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
Plan B Project Titles
| Student Name | Year | Plan B Project Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ryleigh Arndt | 2024 | Evaluation of Genetics Referral Patterns for Children with Solid Tumors & Possible Cancer Predisposition Risk |
| Maggie Bowler | 2024 | Implementing Genetic Screening into Primary Care: A Summation of a Precision Health Pilot |
| Sophia Bradley | 2024 | Supporting Medical Examiners’ Roles in Identifying Inherited Cardiac Disease in Cases of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young |
| Christopher Doumith | 2024 | A Pilot Epigenome-Wide Association Study of Large for Gestational Age: Insights from the GROW Study |
| Kristen Ewald | 2024 | Genomic Content in Secondary School Curricula: Reciprocal Engagement with GCs and Educators |
| Allison Hartwick | 2024 | Rapid WGS: How Quickly Are Results Disclosed to Patients and How are EHRs Supporting Workflows? |
| Rebecca Ross | 2024 | Assessing Informed Consent Tools for Hereditary Cancer Genetic Testing |
| Emma Snavely | 2024 | Clinical Impact of Silent Carriers in an Urban Obstetrics & Gynecology Practice |
| Madeline Allen | 2023 | The impact of neurogenetic testing and genetic counseling on parental empowerment |
| Autumn Brown | 2023 | A newly created database to improve the process of variant reclassification for a university-based hospital laboratory |
| Maryam Ijaz | 2023 | Parent-reported genetic counselor adherence to guidelines for giving a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome: Impact on the diagnosis experience |
| Lauren Jimenez | 2023 | Barriers to genetic services among patients with triple-negative breast cancer: a retrospective analysis |
| Asifa Naseer | 2023 | Exploring genetic counselors’ perceptions of chatbots |
| Grace Saunders | 2023 | Identifying potential LGBTQIA+ competencies for genetic counseling student training |
| Ana Stupar | 2023 | Exploring clinical care of patients with germline VUS’s: A Canadian perspective |
| Jacqueline Williams | 2023 | Evaluating patient perspectives of a web-based family history sharing tool for personal or family history of HBOC and Lynch syndrome cancers |
| 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 | Identifying potential genetic counseling program applicant competencies |
| Nick 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 |
| Hafsah Jamil | 2020 | The Public’s Perception of Prenatal Diagnostic Testing: A Qualitative Analysis of Posts on Internet Forums |
| Taylor Hayes | 2020 | Investigating Factors that Influence Genetic Counselors’ Decisions to Refer Patients to Mental Health Providers |
| Nicole Lester | 2020 | A Time Analysis Study of 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 of Genetic Counselors |
| 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 |
| Katherine Augustaitis | 2019 | Assessing Shared Decision-Making During Conversations between Patients and Oncologists Regarding Chemotherapy and OncotypeDX Score |
| Hannah Chung | 2019 | Time to electronic reporting and patient notification of germline genetic test results: one center’s experience |
| Andrea Filthaut | 2019 | Development of a Fact Sheet about Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida |
| Erica MacDonald | 2019 | Examining Utilization of Genetic Services in a Cohort of Latina Woman with a Personal History of Breast Cancer: An Application of the Social Ecological Model |
| Robert (Ty) Prince | 2019 | Parental Decisions to Accept or Decline Prenatal Testing for Down Syndrome: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Perspective |
| Jaclyn Schlang | 2019 | Examining Parental Interpretation of Inconclusive Genetic Results |
| Mallory Wagner | 2019 | Michigan Health Plans and Their Genetic Testing Policies on Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome and Lynch Syndrome: A Longitudinal Study |
| Marissa Younan | 2019 | A content analysis of post-visit written summary communication in genetic counseling |
| Grace Anbouba | 2018 | Characterization of hypodontia, hypohidrosis, and hypotrichosis associated with X-linked HED: A systematic review |
| Sarah Austin | 2018 | Exploring the role of the genetic counselor in cascade screening |
| Alyxandra Gohlke | 2018 | Development of a computer-aided genetics module on screening and testing for fetal chromosome conditions and carrier testing |
| Bailey Hulswit | 2018 | Assessing the needs and desire for cancer genetics education about rural healthcare providers |
| Cassidy Measner | 2018 | Parents’ perceptions of genetic counseling encounters for a diagnosis of Down syndrome |
| Claire Plack | 2018 | Patient satisfaction with access to cancer genetic counseling services |
| Chandler Stimach | 2018 | Genetic counselor interactions with the genetic testing industry: Prevalence, influencing factors, and perceptions |
| Lauren Jackson | 2017 | Teaching medical students how to deliver distressing information: Utility of an educational tool |
| Hannah Krolewski | 2017 | Introducing genetic counseling as a career option: Practices of college professors |
| Katelyn Roberts | 2017 | Factors influencing adherence in adolescents with PKU |
| Travis Washburn | 2017 | Factors influencing interest in gene panel testing in BRCA1/2 negative families |
| Libby Westrate | 2017 | Comparing the quality of Spanish and English genetics resources on the internet |
| Courtney Attard | 2016 | Genetic counselor workflow study: The times are they a-changin’? |
| Mitchell Cunningham | 2016 | Referrals to Mental Health Services:Exploring the Referral Process in Genetic Counseling |
| Cassandra Latoni | 2016 | Evaluating the impact of carrier screening guidelines for ten autosomal recessive conditions on indications for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) |
| Lindsay Lipe | 2016 | Factors influencing admission into genetic counseling programs |
| Rachel McCauley | 2016 | The Role of Genetic Counselors in Education and Communication about Cascade Testing for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes |
| Stefanie Turner | 2016 | Increasing awareness of genetic counseling in high schools: a lesson plan for high school biology teachers |
| Lindsey Blakely | 2015 | Evaluation of an Interactive Educational Tool: HBOC: Is your Patient at High Risk? |
| Morgan Fisher | 2015 | Cancer genetics knowledge and screening behaviors in Orthodox Jewish women with and without a family history of cancer in the greater Detroit area |
| Emily Henson | 2015 | Outcomes of cancer patient-oncologist interactions concerning familial risk of cancer and referral to cancer genetics services |
| Laura Supplee | 2015 | Utilizing state registry data to increase cancer genetic access |
| Emily VandenBoom | 2015 | Assessment of Current Practices in Post-visit Written Patient Communication Amongst Genetic Counselors |
| Melissa Zuteck | 2015 | A review of Michigan health plans for policies pertaining to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome and Lynch syndrome |
| Amanda Bartenbaker | 2014 | Genetic counseling clients' views on religious and spiritual assessment in genetic counseling |
| Kelly Burgess | 2014 | What are the differences between telephone and in person genetic counseling from the genetic counselors' perspective? |
| Sarah Campian | 2014 | Universal screening for Lynch Syndrome: One center’s experience |
| Lisa Gillis | 2014 | Online information seeking behavior of prenatal genetic counseling patients. |
| Ashley Port | 2014 | Jewish Women’s Health Project: Understanding cancer risk and attitudes in the Orthodox Jewish community |
| Mary Schultz | 2014 | Adherence to health supervision guidelines for children with Down syndrome |
| Mitchell Dillon | 2013 | Transitioning patients with neuromuscular disorders from pediatric to adult care |
| Jamie Katusin | 2013 | Metabolic testing in children with developmental delay |
| Gina Robinson- Haase | 2013 | Evaluating the effectiveness of a cancer genetic risk assessment tool to help clinicians identify patients at increased risk of cancer |
| Sienna Wallace | 2013 | Natural history of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease and PLP1-related disorders |
| Sheila Zwiesele | 2013 | Investigation of how parents help their child with PKU cope with feeling different |
| Nicole Hajduk | 2012 | The influence of culture and ethnicity on hereditary breast ovarian cancer genetic testing and counseling uptake |
| Mary Mobley | 2012 | An educational needs assessment of primary care physicians in the genomic era |
| Tessa Paling | 2012 | Behavioral challenges faced by parents of children with cystic fibrosis:A needs assessment for an educational program |
| Ashley Counsell | 2012 | Information preferences regarding informed consent models for genetic carrier screening |
| Renee Tousignant | 2012 | Where are we now?” Genetic testing practices for CMT1A |
| Shirley Yao | 2012 | Clinical comparison of familial and non-familial pediatric epilepsy cases |
| Sommer Hayden | 2011 | Parental attitudes regarding expanding newborn screening to include Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A unique perspective of parents with an affected child |
| Lauren Isley | 2011 | Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: An investigation of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of parents of children with muscular dystrophy |
| Jason Laufman | 2011 | Evaluation of state comprehensive cancer control plans for genetics and genomics content |
| Divya Wilson Mathews | 2011 | Non-chromosomal risks associated with low maternal serum estriol levels during pregnancy |
| Bridget O’Connor | 2011 | Education on fetal alcohol syndrome/fetal alcohol spectrum disorders provided at women’s publically funded treatment centers in the state of Michigan |
| Sohnee Ahmed | 2010 | Quality of life in caregivers of people with Huntington disease |
| Ghazal Almradi | 2010 | Characterizing family history of heart disease in high risk women |
| Melissa Dumouchelle | 2010 | Reaching the next generation of scientists and consumers: What do high school textbooks say about genomics and genetic counseling? |
| Veronica Kokavec | 2010 | Comparison of methods: The utility of a family history questionnaire versus a three-generation pedigree interview in couples with infertility |
| Stephanie Percich | 2010 | Surveillance of BRCA1/2 genetic testing referral and use |
| Michael Jay Harrison | 2011 | Predictors of consent to donate biological sample data to the NIH Central Repository |
| Sohnee Ahmed | 2010 | Quality of life in caregivers of people with Huntington disease |
| Tiara Johnson | 2009 | Collecting a family history of adult-onset disorders in a pediatric genetic setting |
| Kelly Kennelly | 2009 | Assessing the validity of family history collection in a pediatric genetics setting |
| Mary Nyhuis | 2009 | The validity of the CancerGene program to assess the probability of BRCA1/2 mutation: The impact of limited family structure |
| Preethi Premkumar | 2009 | Qualitative evaluation of a new Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease neuropathy scoring system for children in a multidisciplinary CMT clinic |
| Abbey Putnam | 2009 | Dominant versus non-dominant hand strength in CMT1A |
| Kate Zellmer | 2009 | Comparison of methods: Family history questionnaire versus a 3-generation pedigree interview in an infertility setting |
| Jennifer Barrick | 2008 | Outcomes of clinical application of published diagnostic criteria for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Spectrum Disorders |
| Lindsey Bennett | 2008 | Is Pelizaeus-Merzbacher a progressive disorder? |
| Jacqueline Gauthier | 2008 | Attitudes and perceptions of genetic counseling for hereditary breast cancer among Arab-American women |
| Sarah Kramer | 2008 | Demographics, family, and adherence in pediatric PKU patients |
| Lindsey Stott | 2008 | The potential impact of prenatal diagnosis of birth defects and elective termination on rates of birth defects in Michigan |
| Emily Swan | 2008 | A quantitative study of reproductive decision-making in Charcot-Marie Tooth disease |
| Rupin Dhamankar | 2007 | Outcome of Pregnancies Detected With Non-mosaic Trisomy 16 by Chorionic Villus Sampling |
| Stephanie Farner | 2007 | Client Expectations of Genetic Counseling: What Are They and Are We Meeting Them? |
| Lori Felczak | 2007 | The Natural History of Pelizaeus Merzbacher Disease: Patients with Duplications |
| Lindsey Weed | 2007 | Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction with Genetic Counseling Services |
| Karen Metzler | 2006 | A self-administered screening tool to select patients at risk for a hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome: A pilot study using a revised family history assessment tool (FHAT) |
| Allison Lawrence | 2006 | The impact of not proceeding with predictive genetic testing in individuals at risk for Huntington Disease |
| Gwenn Sickles | 2006 | Women's knowledge and expectations of fetal ultrasound |
| Lauren Hickson | 2006 | Advice for families: How to communicate BRCA 1/2 results with your relatives |
| Elizabeth Herr | 2005 | The clinical presentation of women with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type X (CMTX) |
| Tami Friedberg | 2005 | Predictors of knowledge of hereditary breast cancer among ethnically diverse breast cancer patients |
| Katie Moore-Biro | 2005 | Medical students' use of genetics knowledge and skills during the Year 3 clerkships |
| Ryan Rodarmer | 2005 | Attitudes toward genetic counseling, testing and research |
| Dima El-Khechen | 2004 | Assessing the validity of the CancerGene program, a BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation risk assessment tool, using a chart review |
| Jennifer Griffin-Burton | 2004 | Undergraduate biology professors' knowledge of and advising practices regarding the field of genetic counseling |
| Stephanie Hurst | 2004 | Quantifying the female carrier phenotype of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease |
| Kate Shane | 2004 | Improving cancer risk assessment in primary care |
| Bryanna Cox-Gover | 2003 | Identifying barriers to seeking genetics services for children with confirmed hearing loss |
| Erica Horger | 2003 | Factors associated with a heightened perception of risk among African American women with a family history of breast cancer |
| Seema Panchal | 2003 | Genetic counseling recommendations for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease |
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