Dr. Kevin T.A. Booth is a Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Fellow at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and his Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Medicine from the University of Iowa. Dr. Booth went on to complete his postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, where his research focused on gene therapy for hereditary hearing loss. Dr. Booth has made substantial contributions to our understanding of the genetic, genomic, allelic, and phenotypic landscapes of hereditary hearing loss and the development of gene therapy approaches for genetic hearing loss. Dr. Booth's achievements have been recognized by numerous prestigious awards, including the Rex Montgomery Dissertation Prize in 2019 and the NIH Future Research Leader Award in 2021.

Maria is a freelance scientific consultant for drug development in the gene therapy / gene editing space. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Athens, Greece and her PhD in Human Molecular Genetics from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. She did her postdoctoral training at the University of Birmingham, UK and at Yale School of MedicineShe was an Assistant Professor at Yale doing translational research, before joining the biotech industry, where she served in positions of increasing responsibility (Biogen, Goldfinch Bio, Beam Tx). Her therapeutic areas of expertise include diseases of kidney, liver (metabolic), CNS, and reproductive system. She was an EMBO and HSFP postdoctoral fellow and has received numerous awards for her research including awards from the American and European Societies of Human Genetics (ASHG and ESHG).

Juliann completed her MS in Genetic Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has practiced as a certified genetic counselor in both cancer and pediatric neurodevelopmental clinical settings. She currently holds the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Genomic Health at Geisinger where she is involved in multiple research efforts including the Clinical Genome Resource and where she co-directs the Geisinger MyCode Community Health Initiative (MyCode) Genomic Screening and Counseling Program that discloses clinically actionable results to biobank participants.

Dr. Beth Sullivan is James B. Duke Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Duke University and Associate Dean for Research in Duke University School of Medicine. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology, Chemistry, and Classics from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) and earned her Ph.D. in Human Genetics from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Her lab studies mechanisms of human genome stability in normal and disease states, with a focus on the genomics and epigenetics of the centromere, functional characterization of alpha satellite DNA variation, and genome engineering of human artificial chromosomes and chromosome rearrangements. 

Anna Capria is an Outreach Coordinator and Bioinformatics Analyst at the J. Craig Venter Institute, where she works on the NIAID-funded BV-BRC project. Her work is centered on making viral bioinformatics and genomics open and accessible to the broader scientific community. Anna holds a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Science from the Rochester Institute of Technology and an MS in Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics from Keck Graduate Institute. Anna volunteers at Rare Science in her free time, where she plays a key role in supporting the rare disease community from an outreach perspective. She has led efforts in patient group organization, social media strategy, advocacy, and the gifting of Rare Bears to patient organizations and families, bringing joy and support to those affected by rare diseases. She is also an active member of the San Diego Women in Bio Chapter, co-chairing the MAPS program. Driven by her deep interest in human genetics and rare diseases, Anna is passionate about advocating for research funding and empowering others in their advocacy journey. Her commitment to improving the lives of those around her is a constant source of motivation in her work.

Grace Tietz is a PhD candidate in Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine and an alumna of the ASHG Advocacy Certificate Program. Prior to starting her PhD, she worked at NIAID where she facilitated data sharing activities in the context of COVID-19 and obtained her B.S. at the University of Maryland College Park. Her current research aims to improve transferability of genetic testing across ancestries using population genetics approaches. Her policy interests are centered around the importance of improving diversity in genetics, both in the workforce, and in the cohorts that are studied. She additionally has interests in data diplomacy, sharing, and governance in genetics. 

GREGORY (GREG) COSTAIN, M.D., Ph.D., is a medical geneticist and physician-scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto. He co-leads various genetic medicine initiatives including the SickKids Genome Board, the SickKids Translational Genomics Node of Precision Child Health, and Can-GARD (Canadian Gene Cure Advanced Therapies for Rare Disease). His research program is focused on understanding the causes and consequences of rare variation in the human genome. His lab uses genome sequencing and computational approaches to discover new disease genes, genotype-phenotype associations, and pathways to precision treatments.

Barbara Kraatz Fortini, Associate Professor of Genetics is currently Director of the Center for Training in Applied Genomics at KGI, and serves as the Program Director for >span class="NormalTextRun SCXW63644289 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)"> Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomic Data Analytics (MSGDA), an execute-education Certificate in Applied Genomics (CAG), and the Clinical Genetics and Bioinformatics (CGB) summer program for undergraduates.   Within the KGI curriculum, Fortini teaches courses in Human Molecular Genetics, Human Genomics, and Functional Genomics. Fortini’s research is focused on how non-coding genomic variation affects colorectal cancer risk, using both bioinformatics and cell-based assays to understand the consequences of variants associated with colon cancer.  Fortini completed her postdoctoral training at the Keck School of Medicine of USC in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. She received her BS in 2002 and her PhD in 2011 at the California Institute of Technology.

Emily Quinn, MS, CGC is an Associate Professor and the Program Director for the Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling program at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). Emily received her bachelor degrees in Biology and Psychology from the University of California Santa Cruz and her master degree in Genetic Counseling from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Emily’s clinical background is in pediatric cancer predisposition and her academic research interests are in the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion, admissions processes, and educational effectiveness.

Dr. Lewis earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Michigan and has lived and worked in Washington, DC for over a decade. She is well-versed in the world of scientific fellowships after being a AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at NASA and after serving as previous director of the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship. She currently manages the ASHG-NHGRI Genomics and Public Service Fellowship Program at ASHG. 

Beth Tuck (she/her) is the chief of the Education and Community Involvement Branch at NHGRI. Previously she served as the executive director at Genspace, the world’s first community biology lab in Brooklyn, New York, where she oversaw the organization’s staff, programs, strategy, fundraising and finance. In her previous role as a genomics education specialist at NHGRI, she worked on enhancing K-16 genomic literacy, education and community engagement. Her achievements included designing curricular resources, engaging students and teachers in hands-on genomics activities, supporting teacher professional development and training scientists in public engagement skills. Beth was also the first ASHG/NHGRI Genetics and Education Fellow in 2014. Her graduate research at Washington University in St. Louis focused on the molecular mechanisms of neurological disorders. 

Sofia Martín is a current ASHG-NHGRI Post-Baccalaureate Genomics Analyst Fellow. She earned her BA 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.

Christine Chang is a program officer in the Division of Genomic Medicine, joining the National Human Genome Research Institute in 2014. She manages a portfolio of grants in genomic medicine research. She is also the co-manager of the NHGRI Scientific Program Analyst program.

Prior to joining NHGRI, Ms. Chang was a Cancer Research Training Fellow at the National Cancer Institute in the Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program.

Karina A. Miller, PhD, is the Manager of Advocacy & Public Affairs at the American Society of Human Genetics. She obtained her undergraduate training from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and her PhD in cancer genetics from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, affiliated with the University at Buffalo. During her graduate training, she was a founding member and leader of a science policy group and of a nonprofit organization to support professional development of women in STEM. At ASHG, she develops and manages programs and resources to support ASHG member advocacy, including the Advocacy Certificate for Human Genetics and Genomics Trainees (ACGT), serves as one of the mentors for the ASHG/NHGRI Genetics and Public Policy Fellowship, and supports ASHG’s Capitol Hill engagement. She also supports implementation of ASHG committee projects and activities in policy, advocacy, and professional practice.

Jon Judd is a Genetics PhD candidate at Stanford University in the labs of Jonathan Pritchard and John Witte, researching the genetic and social causes of complex diseases. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Throughout his training, Jon has been a keen advocate at the local and federal levels. Beyond being a member of ASHG’s Government & Public Advocacy Committee, Jon staffed the Presidents’ Council of Advisors on Science and Technology at the White House and was a research assistant for the Association of Science and Technology Centers. At the grassroots level, Jon is a co-chair of the Stanford Genetics Advocacy Committee, president of the Stanford Science Policy Group, and assisted in organizing Stanford BioJam, a community-led camp devoted to the education of teenagers underrepresented in STEM.

Yvette Seger, PhD, is the Director of Strategic Scientific Program Advancement, Director of Science Policy, and Deputy Director of the Office of Public Affairs for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), a coalition of 22 scientific societies collectively representing over 110,000 individual biological and biomedical researchers. In these roles she leads the Federation's strategic investments in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion and data sharing and reuse while also contributing to overall strategic vision for FASEB’s science policy initiatives. Dr. Seger launched her policy career at the National Academies as a Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Fellow where she worked on a report examining processes for identifying and appointing scientists to key federal advisory positions. After leaving the Academies, Dr. Seger held senior policy analyst positions at the research advocacy group FasterCures, the National Institutes of Health Office of Science Policy, and Thomson Reuters before joining FASEB in 2013. Dr. Seger holds a PhD in Genetics from Stony Brook University and received a BA in Zoology (Genetics Concentration) and Politics & Government from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Jennifer Zeitzer was named Director of the FASEB Office of Public Affairs (OPA) in June 2018 and assumed the dual role of Deputy Executive Director in June 2022. She works with a team of policy analysts, legislative affairs specialists, and the elected leadership of the Federation and its member societies to develop and promote policies to advance biomedical research. Prior to her current role, Jennifer served as the Director of Legislative Relations/ Deputy Director of OPA. In that role, she represented FASEB on Capitol Hill, managed FASEB’s communications with the U.S. Congress, and developed legislative strategies related to funding for the National Institutes of Health and other federal science agencies. She also coordinated FASEB’s advocacy efforts with coalition partners in the biomedical and scientific research community. Previously, Jennifer was the Director of Congressional Relations at the Alzheimer’s Association. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Pennsylvania State University. 

Tony Wynshaw-Boris received his MD, PhD degrees from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In 1994, Dr. Wynshaw-Boris set up an independent laboratory at NHGRI, where he initiated a program using mouse models to study human genetic diseases, with a focus on neurogenetic diseases. In 1999, he moved to UCSD School of Medicine, where he became Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, as well as Chief of the Division of Medical Genetics in the Department of Pediatrics. In 2007, he moved to UCSF School of Medicine, where he was the Charles J. Epstein Professor of Human Genetics and Pediatrics, and the Chief of the Division of Medical Genetics in the Department of Pediatrics. At UCSF, in addition to mouse models, his laboratory began to use patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to study human disease. He returned to Cleveland in 2013 to become the Chair of the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, and is now the James H. Jewell MD (Med ’34) Professor of Genetics. His laboratory continues to use mouse and iPSC models to shed light on mechanisms of neurogenetic diseases with the ultimate goal of providing novel therapies.

Dr. Wynshaw-Boris was President of the American Society for Human Genetics for 2020 and is currently Chair of the Government and Public Advocacy Committee (GPAC). He was appointed to the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, NIH, in 2019. He has also been elected to membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, the American Pediatric Society, and he was elected as Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Paul W. Hook received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Pennsylvania State University in 2012. He went on to earn his PhD in Human Genetics from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2020, where his thesis work focused on pinpointing the genes and variants underlying genome-wide association signals through the use of genomic data from disease-relevant cell populations. Dr. Hook joined Winston Timp’s lab as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University in the summer of 2020. In this role, his work has focused on the development and application of new approaches for measuring different aspects of epigenetics by using long-read sequencing, including chromatin state, DNA methylation, and protein-DNA binding.

Minna Kaikkonen-Määttä obtained her Bachelor's degree in Cellular Biology and Physiology from the Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, France, in 2002 and Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from University of Jyväskylä, Finland, in 2005. She obtained her PhD in Molecular Medicine under the supervision of Prof. Seppo Ylä-Herttuala in Kuopio in 2008. Her doctoral studies were focused on “Engineering Baculo- and Lentiviral Vectors for Enhanced and Targeted Gene Delivery”. She did her postdoctoral studies with Prof. Christopher Glass at University of California San Diego where she shifted her research focus into transcriptional gene regulation and enhancer RNAs supported by the Young Investigator Award from Leducq Foundation. She started her own lab in 2015 at the University of Eastern Finland with a focus on gene and cell level understanding of atherosclerosis using state-of-the-art next generation sequencing methods. Currently she is a Professor in Cardiovascular Genomics and runs a lab of 20 members while acting as a Director of the A.I.Virtanen Research Institute and Single Cell Genomics Core. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles with ~6000 citations (H-index 34). She has received over 8.5 million in research funding and is currently supported by the prestigious European Research Council Consolidator Grant, Academy of Finland, Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research and Sigrid Juselius Foundation. She is the President of the Finnish Society of Atherosclerosis and member of the ESC working group on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology, Scandinavian Society of Atherosclerosis, and Membership Engagement Committee of the American Society of Human Genetics. 

Erin Thorpe Venti is a board-certified genetic counselor with more than a decade of experience in clinical patient care, research, and genetic testing. For the past nine years, Erin has specialized in clinical whole genome sequencing for rare and undiagnosed genetic conditions, with expertise in variant interpretation, case analysis, clinical reporting, test development, reanalysis workflows, data analysis, provider education, and program management. She currently serves as the Director of Clinical Programs at Genetic Alliance, a nonprofit health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing health through genetics. In this role, Erin oversees the management and operations of iHope Genetic Health, an initiative focused on providing access to complex genetic testing for underserved children in low-to-middle-income countries.

Mr. Williams is Assistant Director, Inclusion and Research Readiness at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center where he develops national biology education programs. Mr. Williams has delivered professional development and training for thousands of students, researchers and educators in bioinformatics, data science, and molecular biology. His focus has been developing bioinformatics in undergraduate education and career-spanning learning for biologists. Jason is founder of LifeSciTrainers.org – a global effort to promote community of practice among professionals who develop short-format training for life scientists. Jason is advisory to cyberinfrastructure, bioinformatics, and education projects and initiatives in the US, UK, Europe, and Australia.

Dan Shay is a non-traditional scientist. After graduating college with a Bachelor’s degree, Dan taught environmental education for several years before receiving his Master’s in Teaching in 2013. For the last 11 years, Dan has taught and directed a specialized Biotechnology Career and Technical Education program at a North Central High School. The goal of this program is to teach students the skills they need to enter into a career in biotechnology research. In the 5 years that he has directed the program, Dan has received over $100k in funding to update the technological infrastructure of his lab, some of this went towards purchasing the Oxford Nanopore minION and developing protocols for students to collect and analyze sequencing data as a class. Dan was the recipient of the 2021 Washington State Science and Engineering Fair Teacher of the Year award and the 2023 WA State Outstanding Biology Teacher Award. 

Katharina Wolff is currently a doctoral candidate at TU Braunschweig, working with Prof. Dr. Boas Pucker in the group “Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics”. Her research spans the realms of Synthetic Biology, Plant Genomics, and Bioinformatics, seamlessly blending wet lab and dry lab methodologies. Within the workgroup, Katharina oversees the operations at the ONT Sequencing Facility. Her role involves leveraging her expertise in both wet lab techniques and bioinformatics to conduct thorough and comprehensive genomic analyses. Additionally, Katharina has developed and supervised a practical Data Literacy in Genome Research course in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Boas Pucker.

Laura K. Reed is a Professor of Biology at the University of Alabama.  Dr. Reed received her BS in Biology (University of Oregon), her PhD in Ecology and Evolution (University of Arizona), was NIH-NRSA postdoctoral fellow (North Carolina State University), and joined the faculty at the University of Alabama in 2010. Her research focuses on the evolutionary genomics of complex traits and effective science education methodology. She directs the Genomics Education Partnership (thegep.org), a collaboration dedicated to bringing course-based genomics research experiences into undergraduate courses across the US.

Jonathan Pugh has devoted over a decade to Oxford Nanopore Technologies, advancing from a foundational role in nanopore research to currently spearheading the company's educational initiatives as the Director of Nanopore Education. With a rich career encompassing product management, marketing, and now education, Jonathan leverages his extensive expertise to bring sequencing technology to a wider student demographic across the globe. His current role reflects a harmonious blend of his adept communication skills and a deep-seated knowledge of nanopore sequencing, aiming to foster STEM engagement and education for the next generation of scientists.

Dr. James Melton is a Senior Lecturer in the Biology Department at Spelman College. He obtained his PhD in Biology from the University of Alabama and studied the diversity and organellar genomics of green algae. Previously as a CURE (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience) postdoctoral fellow at Spelman College, he investigated the diversity and transcriptomics of Amoebozoa. He currently leads the ‘Phage Discovery and Genomics’ program at Spelman College and has incorporated Oxford Nanopore sequencing into the classroom for every student to be able to sequence their isolated phage.