Ph.D. Students

Lujain Alaali

Lujain Alaali

Advisor: Roxann Roberson-Nay, Ph.D.

Lujain Alaali

Lujain Alaali

Advisor: Roxann Roberson-Nay, 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

Julia Altman

Advisor: J. Chuck Harrell, Ph.D.

Julia Altman

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

Victoria Ashton

Advisor: Roxann Roberson-Nay, Ph.D.

Victoria Ashton

Victoria Ashton

Advisor: Roxann Roberson-Nay, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

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

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Holly Byers

Holly Byers

Advisor: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.

Holly Byers

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

Thomas Campbell

Thomas Campbell

Advisor: Karolina Aberg, Ph.D.

Thomas Campbell

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

Saeed Farajzadeh Valilou

Saeed Farajzadeh Valilou

Advisor: Brien Riley, Ph.D.

Saeed Farajzadeh Valilou

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

Ailen Garcia-Santillan

Advisor: Paula Bos, Ph.D.

Ailen Garcia-Santillan

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

Alison Gaynor

Advisor: Nicholas Johnson, M.D.

Alison Gaynor

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

Julia Hartman

Advisor: Nicholas Johnson, M.D.

Julia Hartman

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

Nayyerehalsadat Hosseini

Advisor: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.

Nayyerehalsadat Hosseini

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

Ting-Xuan Lu

Advisor: Azeddine Atfi, Ph.D.

Ting-Xuan Lu

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

Natalie Luffman

Advisor: Hisashi Harada, Ph.D.

Natalie Luffman

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

Alexandra Marrero Quiñones

Advisor: Nicholas Johnson, M.D.

Alexandra Marrero Quiñones

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

Lauren May

Lauren May

Advisor: Joseph W. Landry, Ph.D.

Lauren May

Lauren May

Advisor: Joseph W. Landry, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Molecular Biology, Lipscomb University, 2018

Year Entered: Fall 2019

Walker Rogers

Walker Rogers

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

Walker Rogers

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

Shanwei Shen

Advisor: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.

Shanwei Shen

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

Madhurbain Singh

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

Madhurbain Singh

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

Zachary Tatom

Zachary Tatom

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

Zachary Tatom

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

Philip Vinh

Advisor: Michael Neale, Ph.D.

Philip Vinh

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

Carson Walker

Advisor: J. Chuck Harrell, Ph.D.

Carson Walker

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

Madison Ward

Advisor: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.

Madison Ward

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

Hope Wolf

Hope Wolf

Advisor: Timothy York, Ph.D.

Hope Wolf

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

M.S. in Human Genetics Students

Mahshid Arastonejad

Mahshid Arastonejad

Advisor: Hamid I. Akbarali, Ph.D.

Mahshid Arastonejad

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

Gillian Fanning

Advisor: Timothy York, Ph.D.

Gillian Fanning

Gillian Fanning

Advisor: Timothy York, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

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

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Emile Kachouh

Emile Kachouh

Advisor: Zheng Fu, Ph.D.

Emile Kachouh

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

Bria Pierre

Bria Pierre

Advisor: Timothy York, Ph.D.

Bria Pierre

Bria Pierre

Advisor: Timothy York, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

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

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Marina Provenzano

Marina Provenzano

Advisor: Nicholas Johnson, M.D.

Marina Provenzano

Marina Provenzano

Advisor: Nicholas Johnson, M.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2014

Year Entered: Fall 2021

Alissa Saverino

Alissa Saverino

Advisor: Devanand Sarkar, Ph.D.

Alissa Saverino

Alissa Saverino

Advisor: Devanand Sarkar, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Salisbury University, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Mimansha Shah

Mimansha Shah

Advisor: Devanand Sarkar, Ph.D.

Mimansha Shah

Mimansha Shah

Advisor: Devanand Sarkar, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Stephen Vieno

Stephen Vieno

Advisor: Roxann Roberson-Nay, Ph.D.

Stephen Vieno

Stephen Vieno

Advisor: Roxann Roberson-Nay, 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

M.S. in Genetic Counseling

Second-Year Students

Sarah Alban

Sarah Alban

Advisor: Colleen Jackson-Cook, Ph.D.

Sarah Alban

Sarah Alban

Advisor: Colleen Jackson-Cook, Ph.D.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

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

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Helen Anderson

Helen Anderson

Advisor: John M. Quillin, Ph.D., C.G.C.

Helen Anderson

Helen Anderson

Advisor: John M. Quillin, Ph.D., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Cell & Molecular Biology, Honors College Graduate, Western Washington University, 2019

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Molly Felix

Molly Felix

Advisor: Tahnee Causey

Molly Felix

Molly Felix

Advisor: Tahnee Causey

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Boise State University, 2020;
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Tess Murphy

Tess Murphy

Advisor: Berkley Nestler, M.S., L.C.G.C.

Tess Murphy

Tess Murphy

Advisor: Berkley Nestler, M.S., L.C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Minor in Psychology, Northeastern University, 2018

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Kendall Rodier

Kendall Rodier

Advisor: Scott A. Turner, Ph.D., F.A.C.M.

Kendall Rodier

Kendall Rodier

Advisor: Scott A. Turner, Ph.D., F.A.C.M.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences with Honors; Psychology Minor, Stevenson University, 2019;
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Rachel Schaff

Rachel Schaff

Advisor: Jordan Snajczuk, M.S., L.C.G.C.

Rachel Schaff

Rachel Schaff

Advisor: Jordan Snajczuk, M.S., L.C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biochemistry, B.A. in Philosophy, Rockhurst University, 2017

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Laura Schuetz

Laura Schuetz

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

Laura Schuetz

Laura Schuetz

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S in Neuroscience, Minor in Bioethics, Michigan State University, 2019

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith

Advisor: Chelsea Chambers, M.S., C.G.C.

Ashley Smith

Ashley Smith

Advisor: Chelsea Chambers, M.S., C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Jordana Weiss

Jordana Weiss

Advisor: Elizabeth Monast, M.S., L.C.G.C.

Jordana Weiss

Jordana Weiss

Advisor: Elizabeth Monast, M.S., L.C.G.C.

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: MBA from Georgetown University, 2012; B.S. in Commerce, University of Virginia, 2006

Year Entered: Fall 2022

Courtlyn Witte

Courtlyn Witte

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

Courtlyn Witte

Courtlyn Witte

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, Minors in Psychology and Genetic Counseling, University of Delaware, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2022

M.S. in Genetic Counseling

First-Year Students

Nichole Alley

Nichole Alley

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

Nichole Alley

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

Journey Bly

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

Journey Bly

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

Elaine Conrad

Elaine Conrad

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

Elaine Conrad

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

Maya Derhake

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

Maya Derhake

Maya Derhake

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

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

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Margaret Fergusson

Margaret Fergusson

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

Margaret Fergusson

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

Elizabeth Gage

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

Elizabeth Gage

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

Rachel Hendricks

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

Rachel Hendricks

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

Sage Hooten

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

Sage Hooten

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

Shelby May

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

Shelby May

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

Gufran Mohed

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

Gufran Mohed

Gufran Mohed

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

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

Year entered: Fall 2023

Certificate in Clinical Genetics Students

Delaney Berthault

Delaney Berthault

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

Delaney Berthault

Delaney Berthault

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2023

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Sydney Dudley

Sydney Dudley

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

Sydney Dudley

Sydney Dudley

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S in Biological Sciences, Minor in Spanish, Virginia Tech, 2022

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Jensen Goulette

Jensen Goulette

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

Jensen Goulette

Jensen Goulette

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

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

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Morgan Talbert

Morgan Talbert

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

Morgan Talbert

Morgan Talbert

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biological Sciences, Minor in Spanish, Virginia Tech, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Alexzane Taylor

Alexzane Taylor

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

Alexzane Taylor

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

Alanna Varca Gentile

Alanna Varca Gentile

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

Alanna Varca Gentile

Alanna Varca Gentile

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. Psychology, Minor in Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2021

Year Entered: Fall 2023

Bailey Willoughby

Bailey Willoughby

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

Bailey Willoughby

Bailey Willoughby

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

Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Education: B.S. in Biology, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, 2019

Year Entered: Fall 2023