ACGT Program Trainees

Lauren Cruz, PhD, MPH, is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She earned her BA in Biological Anthropology from Miami University and her MPH and PhD from Case Western Reserve University. Her dissertation consisted of multi-ancestry genome-wide association studies in the NIH All of Us Research Program and the Million Veteran Program to identify genetic risk loci for primary open-angle glaucoma in populations underrepresented in biomedical research. She is currently working on investigating the genetic and multi-omic architecture of cardiovascular disease. Her policy priorities include evidence-based policy decisions, fair and equitable implementation of precision medicine practices, and more diverse representation in scientific research.

Erin Cullinane is a fourth-year PhD candidate in the Genetics and Genomics Program at Boston University. She earned her BS in Biology with minors in math and chemistry from Curry College. Her doctoral research examines how bronchial premalignant lesions evade immune surveillance during the development of lung squamous cell carcinoma. Specifically, she studies how molecular changes in antigen presentation in lung epithelial cells influence whether these lesions regress or progress toward invasive carcinoma. Erin is passionate about bridging the gap between biomedical research and public policy. Her advocacy interests include expanding equitable access to emerging genetic technologies and recommended cancer screening, and protecting the privacy of individuals’ genetic information. She is particularly interested in ensuring that advances in genetics and cancer research benefit patients and communities that have historically faced barriers to accessing new technologies and preventive care. Through the ACGT program, Erin hopes to strengthen her ability to communicate complex scientific issues to policymakers and advocate for policies that promote equity, privacy, and scientific progress.

David De Zayas is a second-year Master’s candidate studying Bioinformatics & Computational Biology at the Morsani School of Medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with Honors at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. Working as a genetic counselor’s assistant at Moffitt Cancer Center, David saw firsthand how valuable genetic testing could be, yet how often it remained inaccessible to patients who needed it. That experience shapes his policy goals: expanding access to genetic testing and increasing patient education so that personalized medicine can become the standard of care and medicine can shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. He plans to pursue an MD and hopes to implement genomic tools into research and clinical practice while addressing disparities in population sampling and representation.

Kelly Estilette, MPH, MCHES, Certified Disease Intervention Specialist (CDI), is a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate and Tulane Global Health Scholar in Leadership, Advocacy, and Equity with a focus on Public Health Genomics at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, where she previously earned her MPH in Community Health Sciences with an independent focus in Genetic Epidemiology. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background spanning clinical medicine, epidemiology, genomics, and public health, she approaches complex health challenges through a One Health perspective that recognizes human, animal, and environmental health as interconnected systems and seeks to integrate knowledge across them to advance disease prevention and population health. Kelly conducts epigenomic research investigating DNA methylation dynamics and chromatin architecture using multi-omics and bioinformatic approaches. Her broader work explores how advances in human genetics and genomics can be translated into precision prevention, public health surveillance, and population health practice. Her policy interests include genomic data infrastructure, responsible genomic data stewardship, biomedical research, and the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of translating advances in human genetics and genomics into equitable public health policy and practice. Through the ACGT program, she looks forward to strengthening her science policy and advocacy skills to help bridge research, public health practice, and policymaking.

Fujr Osman is a PhD candidate in the Human Genetics and Genomics program at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where her thesis focuses on identifying genomic modifiers of sickle cell nephropathy through genome-wide association studies. She is passionate about the ethical use of biomedical research and the protection of genetic and genomic information, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence and the genetic commerce industry. Fujr earned her BS in Biotechnology, with minors in Chemistry and Data Science, from Maryville University of St. Louis.

Katherine Singleton is a PhD candidate in the Genetics and Molecular Biology program at Emory University. She earned her BS in Biochemistry from Clemson University, where she developed a personal interest in genetics and a lifelong love for dogs in Clemson’s Canine Genetics Lab. At Emory, she has transitioned her developing skill set into the human health space, studying the molecular interplay of sex and autoimmune disease, utilizing computational approaches. Katherine is passionate about connective tissue disease research and complex disease diagnostics, as well as uplifting and supporting disabled students in higher education. She envisions a more accessible future where all individuals have the care they need, and science policy is driven by and reflective of the needs of patients.

Zoe Swayne is a second-year genetic counseling student at Baylor College of Medicine. She earned her BS in Human Biology from Indiana University, Bloomington. Her passion for advocacy stems from participating in Advocacy Day with the National Fragile X Foundation for the past three years. This experience shaped her health policy interests, which include increasing healthcare access and research funding for individuals with rare and undiagnosed diseases. Her master’s thesis is investigating the use of machine learning models for gene and variant prioritization to try and identify a genetic cause for those who remain without a diagnosis. In her future career, she wishes to combine her passion for research, quality patient care, and health policy and advocacy to improve outcomes for rare and undiagnosed disease populations.

Eden Teferedegn is a Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG) fellow at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with a background in molecular biology, translational research, and genomics. Her training and research interests focus on genomic medicine, molecular diagnostics, and the application of genetic technologies to improve patient care. Originally from Ethiopia, where access to genetic testing and specialized genetics services remains limited, Eden is passionate about expanding equitable access to genomic healthcare and strengthening genomics capacity in underserved communities. Through the ACGT Program, she hopes to strengthen her advocacy and policy skills and contribute to efforts that advance health equity, genomic literacy, and access to genetic and genomic healthcare in underserved communities. Her long-term goal is to help build genomics capacity in Africa and establish an independent research program focused on improving access to genomic medicine in resource-limited settings.

Anne Marie Wells is an MD-PhD student at UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine. She earned her PhD in Neuroscience studying the genetic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopment and now blends her clinical training with postdoctoral research in population neurogenetics. Her work leverages the NIH All of Us Research Program to integrate genomic and electronic health record data to investigate the genetic and environmental contributors to neurological and psychiatric disease, with the goal of advancing precision psychiatry. Anne’s policy interests include advancing equitable implementation of genomic medicine, promoting responsible stewardship of large-scale genomic and health data, and strengthening policies that support diverse participation in biomedical research. She is particularly interested in ensuring that advances in human genetics translate into evidence-based clinical care that benefits all populations while maintaining public trust, privacy, and access. Through the ASHG Advocacy Certificate for Genetics and Genomics Trainees (ACGT) program, she hopes to strengthen her science communication and advocacy skills, engage with policymakers, and contribute to shaping policies that support responsible innovation in genetics and precision medicine.

Mari Williams is a fourth-year PhD student in Biomedical Sciences at the University of California San Diego. She earned her BS in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her doctoral research investigates the gene regulatory programs underlying the brain’s response to fentanyl and the inherited risk factors that may influence them. Mari was introduced to advocacy work through her organizing efforts with her graduate student union, and through the ACGT program, she hopes to strengthen her skills in science communication to more effectively reach lawmakers and voters. Her policy interests range from improving access and equity in genetic medicine to expanding funding for science-backed harm reduction programs for addiction. Mari believes academia, industry, and government share a responsibility to ensure scientific innovation benefits people across all backgrounds, and she hopes this fellowship will help scientists translate that belief into policy.

Jennifer Blanc, PhD, is a Data Science Preceptor at the University of Chicago Data Science Institute and the City Colleges of Chicago. She earned her PhD in Human Genetics from the University of Chicago in 2024. As a statistical and population geneticist, her research focuses on developing novel approaches that leverage genetic data to better understand complex trait variation across diverse human populations. As an educator, Jennifer is passionate about genetics education and outreach. Her policy interests focus on improving genetics education for both K-12 and adult learners, with the goal of improving public understanding of the complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors in shaping phenotypic variation.

Dallas Hurst is a second-year Master’s candidate in the Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics program at the Keck Graduate Institute in Claremont, California. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of La Verne, where she was introduced to the value of effective scientific communication. Her participation on the undergraduate debate team, along with her graduate coursework in genomics, has strengthened her commitment to understanding how policy influences access to innovative care for vulnerable populations. Through the ACGT program, Dallas hopes to refine her ability to advocate for ongoing research and communicate its importance to audiences beyond the scientific community. She aspires to center her career on advancing equity in translational and clinical research by expanding representation and access for underserved populations.

Shaurita D. Hutchins is a PhD candidate in Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research is centered on the application of computational genomics to rare genetic disorders, with an emphasis on integrating multi-omic data to identify underlying disease mechanisms. Her policy interests include advancing inclusivity in genomic research, addressing bias in AI models trained on non-diverse datasets, and strengthening protections for data ownership and consent. She is also interested in privacy considerations and the ethical use of large-scale sequencing data and AI-driven data analysis. Through the ACGT program, she looks forward to expanding her advocacy skills and contributing to policy discussions that promote equity and accountability in genomics.

Emilee Kotnik, PhD, is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), studying the methylation and genomics of AML and CAR-T cells. She received her PhD in Molecular Genomics and Genetics from WashU in 2023 and studied ovarian cancer genomics for her dissertation research. She attended the University of Michigan for undergrad and grew up in Ohio. Emilee is very passionate about applying her expertise in genetics and genomics to make a broader impact beyond the lab. She is interested in policy and advocacy on novel genetic technologies, genetic privacy, and access to genetic testing for disease prevention.

Nicole R. Legro, MD (Nikki), is a fourth-year obstetrics and gynecology resident at MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University Hospital. She earned her BS in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto and her MD from Penn State College of Medicine. Nikki’s interest in genetics began with studying basic pathways in yeast and has evolved to focus on prenatal genetics and genotype–phenotype correlations in rare disorders. She will be pursuing a combined fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Clinical Genetics, with long-term goals of integrating prenatal diagnosis, genomic medicine, and multidisciplinary care for families experiencing complex pregnancies. Her advocacy interests include equitable access to reproductive genetic testing and improving patient and provider education on prenatal screening. Through this program, she hopes to expand her understanding of newborn screening.

Taylor Rabanus is a second-year genetic counseling MS student at the Medical University of South Carolina. She earned her BS in Genomics and Molecular Genetics from Michigan State University. For her collaborative master’s thesis, she is evaluating cancer genetic counselor perceptions and knowledge of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M). Her policy interests include the recent termination of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (SACHDNC), which guides updates to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), as well as advocating for increased NIH funding to advance disease research. She looks forward to developing advocacy skills and incorporating them into her career as a clinical genetic counselor to better serve future patients.

Nandini Samanta is a PhD student in Genetics and Genomics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She completed her BS in Genetics from the University of Rochester before working as a research assistant at Massachusetts General Hospital. At Mount Sinai, she is using computational approaches to study structural variants in the genome and how they impact health and disease. Broadly, her interests include how policy can promote equitable access to and implementation of genomics research. In particular, she wants to understand how genomic tools can be responsibly integrated into research and clinical practice while addressing disparities in population sampling and representation.

Kate Shelly, PhD, is currently a postdoctoral fellow and genetic counseling trainee in the Department of Human Genetics at Emory University. Kate’s basic research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying FMR1-related conditions, while her genetic counseling thesis utilizes large-omics data to identify new comorbidities in women with the FMR1 premutation. These projects build on Kate’s experience in reproductive biology and the clinical IVF laboratory gained prior to graduate school. Her policy and advocacy interests are to expand access to genetic counseling and genetic services for individuals at risk of inherited conditions, particularly those affected by rare diseases or reproductive challenges. Through these efforts, she aims to shorten diagnostic odysseys and provide essential genetics education to the individuals and families who need it most.

Carissa Sherman is a PhD candidate in the Human Medical Genetics and Genomics program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and a member of the Claw Indigenous Genomics and Ethics Laboratory. She earned her BA in Molecular Biology with a minor in Anthropology from Colorado College. Carissa’s mom and uncle are blind from a genetic condition, retinitis pigmentosa, and growing up, Carissa had questions about genetic conditions among Indigenous peoples and the lack of clinical research opportunities on the Navajo Nation, which has upheld a moratorium on human genetic research since 2002. That curiosity led her to her current lab, where she uses mixed-methods research and community-based participatory research approaches to understand community perspectives on genetics to potentially support Tribal leaders in shaping a genetics research policy. Carissa is interested in policy and advocacy with Indigenous peoples, especially around Indigenous Data Sovereignty. Through this program, she hopes to explore the possibilities of science policy and advocacy as an avenue to give back to her communities.

Lauren Spor, MPH, is a Human Genetics PhD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. She earned an MPH in Public Health Genetics from the University of Pittsburgh and a BS in Human Biology and Society from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her doctoral research focuses on the genetic epidemiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Samoans, a population which is underrepresented in biomedical research yet disproportionally affected by T2D. She previously interned with the National Cancer Institute to conduct cancer genetic epidemiology research on xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare disease, and volunteered with the All of Us Research Program’s Policy Office to support the ethical, legal, and social implications assessments of their proposed genomic policies. Lauren strongly supports science-based policy. Her advocacy priorities include funding for genomic research, bolstering public health genetics programs like newborn screening, and reproductive rights.