.
Mya Caravello grew up in Loves Park, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in May of 2026 with a B.S. in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development and minors in Public Health in Family Therapy. Throughout her time in undergraduate studies, she was involved in the school’s Pre-Genetic Counseling Club, working as an active member and later as the club’s vice president. She volunteered at MHealth Fairview in the General and Pediatric Genetics department, assisting the genetic counselors in their day-to-day administrative work to ensure they could best focus on patient-centered care. She also became involved in Dr. Heather Zierhut’s Genetic counseling processes result in outcomes (GC-PRO) study in 2024, first as a student through the Deans Research Program and later as a Research Assistant on the study. During her time on the study, she performed many tasks including de-identifying and transcribing real patient genetic counseling sessions, consenting patients onto the study, and coding sessions for intervention purposes. In between undergraduate and graduate school, she served as a College Writing and Computer Literacy teacher for TRIO Upward Bound students in 10th and 12th grade, respectively, aiding in their quest to prepare for college through extra summer studies. Outside of the classroom, Mya holds a strong passion for learning and teaching dance, both things she has participated in throughout her life, back home in Illinois and here at the University of Minnesota. In her free time, she enjoys reading and listening to books, attending as many concerts as she can, and playing games with her family and friends.
Stephanie Pickthorn was raised in Cottonwood, Minnesota. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Saint Benedict with her B.A. in Biology. During her undergrad, she was a member of the track and field team, competing in the pentathlon and heptathlon, along with triple jump, while also working as a teaching assistant for three introductory biology laboratory courses and as a Prospective Student Relations Assistant. Following graduation, she worked as a research assistant at the University of Minnesota on the development of a library of antibodies to be used against the HIV-1 virus. She later joined a lab focusing on liver cancer and viral hepatitis, contributing to projects on biological aging of patients who suffered from hepatocellular carcinoma, cytokine analysis of patients with hepatitis B, and the prevalence of hepatitis D in South American populations. She also volunteered with Crisis Text Line as a crisis counselor and with Neighbors Inc. in St. Paul, MN, assisting unemployed individuals in the process of job applications and supporting them in securing employment. She grew her love for the genetic counseling profession through her passion for education, empathy, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions for themselves. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, trying new coffee shops, crafts, and making cocktails.
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.