Our Class of 2026 MGC students were busy over the summer and into early fall with research presentations and other professional development activities. Here’s a round-up of some of their travels, in their own words.
Grace Branger presented a research poster and gave a talk at the OCNDS Family and Researcher Conference in Denver in July.
According to Grace, “This conference brought together around 45 researchers and 25 families from around the world, all coming together to collaborate and learn more about OCNDS, a rare neurodevelopmental condition diagnosed in just over 300 people worldwide. Through presenting both a poster and a presentation on my thesis project at this conference, I was able to collaborate with world experts, connect with affected families, and was inspired by the strength and tenacity of the rare disease community. At this conference, I learned how the research I am doing for my thesis is connected to a greater network of research across the globe. In addition, I was honored to learn from families and hear more of their stories as I continue to work on the Disease Concept Model for OCNDS.”
Elise Abney attended the 4-day Myriad Summer Internship in Salt Lake City in July. “ At Myriad, I had the opportunity to shadow Genetic Counselors in the Medical Services department at Myriad, hear from GCs in multiple departments, and discuss some of the primary topics at the forefront of hereditary cancer and prenatal genetics,” Elise said. “This experience helped me explore what positions I would be interested in once I graduate. Additionally, I gained a deeper understanding of the testing process that large companies like Myriad utilize. I attended numerous presentations on lab procedure and received a tour of the laboratory facilities on site where samples are processed.”
Hailey Connell attended the Unknown Causes of Kindey Disease Summit hosted by The American Kidney Fund (AKF) in Washington, DC, on Sept. 12. “I am working with AKF for my thesis and am aiming to understand the current utilization of genetic testing in kidney disease patients to identify any potential barriers that may exist.” Hailey said. “I was able to hear panels and talks from patients, health professionals, and advocates that work hard to improve the care of kidney disease patients everyday. The summit provided me with great insight into the impact of kidney disease on those it effects, giving context and meaning to my thesis project. I learned what is being done and what still needs to be done in legal and medical settings to improve access to vital healthcare services, like genetic testing, for individuals with kidney disease. The UCKD Summit provided me with an opportunity to discuss, collaborate, and most importantly, listen to people who live with kidney disease and professionals who are working in this space.”