Could you tell us a little bit about your educational background?

I started my undergrad degree in Biology at Las Positas community college then transferred to CSUEB. I graduated in 2019 with a B.S. in Biology, emphasis in ecology and conservation.

What first got you interested in the healthcare field as a career choice? There are a lot of career options in the field -nursing, physician assistant, etc., what made you decide that genetic counseling was the right practice area/career choice for you?

Genetic counseling requires the empathy, humanity, and connection that a lot of other healthcare careers don’t. Additionally, I believe that having access to information about one’s health is highly empowering, and as a genetic counselor I would be responsible for turning sometimes complex scientific principles that everyone can use to have more autonomy over their lives. Being able to help folks understand themselves better fills me with joy!

What type of obstacles have you had to overcome on the road to getting your education and in particular in pursuing your Genetic Counseling degree?

Probably the biggest obstacle I’ve encountered on my journey to getting my GC degree is the financial aspect. I came from a family that has always struggled with money, and I had to work the entire time that I was in undergrad so that I could pay to go. I feel very proud of myself that I was able to manage school while also working and get decent grades!

What are you most looking forward to about beginning your Genetic Counseling studies?

I’m most excited to start learning about different genetic syndromes that I haven’t heard of before. Trying to match symptoms to a disorder is fascinating to me and working with patients to help them receive a diagnosis I know will be very fulfilling too.

What is one fun and interesting fact about you?

I worked and volunteered at the Oakland Zoo for about half of my life! I started working at their camp as a pre-teen and eventually became an Education Specialist. If you need any fun facts about animals, I’m a fantastic person to ask.