Research Project
Each student is required to complete a research project on a topic of their choice related to an aspect of genetic counseling. Students are introduced to the research project in the Fall and Winter semesters of their first year in the Research Project Seminar Course (MGG 7999, section 003, Fall Y1) and a Research Project Boot Camp (Winter Y1). Through these activities students learn about the research process including developing a research question, conducting a comprehensive literature review, developing a research protocol, study design, research methods, creating study instruments, conducting human subjects research, statistical methods, data cleaning and analysis, and professional writing. The project is self-directed but with strong support from an advisor and mentors. Most projects involve formulating and answering a research question and/or testing a hypothesis.
Examples of student projects might include the following: data collection followed by analysis and interpretation to answer an original research question; a report on a small series of cases which illustrates a novel concept or answers a specific question; the evaluation of an innovative educational tool, screening tool, or counseling strategy; analysis and interpretation of data from an existing research project or database to answer a new question; or a systematic review of the literature with or without a meta-analysis.
Students present their research findings as part of the Medical Genetics Grand Rounds series in the final semester of study. It is also expected that students will submit an abstract of their research project to a national meeting (e.g., NSGC, ASHG, ACMG) and submit a manuscript for publication, when appropriate. The research project falls under the University’s Plan B for Master’s students (modified).
Highlighted Publications
Recent Plan B Project Titles
| Student Name | Year | Plan B Project Title | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maheen Arshad | 2022 | Medical students’ knowledge and clinical comfort with medical genetics in Pakistan | |
| Emma Blanche | 2022 | Practices and attitudes of genetic counsellors for the dissemination of research and the return of aggregate research results to study participants | |
| Morgan Devlin | 2022 | A qualitative investigation of coping strategies utilized by genetic counseling students to manage stresses related to graduate school | |
| Madeline Fugate | 2022 | Exome sequencing for prenatal diagnosis of fetal ultrasound anomalies: A systematic review | |
| Casey Kailing | 2022 | Admitted genetic counseling students’ experiences with applying more than once to genetic counseling programs | |
| Brooke Mainville | 2022 | An evaluation of the impact of genetic counseling on adherence to the 2011 AAP Health Supervision Guidelines for Children with Down syndrome | |
| Angelina Sdao | 2022 | The impact of health literacy in understanding and perception of variant reclassification | |
| Katie Townsend | 2022 | Investigating the impact of patient empowerment on familial disclosure of hereditary cancer test results at Beaumont Health | |
| Ashley Cosenza | 2021 | Use of alternative service delivery models for cancer genetic counseling in Michigan | |
| Alexis Gallant | 2021 | Graduate Project Research Title: Identifying potential genetic counseling program applicant competencies | |
| Nicholas Janowski | 2021 | Implementing telegenetics services: One hospital’s experience | |
| Andrea Kiss | 2021 | Theories behind genetic results disclosure from probands to family members: A systematic review | |
| Sarah Muir | 2021 | Characterization of variant reclassification and patient re-contact in a cancer genetics clinic | |
| Nick Serocki | 2021 | The impact of neurogenic testing and genetic counseling | |
| Gillian Spitzley | 2021 | The supportive care needs of parents following diagnosis of late-onset Pompe disease through newborn screening | |
| Ted Tabor | 2021 | The role of Michigan local health departments in assessing and referring individuals at risk of hereditary cancer syndromes | |
| Lauren DeMeyer | 2020 | Exploring hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome from the parent perspective | |
| Taylor Hayes | 2020 | Investigating factors that influence genetic counselors’ decisions to refer patients to mental health providers | |
| Hafsah Jamil | 2020 | The public's perception of prenatal diagnostic testing: A qualitative analysis of posts on internet forums | |
| Nicole Lester | 2020 | A time-analysis study on genetic counselors and genetic counseling assistants | |
| Gabrielle Pomorski | 2020 | Navigating the competitive landscape of genetic counseling program admission: A qualitative study | |
| Siddika Venkatachalam | 2020 | A time-analysis study on genetic counselors and genetic counseling assistants | |
| Natalie Vriesen | 2020 | Clinical outcomes of preimplantation genetic testing for hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes: A systematic review | |
| Kristian Wilks | 2020 | Predictors of genetic testing disclosures and cascade screening among family members in a cancer setting: A literature review |
Contact Information
Genetic Counseling Graduate Program
Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics
Wayne State University School of Medicine
3127 Scott Hall
540 E. Canfield Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
Administrative Office:
(313) 577-6298
Fax: (313) 577-9137
Email: geneticcounseling@med.wayne.edu