Class of 2025
Juliana Barcenas
Juliana received a bachelor's degree in psychology and pre-health from the University of Texas Austin. She immigrated to the US from Colombia as a young child and grew up in Austin, TX. Juliana has experience as a therapy intern in Madrid, Spain and has worked as a hospice volunteer. She has also worked as an ESL teacher as well as a Mountain States Regional Genetics Network intern, and prior to graduate school was a GCA at GenomeMedical. Juliana is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Ivy Bethea
Steinhardt-Goldman Family Scholar
Ivy received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in genetics from Penn State. During college, she has served as an undergraduate resident assistant and worked extensively as a COVID hotline volunteer. She is from Roselle, NJ. Ivy has worked as a GC intern at the Penn Medicine Basser Center for Breast Cancer and a customer experience agent at LOLA in NYC, specializing in social media management.
Alyssa Boye
Alyssa received a bachelor's degree in behavior & biological sciences from the University of Michigan. During college, she volunteered with a variety of organizations, including the NOAH Projeect, Gleaners, Starfish Family Services, Child’s Hope, and Kids Coalition Against Hunger. Alyssa is from Downriver, MI. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a cognitive neuroscience research assistant and a prenatal genetic counseling assistant. Alyssa’s hobbies include kickboxing and bullet journaling.
Cal Burns
Diversity Scholar
Cal received a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in religion from the University of Georgia. They have worked as a health clinic volunteer in Haiti, a counselor with The Trevor Project, and a volunteer with both Special Olympics and meals on Wheels. Cal has most recently lived in San Diego, CA and prior to graduate school worked as a genetic counseling assistant at UC San Diego Health in a cancer genetics clinic. They previously worked as an emergency department scribe at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital and their hobbies include reading, hiking, and volleyball.
Marie Droual
Marie received a bachelor's degree in molecular & cell biology with a minor in theater/dance/performance studies from the University of California, Berkeley. During college, she studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. She has worked as a Crisis Text Line intern, research assistant at Rockefeller University, and an animal care coordinator at Stanislaus Wildlife. Marie has volunteered with Carpenter’s Shop Halfway Homeless Shelter and United Samaritans. She has most recently lived in NYC and prior to graduate school worked as a school partnerships manager with CommonLit. Marie is proficient in French.
Austin Eastmure
Austin received a bachelor's degree in biology with minors in chemistry and Japanese from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to graduate school, he worked as a genetic counseling assistant with Clover Genetics and a volunteer listener with 7 Cups. During college, Austin was a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) trainee. As well, he completed a summer undergraduate research program at Albert Einstein School of Medicine and has extensive undergraduate research assistant experience. Austin is from Pittsburgh, PA and is proficient in Japanese.
Christina Frater
Steinhardt-Goldman Family Scholar; 2023-2024 Precision Medicine Scholar
Christina received a bachelor's degree in psychobiology with a minor in society & genetics from UCLA. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a Crisis Text Line intern and a volunteer with the Little Zebra Fund, an initiative committed to universal access to clinical genetic testing. Christina has most recently lived in San Francisco, CA and has worked as a genetic counseling assistant in the Stanford Neurogenomics Clinic and a clinical research coordinator at the Stanford Neuromuscular Disorders Clinic. She is proficient in French and conversational in Japanese.
Gino Hassani
Gino received a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in society & genetics from UCLA. He was born in the US and grew up in Greece, returning to the US for college and now graduate school. He has most recently lived in West Hollywood, CA and prior to graduate school worked as a Crisis Text Line intern and a summer intern at the Genetic Alliance supporting Disease InfoSearch. During college, he was an undergraduate resident assistant and his hobbies include piano, basketball, horror films, and comic books. Gino is bilingual in English and Greek, and conversational in Persian.
Hector Marin
Hector received a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from New York University. Prior to graduate school, he worked as a Crisis Text Line intern and an undergraduate research assistant. As well, Hector has worked as a classroom instructor for Kumon and a behavioral technician with Ascend Autism. He is from New Rochelle, NY and enjoys giving back to his community. Hector has served as a volunteer Spanish interpreter with the New York City Free Clinic and an intern with Clínica Castilla. His hobbies include reading and hiking. Hector is bilingual in English and Spanish, and conversational in French.
Liv Palma
Liv received a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in math from Lafayette University. During college, she studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. She has worked as a Crisis Text Line intern, a caregiver with Amazing Adventures, and a volunteer with Best Buddies. Liv has also volunteered with Athletes CARE and the Third Street Alliance for Women and Children. She has most recently been living in New York City and prior to graduate school worked as an associate researcher at Mt. Sinai studying antibody-mediated rejection after cold ischemic graft surgery. Liv is conversational in French.
Julie Pfeffer
Julie received a bachelor's degree in genetics with a certificate in genetic counseling from Rutgers University. During college, she served as an undergraduate resident assistant and has worked as a Caring Contact Crisis Line volunteer. Prior to graduate school, worked as a student intern at TIC Genetics, focused on Tourette syndrome, OCD, ADHD, and other related conditions. She has also worked as a NJ poll worker, a peer mentor, a dance teacher, and as part of her college’s social media team. Julie is from Mount Sinai, NY and her hobbies include dance and piano. She is proficient in Spanish.
Amrita Sivia
Diversity Scholar
Amrita received a bachelor's degree in genetics & genomics from UC Davis. During college, she was a member of the women’s volleyball club and studied abroad in Greece. Amrita also served as an undergraduate research assistant, a peer learning assistant, and a peer mentor. She is from San Jose, CA and has experience as a counselor with Exhale Pro-Voice, providing support around post-abortion experiences. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, skiing, and playing board games. Amrita is proficient in Spanish and conversational in Punjabi.