Faculty
Carli Andrews, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: Cardiogenetics
Carli is originally from Maryland and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics and provides both inpatient and outpatient care for children with rare disease and their families. Carli is passionate about improving care for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities through multidisciplinary teams, and her research interests include adolescent perceptions of consumer-driven (direct-to-consumer) genetic testing.
Kwame Anyane-Yeboa, MD
Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics
Dr. Yeboa has dedicated his career to the care of children and adults with genetic disorders, as well as pregnant women with concerns about the health of their children. He graduated from the University of Ghana Medical school in Accra, Ghana, and completed his pediatric residency training at Harlem Hospital. He went on to complete fellowship training in clinical genetics at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and is an ABMGG board-certified geneticist. Dr. Yeboa's major expertise is in elucidating the underlying molecular basis for complex, and very often rare, genetic disorders.
Sara Berger, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Course Facilitator: Clinical Encounters
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Sara completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics and her clinical work focuses on genetic disorders of childhood. Sara is the lead coordinator of the Variant Reinterpretation Stakeholder Study (VRiSS), developing recommendations and policies about issues surrounding genetic variant reclassification.
Sriya Bhattacharyya, PhD
Instructor in Clinical Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry
Course Director: Foundations of Counseling Skills
Dr. Bhattacharyya is a psychologist working at the intersection of social transformation and creative healing, she works extensively with racially and socially marginalized groups. Dr. Bhattacharyya completed her PhD and MA in Counseling Psychology at Boston College, alongside a certificate in Human Rights and International Justice from Boston College and an Apprenticeship in College Teaching. She holds a certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute. Her current research focuses on Muslim activists’ liberation, asylum advocates experiences, Asian American mental health and mobilization, art-based methods, and frontline worker emotional support during COVID19. She is deeply guided by anti-oppression, community collaboration, creative healing, and social liberation in all of her work.
Louise Bier, MS, CGC
Assistant Professor of Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Course Director: Precision Medicine for Genetic Counselors
Louise is originally from Wisconsin and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor and the Director of Genetic Counseling and Clinical Engagement at the Institute for Genomic Medicine. Louise supervises the implementation of a variety of genomic research protocols, including the New York City Consortium for Precision Medicine, which is part of the NIH All of Us Research Program. She also serves on Columbia’s Genomics Institutional Review Board, which oversees ethical implementation of all genetic testing research across the university.
Kelsie Bogyo, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology and Medicine
Course Facilitator: Clinical Encounters
Fieldwork Supervisor: Nephrogenetics, Laboratory Genetic Counseling
Curriculum Committee
Kelsie is originally from California and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor and provides both clinical and research services for the Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics, which aims to integrate precision medicine into medical care for adult constitutional disorders. Kelsie is a member of the Interdepartmental Genetic Counseling Program, bridging the Department of Medicine and the Precision Genomics Laboratory.
Charlotte Close, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Charlotte is originally from Illinois and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics. Charlotte’s graduate research focused on genetic counselors’ attitudes towards cystic fibrosis therapeutics and she continues to be interested in cystic fibrosis care.
Daniela Diaz Caro
Research Assistant, Department of Neurology
Daniela is originally from Trujillo, Peru and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Stanford University. She is a research assistant with the Información de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer de Latinos (IDEAL) study, investigating the impact of APOE genetic testing in Latinx communities of Northern Manhattan. Daniela is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Michele Disco, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology and Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics, Laboratory Genetic Counseling
Michele is originally from New Hampshire and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor with expertise in inherited disorders of childhood, specifically dermatologic and craniofacial genetics. Michele is a member of the Interdepartmental Genetic Counseling Program, bridging inpatient consultation and the Precision Genomics Laboratory. She is currently a member of the Community Outreach Committee of the New York State Genetics Task Force.
Taylor Durant, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fieldwork Supervisor: Reproductive Genetics, Laboratory Genetic Counseling
Taylor is originally from Alabama and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Boston University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor and provides care for women and their partners in the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics. Her graduate research focused on chaotic non-invasive prenatal screening results suggestive of maternal malignancy, and she has subsequently become interested in the complexities of the intersection of subspecialties within genetic counseling. Taylor is a member of the Interdepartmental Genetic Counseling Program, bridging the Department of OB/GYN and the Precision Genomics Laboratory.
Kris Engelstad, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Neurology
Fieldwork Supervisor: Neurogenetics
Kris completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor involved in several areas of research, including natural history studies, clinical trials, a patient contact registry, and biobank for people with mitochondrial disorders. Kris aims to educate individuals and families about disease-specific genetic issues so they can make informed choices about genetic testing and family planning.
Tamar Forman, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Tamar completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Long Island University Post. She is an ABGC-board certified genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics and works with children and adults who have inherited disorders.
Katie Foudy, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Fieldwork Supervisor: Cancer Genetics
Katie is originally from New Jersey and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and works with adults living with or at risk for familial cancer syndromes. Her research interests include utilization of whole exome sequencing to provide more precise diagnoses for individuals and families.
Stephanie Galloway, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fieldwork Supervisor: Reproductive Genetics
Stephanie is originally from South Carolina and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the University of South Carolina. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor and provides care for women and their partners in the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics. Stephanie also serves as a research coordinator in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine.
Alexa Geltzeiler, MSc, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Alexa completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Johns Hopkins University/NHGRI. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Molecular Genetics and her clinical work is focused on rare genetic disease in childhood. Alexa also serves as a research coordinator for Simons Searchlight, working with scientists and families to find genetic answers to autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
Jessica Giordano, MS, CGC
Assistant Professor of Genetic Counseling, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Course Director: The Human Body: Structure and Function 1 and 2
Course Facilitator: Process Group
Jessica is originally from New York and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College with a research focus in public health genomics and newborn screening. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor managing multiple research projects in reproductive genetics, including utilizing exome/genome sequencing for structurally abnormal fetuses with the goal of communicating results to families that can impact their clinical management and reproductive decision-making.
Jill Goldman, MS, MPhil, CGC
Professor of Genetic Counseling, Department of Neurology
Course Director: Clinical Ethics for Genetic Counselors
Fieldwork Supervisor: Neurogenetics
Curriculum Committee, Advisory Board
Jill completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the University of California Berkeley. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor at The Taub Institute at Columbia where she specializes in hereditary neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Jill created and coordinates “A Friend for Rachel," a companionship program in which people with early to moderate dementia are paired with Columbia students.
Edwin Guzman, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Edwin completed his genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. He is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics, specializing in genetic disorders of childhood and craniofacial disorders. Edwin is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Nina Harkavy, MSc, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Course Director: Clinical Encounters
Fieldwork Supervisor: Reproductive Genetics
Nina completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Johns Hopkins University/NHGRI. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine. Nina specializes in both preconception/ART and prenatal reproductive genetics. She is conversant in French and Spanish.
Elizabeth Harrington, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Neurology
Course Director: Biochemical Genetics
Fieldwork Supervisor: Neurogenetics
Curriculum Committee
Elizabeth completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Stanford University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor working with adults living with neurologic disorders. Elizabeth worked previously as a biochemical genetics research fellow at the National Institutes of Health, her current clinical and research focus is motor neuron diseases.
Rebecca Hernan, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Course Director: Foundations of Huuman Genetics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Curriculum Committee
Rebecca completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor working with children and families impacted by genetic disease. Rebecca is a research coordinator for the Diaphragmatic Hernia Research & Exploration: Advancing of Molecular Science study (DHREAMS).
Kimberly Hilfrank, MS, MPH, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Fieldwork Supervisor: Cancer Genetics
Kimberly is originally from Massachusetts and completed both a masters in public health and her genetic counseling graduate education at the University of Michigan. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases and works with adults living with or at risk for familial cancer syndromes. Kimberly is interested in increasing access to genetic medicine for all communities.
Alejandro Iglesias, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics
Dr. Iglesias is a clinical and biochemical geneticist primarily interested in inherited metabolic disorders and neurogenetics and dysmorphology. He is an ABMGG board-certified geneticist. In his role as Director of the Inherited Metabolic Program he is deeply involved in all aspects related with the diagnosis, management and overall care of patients and families with these disorders. Dr. Iglesias has been actively involved in all developments asscoiated with newborn screening for Krabbe disease and Pompe disease. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Isha Kalia, MS, MPH, CGC
Instructor in Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Fieldwork Supervisor: Cardiogenetics
Isha completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College and received a master's in public health from the University of Southern California. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor who works with adults and families who have inherited cardiovascular disorders. Isha is engaged in cardiovascular precision medicine research within the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Catherine Kentros, MSc, CCGC
Genetic Counselor, Department of Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Catherine is originally from Canada and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the University of Montreal. She is a CBGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Molecular Genetics. Catherine serves as a research coordinator for the Simons Searchlight study and her areas of research interest include neurodevelopmental disorders and pediatrics. She speaks English, French, Greek, and Spanish.
Carrie Koval-Burt, MS, CGC
Assistant Professor of Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Fieldwork Supervisor: Cancer Genetics
Carrie completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Northwestern University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. She provides cancer risk evaluation, genetic counseling, and risk-reduction education for individuals who have cancer or are concerned about their risks of developing cancer. Carrie works with underserved communities and her research interests include newborn screening pilot programs. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Tina Kushary, MMSc, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Course Director: Professional Formation
Tina is from New Jersey and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Emory University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Institute for Genomic Medicine where she enrolls families into whole exome sequencing research studies, aids in the interpretation of genomic data, and collaborates with healthcare providers to explain the results and implications of research genomic testing. Tina is a current co-chair of the Columbia/NYP Genetic Counselor Consortium. She is trilingual in English, Bengali, and Hindi.
Brynn Levy, MSc (Med), PhD
Professor of Pathology & Cell Biology
Course Facilitator: Lab Weeks
Advisory Board
Originally from South Africa and trained as a genetic counselor, Dr. Levy is Medical Director of the Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory at New York Presbyterian Hospital and a Co-Director of the Division of Personalized Genomics in the Department of Pathology & Cell Biology. He is an ABMGG board-certified geneticist. He is an international expert in the clinical utility of genomic technologies in reproductive medicine. His research includes early prenatal screening using fetal cells and cell-free fetal DNA, PGD, and the etiology of recurrent miscarriage.
Natalie Lippa, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Course Director: Translational Genomics
Curriculum Committee
Natalie is originally from Toronto, Canada, and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She has experience with lysosomal storage disease clinical research. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Institute for Genomic Medicine, where she serves as the lead genetic counselor overseeing whole exome sequencing research studies with a focus on the genetics of epilepsy and other neurological conditions.
Halie May, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Halie is originally from New Jersey and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Institute for Genomic Medicine, where she recruits research subjects for participation in genomic sequencing studies, curates variants based on genomic data, and collaborates with other providers to interpret and explain results of research genetic testing. Halie is currently Chair of the Public Policy Committee for the New York State Genetics Task Force and is leading efforts in New York State to achieve licensure for genetic counselors.
Lakshmi Mehta, MD, FACMG
Associate in Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics
Dr. Mehta is an ABMGG board-certified geneticist in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics. Her areas of expertise include clinical genetics and genomics.
Maureen Mulhern, MS, MAT, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology and Neurology
Course Director: Neurogenetics
Fieldwork Supervisor: Neurogenetics, Laboratory Genetic Counseling
Curriculum Committee
Maureen is originally from New Jersey and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She has previous experience working as a research genetic counselor at the Institute for Genomic Medicine, as well as a middle and high school science teacher. Maureen is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor and part of the Interdepartmental Genetic Counseling Program at Columbia, bridging the gap between the neurology clinics and the Precision Genomics Laboratory. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Elaine Pereira, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics
Dr. Pereira completed her MD at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and her residency at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore. She is an ABMGG board-certified geneticist. Her areas of clinical interest include congenital heart disease, collagenopathies, congenital hearing loss, and dysmorphology. Dr. Pereira is active in medical education.
Aisha Rekab, MSc, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Aisha is originally from Vancouver, Canada. She completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College and received a master’s in pathology and molecular medicine with a focus in cancer genetics from Queen’s University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics. Aisha’s graduate research focused on the implementation of telegenetics during the COVID-19 pandemic and she continues to be interested in increasing access to genetic services for all communities. She is proficient in French.
Anya Revah Politi, MS, CGC
Assistant Professor of Genetic Counseling, Department of Pathology & Cell Biology
Fieldwork Supervisor: Laboratory Genetic Counseling
Curriculum Committee
Anya is originally from Mexico City and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Boston University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Institute for Genomic Medicine and the Precision Genomics Laboratory. Anya has clinical experience in pediatric genetics and is the lead research genetic counselor for DiagSeq, a diagnostic whole exome sequencing study. She is currently a member of the Nominating Committee of the New York State Genetics Task Force. Anya is trilingual in English, Spanish, and French.
Sophia Rodriguez, MS, CGC
Research Genetic Counselor, Department of Neurology
Sophia completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor and lead coordinator for the Información de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer de Latinos (IDEAL) study, investigating the impact of APOE genetic testing in Latinx communities of Northern Manhattan. Sophia has a passion for healthcare advocacy and volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association to support policy changes that help individuals with dementia and their caregivers. She is proficient in Spanish.
Meredith Ross, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Fieldwork Supervisor: General Genetics
Meredith completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Clinical Genetics and the lead genetic counselor for several multidisciplinary clinics, specializing in vascular anomalies and epidermolysis bullosa.
Megan Soucy, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology and Ophthalmology
Fieldwork Supervisor: Ophthalmologic Genetics, Laboratory Genetic Counseling
Megan completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor and part of the Interdepartmental Genetic Counseling Program at Columbia, bridging the Ophthalmology Department and the Precision Genomics Laboratory.
Erica Spiegel, MS, CGC
Assistant Professor of Genetic Counseling, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Course Director: Reproductive Genetics; Reproductive Genetics Internship
Fieldwork Supervisor: Reproductive Genetics
Erica completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine and her work is focused on the integration of emerging technologies into clinical care within the field of reproductive genetics. Erica is passionate about providing high-quality care to women and families in the setting of fetal anomalies and suspected genetic diagnoses. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Leyla Tabanfar, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Fieldwork Supervisor: Cancer Genetics
Leyla is from Canada and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Sarah Lawrence College. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. Leyla provides care in the genetics clinic at Columbia and the cancer genetics clinic at both Lawrence Hospital and Hudson Valley Hospital. She is bilingual in English and Farsi.
Alexandra Tinfow, MS
Genetic Counselor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fieldwork Supervisor: Reproductive Genetics
Alexandra is originally from New Jersey and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Columbia University. She is a genetic counselor in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine and provides care for women and their partners in the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics, as well as suupporting various research studies in reproductive genetics. Alexandra's graduate research focused on the establishment of evidence-based protocols for the post-test evaluation of high-risk and inconclusive non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) results.
Joanna Urli, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Fieldwork Supervisor: Reproductive Genetics, Cancer Genetics
Joanna is originally from New York and completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Boston University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine and provides care for women and their partners in the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics, as well as within the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Program. Joanna's graduate research focused on diversifying the genetic counseling profession, and her clinical interests include increasing access to genetic services. She is currently a member of the Community Outreach Committee of the New York State Genetics Task Force.
Natalie Vena, MS, CGC
Lecturer in Genetic Counseling, Department of Medicine
Fieldwork Supervisor: Nephrogenetics
Natalie completed her genetic counseling graduate education at Boston University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Institute of Genomic Medicine and the Division of Nephrology. Natalie’s clinical focus is the genetics of adult kidney disease and her research interests include the annotation and curation of genetic variants in the setting of Mendelian diseases, as well as the return of genetic/genomic test results to patients.
Alexis Walker, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medical Humanities and Ethics, Division of Ethics
Course Director: ELSI Issues in Human Genomics
Dr. Walker received her doctorate from Cornell University’s Department of Science and Technology Studies, a master’s degree in political sociology and STS from University of Strasbourg (France), and an undergraduate degree in Biology from Brown University. She is an interdisciplinary scholar trained in Science and Technology Studies (STS), political anthropology, organizational studies, and bioethics. Her research has investigated the social dynamics of financial and private sector organizations in health and medicine, the ethics of “precision rationing,” and the politics of patenting biotechnology.
Julia Wynn, MS, MS, CGC
Associate Professor of Genetic Counseling, Department of Pediatrics
Course Director: Foundations of Research 1 and 2
Julia completed her genetic counseling graduate education at the University of Texas and her masters in epidemiology at Columbia University. She is an ABGC board-certified genetic counselor in the Division of Molecular Genetics and her research focus is on the patient/participant experience of diagnostic and predictive genetic testing, as well as alternative methods of genomic education and counseling. Julia was the 2016 winner of the Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship for her research entitled “Examining the Effects of Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) and Utility of Educational Videos to Augment WES Patient Education.”