For Immediate Release: Monday, May 20, 2024, 10:00 am U.S. Eastern Time
Media Contact: Kara Flynn, 202.257.8424, press@ashg.org
Rockville, MD – The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) is excited to announce the 2024-2026 ASHG-National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Genomics and Public Service Fellows. Ten fellows have been selected as part of a new expanded program for graduate and post-baccalaureate fellowships continuing two prestigious graduate-level fellowships in genetics and public policy, genetics education and engagement, and adding a third fellowship in genomics communications. The new post-baccalaureate fellowship provides additional fellows training opportunities at an earlier stage of their careers.
“On behalf of the ASHG community, I extend a warm welcome and congratulations to this first cohort of fellows within the expanded program,” said ASHG President Bruce D. Gelb, MD. “I am thrilled that we have continued our meaningful partnership with NHGRI to grow the fellowship program and support geneticists at the early stage of their careers. As the largest interdisciplinary community of human genetics researchers, it is imperative that ASHG recognizes and supports diverse career paths that inform and advance genomics and its applications. I look forward to the great work they will contribute to public policy, education and engagement, science communications and scientific administration.”
In June 2023, ASHG announced a five-year contract of $7.1 million from NHGRI, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which will continue its close partnership and create an expanded and more impactful Genomics and Public Service Fellowship Program.
“NHGRI is delighted to partner with ASHG in establishing the Genomics and Public Service Fellowship Program and welcoming our inaugural class of fellows,” said NHGRI Director Eric Green, MD, PhD. “The future of genomics depends on recruiting and training a rainbow of career professionals, including those with expertise in education, communications, policy, scientific programming and beyond. We are excited to help provide the next generation of genetics and genomics professionals with experiences and exposures that will help them navigate their career journeys.”
Below are biographies of the 2024-2026 ASHG-NHGRI Genomics and Public Service Fellows.
Jacqueline Cohen, ASHG-NHGRI Genomics Communications Fellow
Cohen, MPH
Jacqueline received her Master of Public Health in Public Health Genetics with a Certificate in Global Health from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health in Pittsburgh, PA and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, CA. She worked with the All of Us Pennsylvania research program doing community outreach and engagement in underserved communities and interned at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health creating the content for their pharmacogenomics webpage. More recently, she worked at the University of Pittsburgh as a Program Implementation Specialist, focusing on improving access to behavioral and mental healthcare in rural counties. Jacqueline is passionate about improving genomic health communication to influence informative and equitable use of genomic research and technologies.
Malia Jennings, ASHG-NHGRI Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellow, NHGRI
Jennings, BA
Malia Jennings is a recent graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, TN, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Throughout her undergraduate tenure, Malia engaged in diverse research endeavors, ranging from polymeric biomaterials to exploring the effects of altering circadian rhythms on rodents. Her fascination with genetics blossomed during an RNA-sequence analysis project at the University of Illinois’s Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, where she investigated the genetic response of soybean cultivars infected with soybean cyst nematode. Delving into the cryptic maze of genomics through bioinformatics, Malia merges her interests in biology and data science. As an NHGRI fellow, she aspires to delve deeper into genomic research to propel advancements in public health.
Mike Lopez, ASHG-NHGRI Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellow, NHGRI
Mike Lopez is a graduate of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, graduating in fall 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, along with minors in Biology and Bioinformatics. His research interest was sparked in his sophomore year, particularly in bioinformatics and genomics. This curiosity led him all across the country, connecting with brilliant minds globally. It has empowered him to tackle scientific challenges head-on, diving deep into biology, bioinformatics, data science, and machine learning. Now, he is thrilled to join ASHG and NHGRI as a Post-Baccalaureate Genome Analyst.
Sofia Martín, ASHG-NHGRI Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellow, NHGRI
Sofia Martín is an undergraduate student at St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX, studying Biology with a concentration in Allied Health professions. She has conducted independent research in St. Edward’s Microbiology and Developmental Genetics labs. Most recently, she has completed a medical research internship with the Department of Nephrology at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, where she used light sheet fluorescence microscopy to identify patterns of structures in human kidney tissue. Sofia has a career interest in Genetic Counseling specializing in oncology and hereditary cancer screening. She feels grateful for the opportunity to work on a multitude of NHGRI projects to expand her knowledge of genetics and genomics.
Maya Montgomery, ASHG-NHGRI Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellow, ASHG
Maya Montgomery is an incoming fellow from Chapel Hill, NC. She received her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Global Health from Duke University in Durham, NC, and after this fellowship, will go on to pursue a JD at Columbia Law School through the Columbia Leadership Experience Admission Deferral (LEAD) Fellowship. Her research experience includes exploring challenges to gene therapy access, implementing global mental health interventions, studying genetic bases of neurodevelopmental disorders, and expanding healthcare access everywhere from North Carolina to Kenya. She is interested in patient advocacy, improving genetics education, and promoting equitable access to healthcare and advances in genetic technology and research.
Jessica Reinach, ASHG-NHGRI Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellow, NHGRI
Jessica Reinach recently graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and French. Her honors thesis investigated the roles of the lateral hypothalamus and ventral pallidum in reward and how these impact affective disorders. Previously, she explored the mechanisms of cell death in HPV-positive cancers, and currently works with a team through the Immersion Science Program, Philadelphia to create community-based educational interventions for HPV vaccination. Examining the genetic basis and geographical variation of HPV infection has piqued her interest in the role of genetics and genomics in contemporary medicine and research. In the future, Jessica hopes to combine her passions for medicine, research, and public health through an MD, PhD or other graduate degree.
Elizabeth Roy, ASHG-NHGRI Genetics and Public Policy Fellow
Roy, BA
Elizabeth Roy is a Master of Public Health candidate in the Human Genetics department at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health in Pittsburgh, PA. While completing their degree, Elizabeth volunteered with the advocacy organization Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) to write plain language adaptations of clinical trial criteria for people and families with hereditary cancer. She concurrently completed research on the efficacy of community engagement in environmental policymaking, winning the master’s level school award for ‘Translation & Application of Research to Public Health Policy & Practice’. Elizabeth is completing their master’s essay on equity in insurance coverage of fertility services for people with sickle cell disease. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. She is thrilled to serve as the 2024-2026 ASHG-NHGRI Fellow for Genetics and Public Policy and build a career engaging in the policymaking process with sound incorporation of equitable genomics research.
Gabrielle Villard, ASHG-NHGRI Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellow, NHGRI
Gabrielle Villard is pursuing a Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomics at Southern California University of Health Sciences in Whittier, CA, building on a Bachelor of Science from Trinity Washington University located in Washington, D.C. Following recognition as a Clare Boothe Luce Scholar, she developed a passion for genetics and helping others. She is committed to bridging the gap in medical genetics for marginalized communities as well as increasing the comprehension of genetics to people outside the science community. Outside of school she curates events and volunteers as a crisis counselor to build on her compassion and crisis intervention skills. Motivated by a commitment to helping others, Gabrielle is dedicated to achieving health equity in the world of medical genetics.
Camerun Washington, ASHG-NHGRI Genetics Education and Engagement Fellow
Camerun Washington, MS, CGC, joins ASHG from the Greenwood Genetic Center in Greenville, SC, where he was a clinical genetic counselor focused on pediatric and adult neurogenetics. While at the Genetic Center, Camerun actively engaged in initiatives related to outreach, mentoring, inclusion and equity, research, and clinical care. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages (French) and Bachelor of Science with distinction in Biology from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, as well as a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. He is a certified genetic counselor with the American Board of Genetic Counseling. A teacher at heart, Camerun is excited to learn new ways to connect with the general public and encourage young people to join the genetics and genomics workforce, with the long-term goal of improving the quality of care for minoritized populations. As a first-generation college student, Camerun owes the support charting this path to family, champions, and mentors. He is overjoyed to be an Education and Engagement Fellow and looks forward to being part of the future of genetics and genomics education.
Alison Wilcox, ASHG-NHGRI Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellow, ASHG
Wilcox, BA
Alison Wilcox is a recent graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN with a BA in Biology and a concentration in Family Studies. With aspirations to pursue a career in genetic counseling or public health, she eagerly anticipates the opportunities that the fellowship program at ASHG will provide to explore and refine her professional and personal journey. Passionate about advocacy pertaining to genetic health, she aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their genetic well-being. She is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the realm of genetics, recognizing the critical importance of ensuring accessibility and representation for all. Alison is determined to contribute meaningfully to the field of genetics, advocating for compassionate and comprehensive healthcare practices that prioritize the needs and rights of every individual.
About the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG)
Founded in 1948, the American Society of Human Genetics is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide. Its community of nearly 8,000 members include researchers, academicians, clinicians, laboratory practice professionals, genetic counselors, nurses, and others with an interest in human genetics. The Society serves scientists, health professionals, and the public by providing forums to: (1) share research results through the ASHG Annual Meeting and in The American Journal of Human Genetics and Human Genetics and Genomics Advances; (2) advance genetic research by advocating for research support; (3) educate current and future genetics professionals, health care providers, advocates, policymakers, educators, students, and the public about all aspects of human genetics; and (4) promote genetic services and support responsible social and scientific policies. For more information, visit: http://www.ashg.org.
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