Current Students

Lujain Alaali

Advisor: Colleen Jackson-Cook, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. Genetics and Cell Biology, Washington State University, 2017;
M.S. Biotechnology/Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Technology, Johns Hopkins University, 2020

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Julia Altman

Advisor: J. Chuck Harrell, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, 2021

Year Entered: 2021

Victoria Ashton

Advisor: Colleen Jackson-Cook, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, University of Mary Washington, 2023

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Jessica Bell

Advisor: Not Assigned

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Neuroscience and Biology, Dickinson College, 2018

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Thomas Campbell

Advisor: Karolina Aberg, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, 2019; B.S. in Physics, St. John's University, 2016

Year Entered: Fall 2021

Jordan Chow

Advisor: Not Assigned

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Genetics, Minor in Psychology, Auburn University, 2024

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Saeed Farajzadeh Valilou

Advisor: Brien Riley, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology-Animal Sciences, University of Tabriz, 2015;
M.S. in Human Genetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, 2018

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Ailen Garcia-Santillan

Advisor: Paula Bos, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biotechnology, Minor in Statistics, James Madison University, 2018

Year Entered: Fall 2021

Alison Gaynor

Advisor: Nicholas Johnson, M.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Public Health Science, University of Maryland, 2018

Year Entered: Fall 2020

Julia Hartman

Advisor: Nicholas Johnson, M.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 2019

Year Entered: Fall 2021 to MD/PhD program; Fall 2023 to HMG PhD Program

Nayyerehalsadat Hosseini

Advisor: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: M.S. in Genetics, Islamic Azade University, Mashhad Branch, 2018

Year Entered: Fall 2021

Ting-Xuan Lu

Advisor: Azeddine Atfi, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences, National Taiwan University, 2010;
M.S. in Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, 2016

Year Entered: Fall 2020

Natalie Luffman

Advisor: Hisashi Harada, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, College of William & Mary, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Alexandra Marrero Quiñones

Advisor: Nicholas Johnson, M.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013

Year Entered: Fall 2020

Mullins, Lanie

Advisor: Not Assigned

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. Cell and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, 2021; M.S.P.H. Genomics, University of South Florida, 2024

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Badí Quinteros E.

Advisor: Not Assigned

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B. S. in Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology and B.S. in Bioinformatics, Brigham Young University, 2024

Year Entered: 2024

Walker Rogers

Advisor: Michael Miles, M.D., Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Columbus State University, 2016

Year Entered: Fall 2020

Shanwei Shen

Advisor: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: M.B. in Medicine, Wuhan University, 2006; M.S. in Molecular Medicine, Fudan University, 2009

Year Entered: Fall 2020

Madhurbain Singh

Advisor: Mike Neale, Ph.D. and Roseann Peterson, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, 2013; Master of International Social and Health Policy, Oslo Metropolitan University, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2021

Ian Sisto

Advisor: Not Assigned

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Molecular & Cellular Biology, with a minor in Russian Language, Stetson University, 2023; Post Bachelors research in the PREP program, University of South Carolina

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Zachary Tatom

Advisor: Michael Miles, M.D., Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Microbiology & Public Health, Auburn University Montgomery, 2014

Year Entered: Fall 2019

Philip Vinh

Advisor: Michael Neale, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. Chemistry and B.S. Biology, University of Connecticut, 2020

Year Entered: Fall 2020

Carson Walker

Advisor: J. Chuck Harrell, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology, Brigham Young University, 2020

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Madison Ward

Advisor: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.A. in Biology and Spanish, Randolph-Macon, 2018; M.S. in Biology, James Madison University, 2020

Year Entered: Fall 2020

Pranjal Amin

Advisor: Not Assigned

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Genetics, 2020, M.S. in Molecular Medicine, 2023

Entry: Fall 2024

Mahshid Arastonejad

Advisor: Hamid I. Akbarali, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: MEng in Electronic and Communication Engineering, University of Birmingham, 2010

Year Entered: Spring 2022

Gillian Fanning

Advisor: Scott A. Turner, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

B.S. in Bioinformatics: Genomics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2023

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Jensen Goulette

Advisor: Not Assigned

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry and Sociology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2023; Graduate Certificate in Clinical Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2024

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Emile Kachouh

Advisor: Zheng Fu, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Education, American University Beirut, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Allison Molen

Advisor: Not Assigned

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biochemistry, Minor in Chemistry, Minor in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, 2016

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Bria Pierre

Advisor: Christopher D. Green, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Bioinformatics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2023

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Stephen Vieno

Advisor: Brien P. Riley, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: Bachelor of Medicine (MB) of Surgery (BCh) and of Obstetrics (BAO), University of Galway, School of Medicine, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Nichole Alley

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

B.S. in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences, University of Connecticut, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Journey Bly

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.A. in Anthropology, Minor in Integrative Human Biology, University of Utah, 2019

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Holly Byers

Advisor: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Minor in Psychology, Virginia Tech, 2014; M.A. in Science Education, Duke University, 2015;

Year Entered: Fall 2019

Elaine Conrad

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: M.S. in Clinical Research Management, Wake Forest University 2022;
B.S. in Biochemistry, B.A. in Chemistry, Minor in Music, Salem College, 2020

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Maya Derhake

Advisor: Lisa Shah, Ph.D., R.N.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biochemistry, Minor in Spanish, University of Missouri, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Margaret Fergusson

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.A. in Biology, Minor in French, University of Virginia, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Elizabeth Gage

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, James Madison University, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Rachel Hendricks

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S in Biology, Minor in Data Science, Davidson College, 2021

Year Entered: 2023

Sage Hooten

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Genetics, minor in Spanish, University of Georgia, 2020

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Shelby May

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Neuroscience, West Virginia University, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Gufran Mohed

Advisor: Lisa Shah, Ph.D., R.N.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences and B.S. in Psychology, Virginia Tech, 2019

Year entered: Fall 2023

Hope Wolf

Advisor: Timothy York, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry Track, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2014

Year Entered: Fall 2017

Katie Bushing

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, B.A. in Public Health, Hollins University, 2022

Year Entered: 2024

LeeAnn Dempsey

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology and Health Studies, University of Richmond, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Keith Dickerson

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: A.S. in Science, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, 2018; B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2020; Graduate Certificate in Clinical Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2023

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Morgan Klein

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Minor in Science Communication, The University of Texas at Austin, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Alyssa Knudson

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.A. in Biology and Molecular Biology, Coe College, 2019

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Shelby Millar Flores

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S.A. in Biology, Minor in History, University of Texas at Austin, 2020

Year entered: 2024

Yesenia Pineda Reyes

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Genetics, Minor in Psychology, North Carolina State University, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Katie Tanner

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.A. in Biology, Randolph-Macon College, 2021

Year entered: 2024

Alanna Varca Gentile

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. Psychology, Minor in Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2021; Certificate in Clinical Genetics, VCU, 2024

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Sophia Viola

Advisor: Tahnee Causey, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Genetics and Biochemistry, Michigan State University, 2019; M.P.H. in Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 2022

Year Entered: 2024

Josie Buhrow

Advisor: Heather Creswick, M.S. C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Health Sciences with a concentration in Pre-Physician Assistant Studies, James Madison University, 2021

Year entered: Fall 2024

Annemarie Dickens

Advisor: Heather Creswick, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Chemistry, Virginia State University, 2023

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Ayden Heitmann

Advisor: Heather Creswick, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Minor in Chemistry and Exercise Science, Lyon College, 2024

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Luke Howard

Advisor: Heather Creswick, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Genetics, Minor in Statistics, University of Georgia, 2023

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Hannah Marcin

Advisor: Heather Creswick, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: BA in Biology, Minors in Psychology and Chinese Language, Wittenberg University, 2024

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Amanda Murphy

Advisor: Heather Creswick, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Psychology, Old Dominion University, 2024

Year entered: Fall 2024

Evan Niehoff

Advisor: Heather Creswick, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) with a concentration in Applied Biotechnology, James Madison University, 2024

Year Entered: Fall 2024

Alexzane Taylor

Advisor: Heather Creswick, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: A.S. in General Studies with a Science Specialization, John Tyler Community College (Brightpoint Community College), 2018; B.S. in Biology, Minors in Psychology & Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2022