Genetic Counseling Research Symposium 2025
Welcome
Hosted by the Master of Genetic Counseling degree program at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, the second annual Genetic Counseling Research Symposium will feature talks from guest speakers and presentations from the Vandy MGC class of 2025, the program’s research fellows, and participants in the new Advanced Research Training for Genetic Counselors (ART-GC).
Monday, March 24, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Vanderbilt Student Life Center
Register by March 20, 2025
Featured Speakers
Janina Jeff, PhD
Janina’s bio: Dr. Janina M. Jeff is a highly accomplished scientist specializing in genomics. She is currently serving as a Staff Bioinformatic Scientist at Illumina, a global leader in genomics, where she is applying her vast knowledge and skills to create population specific arrays. She is an alumna of Spelman College and furthered her education at Vanderbilt University, earning a PhD in Human Genetics and a MS in Applied Statistics. Dr. Jeff’s passion for making genetics accessible to the Black community led her to create the podcast ‘In Those Genes’, which is a podcast that uses genetics to decode the lost histories and futures of African descendants. A fierce advocate for diversity in genomics, she consistently works to bridge the gap between underrepresented communities and the field of genetics. With her dynamic approach to science communication and commitment to inclusivity, Dr. Jeff is making significant strides in the field of genomics and beyond.
Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC
Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC (she/her), is a genetic counselor, researcher, and assistant professor at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. She earned her Master’s in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Stanford University School of Medicine and was one of the inaugural research fellows in the GC-FIRST program at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on the intersection of gender-affirming care and cancer genetics, with an emphasis on community-engaged research to improve clinical practices. Kim was awarded the Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship for her work in this area. She also serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Genetic Counseling as a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Integration. In recognition of her contributions to the field, she received the AGCPD Outstanding Clinical Supervisor Award in 2021 and the NSGC Leader in Cultural Advocacy Award in 2022.
Symposium Agenda
Our schedule will be updated in the new year.
Registration
- 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Welcome
Session 1: Student Presentations and Invited Guest Speaker
- Schedule to come
Lunch
Session 2: Student Presentations and Invited Guest Speaker
- Schdule to come
Wrap Up & Reception
About
Support for the symposium is included in grant funding (1R25HG012915) awarded to MGC Director Martha Dudek and VGI Director Nancy Cox, PhD, in 2023 by the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health to establish a research fellowship for genetic counselors that will prepare them to contribute more fully to the advancement of personalized medicine.
Sessions for 2025 will be available for remote attendees. NSGC CEU will be available for in-person attendees.