Class of 2028

Liana Friedman

Liana received a bachelor's degree in human biology from the University of California, San Diego. During college, she served as a clinical research assistant at the Gleeson Lab for Neurogenetics at the UCSD School of Medicine, where she contributed to the Spina Bifida Sequencing Consortium and other neurogenetics studies. Prior to graduate school, she worked as an optometric assistant at a private optometry practice. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Liana enjoys spending time with friends, being outdoors, trying new recipes, and going to yoga classes.

 

Tess Ginsberg

Tess received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Virginia. During college, she worked as a medical assistant and volunteered at Remote Area Medical, an organization dedicated to providing quality healthcare to underserved communities through free mobile clinics. Prior to graduate school, Tess worked as a genetic counseling assistant at Inova in Northern Virginia and volunteered with Jill’s House providing care and companionship for children with intellectual disabilities. She is originally from Falls Church, Virginia and her hobbies include photography, baking and exploring New York City. 

 

Brandtson Goodwin

Brandtson received a bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in pre-professional studies from Stockton University. During college, he worked as a math and science tutor, a TA for laboratory courses, and an instructional assistant for the university. After graduating he continued working as a tutor at his alma mater, eventually becoming head tutor for life sciences. He also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in the foster care system. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Brandtson has lived in New Jersey for almost a decade and enjoys exploring NYC for new food and cocktail spots, as well as spending any time he can find with his loved ones.

 

Mariam Hassan

Mariam received a bachelor’s degree with honors in genetics with a minor in psychology from Rutgers University. During college, she taught a seminar about genetics and genetic gounseling, worked with a research team to revise a high-school genetics curriculum, and connected underserved patients to community resources at Hackensack Meridian Health. Prior to graduate school, Mariam volunteered with Crisis Text Line and Valley’s Keriker Center for Child Development. Originally from Paramus, New Jersey, she enjoys reading, trying new cafes, and spending time with friends and family.

 

Mia Montgomery 

Mia received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Utah. During college, she was a medical scribe and clinical assistant at a retina clinic specializing in clinical trials and retinal disease research. Mia also worked as a learning assistant for an undergraduate genetics course. As a volunteer with the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition hotline, she provided compassionate support over the phone to individuals in crisis across Utah and surrounding areas. Mia is from Kaysville, Utah, and enjoys reading, travelling, concerts, guitar, movies, and spending time with friends and family. 

 

Allyson Nguyen

Allyson received a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego. During college, she was a neuroscience research assistant at The Scripps Research Institute, tutored middle schoolers who qualified for the McKinney-Vento Act, and held a board position for the Vietnamese Student Association. After graduating, she worked as a medical assistant in both dermatology/wound care and psychiatry, as well as volunteering for Crisis Text Line. Allyson grew up in Chicago, Illinois where she discovered her love of trying new restaurants, reading, live music, and secondhand shopping. She is conversant in Spanish. 

 

Katie Nunez

Dean's Scholar

Katie received a bachelor's degree with honors in molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics from Towson University, where she was also on the swim team. After college, she spent a year at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a postbac research fellow in a virology research lab. Katie went on to work as a research coordinator for the arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy group at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She was also a hotline volunteer with Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused. Katie is from Newport News, Virginia and enjoys weightlifting, baking, and spending time with her two cats.

 

Milena Pajevic

Milena received a bachelor’s degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. During college, she was a lab assistant, an academic tutor, and the new member chair of her sorority. Prior to graduate school, Milena worked as a genetic counseling assistant at a fertility clinic specializing in PGT. She has volunteered at events for siblings of children with rare genetic diseases and long-term at an LGBTQ+ community center. Milena was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado and loves making art, practicing yoga, going skiing, and finding the best coffee shop in the vicinity. She is proficient in Spanish.

 

May Ling Roberts

Dean's Scholar

May Ling received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Pomona College, where she was also on the swim team.. Before graduate school, she worked as a cancer genetics intern at UCSF and genetic counseling assistant at GeneDx. May Ling volunteered with Crisis Text Line and several non-profit organizations providing swim lessons to underserved communities. She is from San Francisco, California, and enjoys walks around Central Park, trying new sports, and crafting. 

 

Vasilisa Shchukin

Vasilisa received a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in international studies from Stony Brook University. Her interest in genetics was sparked by patterns of cardiovascular disease and lipid levels within her own family. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a medical assistant in cardiology and gained experience in variant curation through ClinGen. Vasilisa also volunteered with Crisis Text Line and Red Door Community, and mentored through iCouldBe. Originally from Moscow, Russia, Vasilisa has lived in NYC for more than 15 years and enjoys spending time with family, museums, hiking, and exploring the city. She is bilingual in English and Russian.

 

Jessica Smith

Jessica received a bachelor's degree in both psychology and natural sciences with a minor in chemistry, along with certificates in the conceptual foundations of medicine and global health from the University of Pittsburgh. During college, she worked as a teaching and research assistant at the Psychoneuroimmunology Lab. She also worked as a genetic counseling assistant in the Laboratory Services Department at UPMC Children's Hospital. Prior to graduate school, Jessica volunteered at the Crisis Text Line. She is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania and her hobbies include crocheting, going to concerts, exploring, and spending time with friends and family.

 

Olivia Sullivan

Olivia received a bachelor's degree with honors in psychology and neuroscience from UMass Amherst. During college, she was an honors college ambassador, counseled natural science students in career decision-making, and conducted research in two neuroscience labs. Prior to graduate school, Olivia worked in the dermatology and surgery medical fields, the skincare and fragrance product development industry, and healthcare tech. She has volunteered to promote menstrual equity and support individuals recovering from substance abuse in navigating the workforce. Olivia is originally from central New Jersey and her hobbies include exploring museums, thrifting, and urban hiking.