What do you do when your family is faced with a rare disease that has no cure, and every day truly matters?

In this episode of DNA Today, we focus on Hunter syndrome (MPS II), a rare, progressive genetic condition that primarily affects children and leads to serious physical, neurological, and developmental challenges over time.

Our guest is Kristin McKay, Executive Director of Project Alive, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating treatments, expanding access to care, and supporting families impacted by Hunter syndrome. Kristin’s advocacy is deeply personal: she lost her brother, Zachary, to Hunter syndrome, and today her son, Charlie, is living with the condition.

Kristin joins us to share what Hunter syndrome is, how it progresses, and how her family’s journey shaped her leadership and advocacy. We discuss the urgent need for effective treatments, the promise and uncertainty surrounding emerging gene therapies, and what families experience when regulatory delays impact a disease where time is not a luxury.

This conversation highlights both the science behind Hunter syndrome and the human cost of delay, along with the resilience of a community that continues to push forward fueled by hope.

On This Episode, We Discuss:

 

• Understanding Hunter Syndrome (MPS II)
  • What it means to have a metabolic disorder and how MPS II affects the body
  • Common symptoms and how the disease progresses over time
  • The variability in presentation and severity among individuals
• A Family’s Journey Through Hunter Syndrome
  • Kristin’s experiences growing up with a brother affected by Hunter syndrome
  • Losing Zachary and later receiving the diagnosis for her son, Charlie
  • How these experiences shaped her perspective as both a parent and an advocate
• Project Alive: Mission, Growth & Impact
  • The origins and mission of Project Alive
  • Key initiatives supporting research, families, and advocacy
  • How the organization balances funding science, supporting families, and influencing policy
• Gene Therapy & the RGX-121 Delay
  • Why RGX-121 is considered a promising potential one-time gene therapy for Hunter syndrome
  • What the FDA’s Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date extension means for patients and families
  • The emotional and practical impact of regulatory delays in ultra-rare diseases
  • What changes could help expedite review processes for rare disease therapies
• Advocacy, Equity & Access
  • How Project Alive amplifies the voices of a small but urgent patient community
  • Strategies for engaging policymakers and industry partners
  • Lessons the broader rare disease field can learn from this advocacy model
• Looking Ahead & How You Can Help
  • What listeners can do to support Project Alive
  • Opportunities for advocacy, awareness-building, and community engagement
    
    

Relevant Resources: 

• Project Alive
• MedlinePlus’ Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome) Page
• The Orphan Drug Act 1983 strongly influenced by The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
• Royalty pens $275M financing deal for Denali drug awaiting delayed FDA decision
• FDA pushes back PDUFA date for Regenxbio's Hunter syndrome gene therapy
• JCR Pharmaceuticals Announces the Achievement of Enrollment in the JR-141 Global Phase III Clinical Trial
• A Phase III Study of JR-141 in Patients With Mucopolysaccharidosis II (STARLIGHT)
• FDA News Release: FDA Advances Rare Disease Drug Development with New Evidence Principles
• Morimoto H, Morioka H, Imakiire A, Yamamoto R, Hirato T, Sonoda H, Minami K. Dose-dependent effects of a brain-penetrating iduronate-2-sulfatase on neurobehavioral impairments in mucopolysaccharidosis II mice. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev. 2022 May 10;25:534-544. doi: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.05.002. PMID: 35662814; PMCID: PMC9142692.
• The Precision Medicine Initiative launched by President Obama 
• It Happened To Me Podcast Episode #16 ALS with Brook Eby (Kira referred to this being a DNA Today episode, she misremembered doing an episode drop on DNA Today, but maybe that means we should in the future) 
• National Organization For Rare Disorders (NORD)
• EveryLife Foundation For Rare Diseases
• STAT News: 1 in 10 Americans have a rare disease, but few have treatments
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Venture Philanthropy Model
• Kim, Esther and Lo, Andrew W., Venture Philanthropy: A Case Study of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (April 23, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3376673 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3376673
• Denali Therapeutics Drug Pipelines (including MPSII) 
• Researchers estimated that 42% of Americans over age 55 will eventually develop dementia. 
• NIH research (lead by Dr. Francis Collins) leads to first FDA-approved treatment for progeria

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

• #147 CF Series: Bijal Trivedi on "Breath From Salt"
• #149 CF Series: Gunnar Esiason on Patient Advocacy
• #288 CRISPR Cured Victoria Gray’s Sickle Cell: Part 1
• #289 CRISPR Cured Victoria Gray’s Sickle Cell: Part 2
• #306 NIH’s Dr. Francis Collins’ Leadership in the Human Genome Project and COVID-19
• #327 How Patient Advocacy is Changing Rare Disease Research
• #332 Building Stronger Rare Disease Organizations: NORD CEO’s Insight
• #356 From Statehouse to Capitol Hill: A Guide to Effective Advocacy for Rare Diseases
• #370 Genetics Wrapped: 2025 Top Advances in Genomic Medicine
• #371 Growing Old Too Fast: A Mother’s Fight for Cockayne Syndrome Advocacy

Get ready, genetic nerds, another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 370 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen, search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC.

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

In this special episode recorded live at the New England Regional Genetics Group (NERGG) conference, we sit down with Geana Dyer, BS, RN, Founder of the Cockayne Syndrome Foundation and mother to 5-year-old Ronin, who lives with Cockayne Syndrome (CS). Geana shares her family’s personal journey from diagnosis to advocacy, offering a raw, insightful look at parenting through uncertainty while building a global support community for families affected by this ultra-rare condition.

Geana presented at NERGG alongside her son’s geneticist, Katherine Anderson, MD, from the University of Vermont Medical Center. Together, they highlighted current research, care strategies, and the lived experiences behind Cockayne Syndrome, a condition still deeply misunderstood and vastly under-recognized.

On This Episode We Discuss:

• Parenting a Child with Cockayne Syndrome:
  • Lack of carrier screening during IVF.
  • Genetic aspects and impact on DNA repair.
  • Different types of Cockayne Syndrome and their symptoms.
• Tailored Care for Ronan:
  • Importance of specific growth charts and dietary considerations.
  • Role of a supportive community and foundation efforts.
• Overlap with Other Disorders:
  • Similarities with other DNA repair disorders.
  • Importance of awareness and advocacy.
• Support and Encouragement:
  • Message to families and caregivers about community support.
  • Emphasis on shared experiences and advocacy.

 

Relevant Resources: 

• Cockayne Syndrome Foundation
  • TikTok: @HopeForCS
  • Instagram: @HopeForCS
  • Facebook 
• Cockayne Syndrome Page on MedlinePlus 
• Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) on MedlinePlus  
• Cockayne Syndrome: A Manual for Healthcare Providers
• Cockayne Syndrome: A Manual for Parents and Caregivers
• Growth Chart: Cockayne Syndrome Type 1 and Type 2
• The National Initiative for Cockayne Syndrome (NICS) 
• Amy and Friends
• MRI Lego Set 
• Midnight Sun (Kira mentioned this movie with Bella Thorn depicting Xeroderma Pigmentosum)
• Rajamani G, Stafki SA, Daugherty AL, Mantyh WG, Littel HR, Bruels CC, Pacak CA, Robbins PD, Niedernhofer LJ, Abiona A, Giunti P, Mohammed S, Laugel V, Kang PB. Cognitive Decline and Other Late-Stage Neurologic Complications in Cockayne Syndrome. Neurol Clin Pract. 2024 Aug;14(4):e200309. doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200309. Epub 2024 May 16. PMID: 38808024; PMCID: PMC11129329.

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#39 Sun Kissed & Kardashian's Genetic Testing (Xeroderma Pigmentosum)

#327 How Patient Advocacy is Changing Rare Disease Research

#332 Building Stronger Rare Disease Organizations: NORD CEO’s Insight

#356 From Statehouse to Capitol Hill: A Guide to Effective Advocacy for Rare Diseases

 

Connect With Us:

Get ready, genetic nerds, another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 370 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen, search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC.

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

To celebrate the year coming to an end, we are reflecting back on the top genetics and genomics news stories during 2025, and making predictions for 2026. 

 

The top stories we chatted about are from the American Journal of Human Genetics’ “Genomic medicine year in review: 2025” paper. 

 

Joining me for this discussion are two leaders in genomics: Drs. Sarah Tishkoff and Eric Green. 

 

In this reflective conversation, Kira Dineen, Dr. Sarah Tishkoff, and Dr. Eric Green discuss the significant developments in genetics and genomics over the past year, including the recent American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) conference and NIH grant cuts. 

Top 2025 Papers With Genomic Medicine Advancements

• Gene Therapy 
  • CRISPR base editing delivered repeatedly by lipid nanoparticles is effective and safe
  • Utility of a high-activity variant in gene therapy for hemophilia B 
  • Promising phase 2 trial of CRISPR-based therapy for hereditary angioedema
  • Oral pre-mRNA modifiers improve outcomes in presymptomatic spinal muscular atrophy
• Sequencing
  • Long-range genome sequencing enhances rare disease variant detection
  • Long-read genome sequencing identifies diagnostic variants 
  • Exome sequencing in critical illness is useful in adults as well as children 
• Other
  • Utility of pharmacogenomics in chemotherapy for GI cancers 
  • Polygenic risk score disclosure reduces adverse cardiovascular events 
  • Preimplantation genetic testing reduces risk of mtDNA diseases 

The Guests: 

 

Sarah Tishkoff is the David and Lyn Silfen University Professor in Genetics and Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, holding appointments in the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Arts and Sciences. She is also the Director of the Penn Center for Global Genomics & Health Equity in the Perelman School of Medicine.

 

Dr. Tishkoff studies genomic and phenotypic variation in ethnically diverse Africans. Her research combines field work, laboratory research, and computational methods to examine African population history, the genetic basis of anthropometric, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune related traits, and how humans have adapted to diverse environments and diets. She plays an active role as an advocate for the inclusion of global populations in human genetics and genomics research.

 

Dr. Tishkoff is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is a recipient of an NIH Pioneer Award, a David and Lucile Packard Career Award, a Burroughs/Wellcome Fund Career Award, the ASHG Curt Stern Award, the Wilbur Cross medal from Yale, the Vanderbilt Prize in biomedical sciences and a Penn Integrates Knowledge (PIK) endowed chair. She is President of the American Society of Human Genetics, is on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Packard Fellowships in Science and Engineering and is on the editorial boards at Cell and PLOS Genetics.

 

Eric D. Green, M.D., Ph.D., served as the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2009 to 2025. He was the third NHGRI director, having been appointed by then-NIH director Dr. Francis Collins in 2009.

Dr. Green’s relationship with the Institute began long before his appointment as director. He served as the Institute’s scientific director (2002 - 2009), chief of the NHGRI Genome Technology Branch (1996 - 2009) and founding director of the NIH Intramural Sequencing Center (1997 - 2009). Prior to that, he played an integral role in the Human Genome Project.

Throughout his career, Dr. Green has authored and co-authored over 390 scientific publications. As NHGRI director, Dr. Green led the Institute's research programs and other initiatives. Under his guidance, the Institute has completed two major cycles of strategic planning to ensure that its research investments in genomics effectively advance human health. The first effort yielded the highly cited 2011 NHGRI strategic vision, “Charting a course for genomic medicine from base pairs to bedside” (Nature 470:204-213, 2011); the second yielded the 2020 paper ”Strategic vision for improving human health at The Forefront of Genomics” (Nature 586:683-692, 2020).

 

With the rapidly expanding scope of genomics research, Dr. Green has also led NHGRI’s close coordination with other components of NIH, agencies and organizations. Dr. Green has played an instrumental leadership role in developing many high-profile efforts relevant to genomics. These efforts include multiple NIH Common Fund Programs — such as the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa), and the Human Microbiome Project — the Smithsonian-NHGRI exhibition Genome: Unlocking Life's Code, several trans-NIH data science initiatives, the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy and the NIH All of Us Research Program. 

 

Dr. Green received his B.S. degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1981 and his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Washington University in 1987. Coincidentally, 1987 was the same year that the word “genomics” was coined. 

 

While directing an independent research program for just over two decades, Dr. Green was at the forefront of efforts to map, sequence and understand mammalian genomes. His work included significant, start-to-finish involvement in the Human Genome Project. These efforts eventually blossomed into a highly productive program in comparative genomics that provided important insights about genome structure, function and evolution. His laboratory also pursued human genetics studies and identified and characterized several human disease genes, including those implicated in certain forms of hereditary deafness, vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Green has received countless awards, most recently the 2025 ASHG Leadership Award where he received a much deserved standing ovation. 

Quick Fact Check: 

Kira estimated there were 30 or 40 genes in the mitochondria, she was in the ballpark, there are 37 genes. 

 

Additional Papers Referenced: 

(In order of appearance) 

 

Hobbs HH, Cohen JC, Horton JD. PCSK9: From Nature's Loss to Patient's Gain. Circulation. 2024 Jan 16;149(3):171-173. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.064498. Epub 2024 Jan 16. PMID: 38227713; PMCID: PMC10874118.

 

Musunuru K, Urnov F. Moving Therapeutic Genome Editing into Global Clinical Trials and Medicine. CRISPR J. 2025 Aug;8(4):228-231. doi: 10.1089/crispr.2025.0049. Epub 2025 May 22. PMID: 40397097.

 

Gurevitz C, Bajaj A, Khera AV, Do R, Schunkert H, Musunuru K, Rosenson RS. Gene therapy and genome editing for lipoprotein disorders. Eur Heart J. 2025 Sep 15;46(35):3420-3433. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf411. PMID: 40600248; PMCID: PMC12448413.

 

Logsdon, G.A., Ebert, P., Audano, P.A. et al. Complex genetic variation in nearly complete human genomes. Nature 644, 430–441 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09140-6

 

Visscher, P.M., Gyngell, C., Yengo, L. et al. Heritable polygenic editing: the next frontier in genomic medicine?. Nature 637, 637–645 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08300-4

 

Lapinska S, Pimplaskar A, Shi Z, Ding Y, Frydman-Gani C, Hou K, Venkateswaran V, Boulier K, Olde Loohuis LM, Pasaniuc B. Exploring depression treatment response by using polygenic risk scoring across diverse populations. Am J Hum Genet. 2025 Aug 7;112(8):1877-1891. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2025.06.003. Epub 2025 Jun 27. PMID: 40580956; PMCID: PMC12362525.

 

Joon-Ho Yu, Katherine E. MacDuffie, Olivia Sommerland, Tesla Theoryn, Priyanka Murali, Kailyn Anderson, Megan Sikes, Lukas Kruidenier, Heidi I.S. Gildersleeve, Abbey Scott, Kati J. Buckingham, Kirsty McWalter, Paul Kruszka, Alexandra C. Keefe, Jessica X. Chong, David L. Veenstra, Katrina M. Dipple, Tara Wenger, Dan Doherty, Michael J. Bamshad,

Expanding implementation of pediatric whole-genome sequencing: Insights from SeqFirst providers to inform equitable access to a precise genetic diagnosis, Human Genetics and Genomics Advances, Volume 6, Issue 4, 2025, 100464, ISSN 2666-2477,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xhgg.2025.100464.

 

Yu JH, MacDuffie KE, Sommerland O, Theoryn T, Murali P, Anderson K, Sikes M, Kruidenier L, Gildersleeve HIS, Scott A, Buckingham KJ, McWalter K, Kruszka P, Keefe AC, Chong JX, Veenstra DL, Dipple KM, Wenger T, Doherty D, Bamshad MJ. Expanding implementation of pediatric whole-genome sequencing: Insights from SeqFirst providers to inform equitable access to a precise genetic diagnosis. HGG Adv. 2025 Oct 9;6(4):100464. doi: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2025.100464. Epub 2025 Jun 3. PMID: 40468597; PMCID: PMC12357158.

Relevant Resources:

• “World’s First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia” via CHOP
• “Is NIH cutting corners as it rushes to fill leadership positions?” via Science Insider  
• “The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science Medicine” via The New York Times
• American Society of Human Genetics Past President List
• Six Things to Know About ASHG’s Advocacy Work in 2025
• Six Ways to be an ASHG Advocate
• “On the Hill and Working for You: Our Advocacy in Action” ASHG Webinar
• Mass General Brigham launches genetic test to predict risk across eight cardiovascular conditions via Broad Institute 
• Human Pangenome Project 
• “Stanford scientist (Dr. Euan Ashley) who broke genome sequencing record on what faster diagnoses mean for patients” (2023) via STAT News
• Broad Clinical Labs sets new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for fastest DNA sequencing technique
• “All babies in England to get DNA test to assess risk of diseases within 10 years” via The Guardian 
• “Florida Becomes The First State To Scan For Genetic Diseases In All Newborns” via Forbes about the Sunshine Genetics Act 
• Building Evidence and Collaboration for GenOmics in Nationwide Newborn Screening (BEACONS)
• First U.S. National Genomic Newborn Screening Initiative Launched with $14.4 Million NIH Award
• Being an accidental pioneer in precision medicine | Matt Might | TEDxBirmingham

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#110 Gattaca, 22 Years Later

#117 Dr. Janina Jeff on African Genomes

#150 Euan Ashley and Stephen Quake on The Genome Odyssey

#182 Eric Green on the Complete Human Genome Project

#183 Dr. Miga and Dr. Phillippy on the Telomere to Telomere Consortium

#214 Genetics Wrapped 2022 (with Dr. Eric Green)

#216 African American Ancestry with Nicka Smith

#221 Genetic Counseling in South Africa with Samantha Bayley and Tina-Marié Wessels

#260 PhenoTips: Population Genomics in Clinical Practice (with Dr. Eric Green)

#266 Genetics Wrapped 2023 (with Drs. Eric Green and Brendan Lee)

#288 CRISPR Cured Victoria Gray’s Sickle Cell: Part 1

#289 CRISPR Cured Victoria Gray’s Sickle Cell: Part 2

#318 Genetics Wrapped 2024: Top Advances in Genomic Medicine (with Drs. Bruce Gelb and Eric Green)

#324 Genetic Contraindications for Ozempic and Wegovy (GLP-1 Agonists)

#345 How To Talk About DNA Without Losing People: Strategies Part 1

#350 How To Talk About DNA Without Losing People: Strategies Part 2

#358 AGBT Precision Health 2025 Meeting Recaps and Reflections (with Dr. Eric Green)

#363 ASHG 2025 Recap: AI Diagnostics, Genetics Publications & Losing NIH Funding 

 

Connect with us:

Get ready, genetic nerds, another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 365 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

What would you do if you had millions of dollars in funding to transform the future of genetic counseling? Few in our field have successfully taken on that challenge, and Dr. Kathleen Valverde is one of them; she has secured two groundbreaking grants totaling almost $20 MILLION. We sat down with her in-person for this episode to hear her advice on acquiring grant funding and the profound impact it can have on advancing our profession. 

  Episode Topics Discussed:

• Kathy's Motivation and Background
  • Kathy's role as a program director and her journey in genetic counseling.
  • The importance of scholarships and funding for diverse backgrounds.
• Grant Funding and Impact
  • Details of the grants from the Warren Alpert Foundation.
  • The impact of these grants on genetic counseling education and diversity.
• Challenges in Genetic Counseling
  • Discussion on the barriers to funding and access in genetic counseling.
  • Kathy's personal experiences and commitment to overcoming these challenges.
• Mentorship and Networking
  • The role of mentorship and networking in Kathy's success.
  • Advice on starting with small grants and building a track record.
• Programs Supported by Grants
  • Overview of the Alliance for Genetic Counseling and Career Ladder Education Program.
  • Benefits provided to students, including tuition, health insurance, and stipends.
• Educational Opportunities and Continuing Education
  • The importance of continuing education for genetic counselors.
  • Details of the Advanced Research Training Certificate Program.
• Long-term Effects and Measuring Success
  • Metrics and outcomes of the grant programs.
  • Success stories and the impact on students' careers.
• Advice for Aspiring Grant Recipients 
  • Kathy's advice on grant writing and overcoming imposter syndrome.
  • The importance of perseverance and community support.
• Future of Genetic Counseling
  • Kathy's vision for the future of genetic counseling.
  • The need for continued education and support in the field.

  The Guest:

Kathleen Valverde, PhD, MS, LCGC is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and one of the most influential leaders in genetic counseling education. She is the principal investigator of two major Warren Alpert Foundation grants — the Alliance for Genetic Counseling (AID-GC) and the Career Ladder Education Program for Genetic Counselors (CLEP-GC) — totaling nearly $20 million to expand diversity, access, and research training in the field. 

Across her 40-year career, she has trained nearly 400 genetic counselors, served in key leadership roles for national organizations including ACGC, and helped establish genetic counseling licensure in Pennsylvania. A BRCA-positive family member herself, Dr. Valverde brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her mission of strengthening the genetic counseling workforce and advancing patient care.

  Relevant Resources: 

• Grant Superhero: Kathleen Valverde, PhD, LCGC
• Dr. Kathleen Valverde’s PubMed Articles
• Warren Alpert Foundation
• The Warren Alpert Foundation Career Ladder Education Program - The Advanced Research Training Certificate Program for Genetic Counselors (or ART-GC)
• Alliance for Genetic Counseling Fellowship 
• Audrey Heimler Special Projects Award (AHSPA)
• Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship (JEMF)
• The Basser Center for BRCA
• PhenoTips Speaker Series Live Podcast Episode: Proving Profitability in Genomics with Dr. Eric Green, Brian Reys, Marianne Olson, and Dr. Colleen Campbell 

  Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episodes:

#25 Interview with Cancer Hereditary Experts (with Ellen Matloff) 

#91 Ellen Matloff on Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing

#136 Linda Robinson on the History of Genetic Counseling

#234 Genetic Counseling History: 1st NSGC Conference 

#235 Genetic Counseling History: ABGC Formation

#244 Genetic Counseling History: The 70s

#319 New CPT Code 96041 Explained: 2025 Billing for Genetic Counselors

#361 The Economics of Genetic Counseling: Policy, Industry & Career Advice (with Ellen Matloff)

  Connect With Us:

Get ready, genetic nerds, another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! While you wait, why not dive into our backlog of over 365 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].

This is our fifth installment in our Mock Genetic Counseling Session Series! In this episode, prenatal genetic counselor Brittany Gancarz and student Victoria Russo perform a mock genetic counseling session. The session indication is an abnormal ultrasound finding of an increased nuchal translucency. 

This session was recorded in-person, providing a more dynamic and engaging learning experience therefore, we highly recommend watching it on YouTube to fully immerse yourself in the interaction. 

We hope this series is helpful for prospective and current genetic counseling students, as well as the general public, by demystifying the genetic counseling process. Understanding how these sessions work can empower individuals and provide valuable educational insights into this critical healthcare service.

  The Actors:

Victoria Russo (she/her) is currently in her second and final year in the Human Genetics Program at Sarah Lawrence College training to be a genetic counselor. Russo is a graduate of Northeastern University with a B.S. in Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology. The premise of this mock case was Russo’s work as part of her internship with DNA Today.  

 

Brittany Gancarz, MS, LCGC (she/her) practices as the lead prenatal genetic counselor at UConn Health, where she sees patients for a wide variety of pregnancy and preconception indications. She enjoys working as part of the healthcare team with many other skilled professionals in the Maternal Fetal Medicine department. Gancarz’s genetic counseling interests include prenatal diagnosis, cell-free DNA testing, carrier screening, ultrasound anomalies, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and perinatal palliative care. Gancarz is on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Genetic Counselor Association. She was awarded Bay Path University's Genetic Counseling Program’s Outstanding Clinical Supervisor of the Year. Brittany graduated from Colby College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Biology and minoring Creative Writing, and completed her master’s degree in Human Genetics at the Joan H. Marks Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College. 

  Mock Cardiac Genetic Counseling Session Outline

Session Indication: 

The patient is Kylie who is a 29 year old female who is experiencing her first pregnancy (G1P0). She is currently 13 weeks gestation and on her last ultrasound had an increased nuchal translucency measurement (3.7 mm), so her OB/GYN referred her to a genetic counselor. 

• Contracting 
  • Brittany introduces herself as the genetic counselor and confirms the referral reason.
  • The patient, Kylie, shares her understanding of the ultrasound findings and her lack of knowledge about genetic counseling.
• Explanation of Ultrasound Findings
  • Discussion of the nuchal translucency (NT) measurement and its implications.
  • Explanation of the potential genetic conditions associated with increased NT.
• Screening and Testing Options
  • Overview of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and its capabilities.
  • Discussion of diagnostic testing options: CVS and amniocentesis, including their procedures, risks, and timing.
• Family History and Genetic Concerns
  • Exploration of family history for genetic conditions or concerns.
  • Discussion of Factor V Leiden and its implications.
• Decision-Making and Next Steps
  • Discussion of the patient's feelings and decision-making process regarding testing.
  • Planning for screening tests and follow-up consultations.
• Conclusion
  • Recap of the session and reassurance provided to the patient.
  • Information on how to reach out with further questions and the plan for future appointments.

 

Relevant Reproductive Genetic DNA Today Episodes:

Episode #224 Single-Gene Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) with BillionToOne

Episode #225 Fetal Antigen Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) with BillionToOne

Episode #270 Embryo and Miscarriage Genetic Testing with Kelly Loggenberg

Episode #348 NIPT Beyond the Basics: Screening for Single-Gene Conditions

  Previous installments of our Mock Genetic Counseling Session series:

Episode #311: Cancer Session for Breast and Prostate Cancer Family History

Episode #317: Prenatal Session for Advanced Maternal Age

Episode #331: Pediatric Session for Autism

Episode #351: Cardio Session for Sudden Death of A Family Member 

 

Disclaimer:

Please note that the information provided in this mock genetic counseling session is intended strictly for educational purposes and should not be used for personal medical decision-making. If you have questions or concerns about your health, we encourage you to consult directly with a certified genetic counselor who can provide tailored medical recommendations. If you are in the United States, you can find a genetic counselor near you by visiting FindAGeneticCounselor.com. Stay tuned for an international genetic provider directory. 

 

Connect With Us:

Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 350 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

Science and religion don’t have to be in conflict. In this special crossover, we premiere the pilot episode of “Gods and Genes”, a new brand podcast in the Gene Pool Media network hosted by Amber Sher, MS, CGC. Our host Kira Dineen interviews Amber about the conversations that emerge when genomics meets spirituality, from how clinicians respectfully engage with patients’ beliefs to how our own worldviews shape care at the bedside.

Amber shares her personal background growing up in a religiously mixed home (Christian/atheist), her journey through deconstruction and back to a post-deconstruction Christian identity, and why that lived experience drew her to study religion and spirituality in genetic counseling for her graduate capstone at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). With training in genetic counseling and a background shaped by a religiously mixed upbringing, Amber brings a unique perspective on how to navigate questions of faith in medical settings.

Be sure to subscribe to Gods and Genes on your podcast app, here on Spotify and here on Apple Podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes exploring belief, meaning, and medicine.

Episode Topics Discussed:

• Why this show, why now: The vision for Gods and Genes and the gap it fills in clinical education and patient care.
• Science + spirituality as complements: Curiosity, mystery, and how questions in science and faith can productively coexist.
• Amber’s path: Growing up with Christian and atheist parents, deconstruction, and how that shapes her clinical stance today.
• Inside the capstone study: What genetic counselors report hearing from patients about faith/spirituality, and how prepared they feel.
• Key finding: Providers’ perceived helpfulness in faith-related conversations did not differ by their own religiosity, spirituality, affiliation, or years of experience, suggesting this is a trainable skill.
• Practical language clinicians can use:
  • Validating statements (“It sounds like your faith is important in this decision…”)
  • Reflective summaries to check understanding
  • Thoughtful reframing that integrates beliefs with medical options (and knowing when to refer to chaplaincy)
• When beliefs and recommendations diverge: Staying non-directive, exploring assumptions, and correcting myths (e.g., privacy/HIPAA concerns).
• Partners in care: Why clergy (e.g., rabbis in Orthodox communities) are often medical advocates, not adversaries, and how to collaborate.
• Common misconceptions, both ways:
  • Among clinicians about “what clergy do” and whether to invite them in
  • Among faith communities about what genetic counselors do beyond prenatal care
• Invitations to the community: Amber seeks conversations with religious scholars, non-religion/unbelief researchers, chaplains, clinicians, and patients willing to share how belief (or non-belief) shaped their care.

 

Correction: Around 12 minutes and 30 seconds into the episode (varies depending if you are consuming the audio or video version), Amber shares that in every session religion/spirituality comes up, she meant to say every rotation she went through, not with every patient. 

 

Key Takeaways:

• Patients raise spiritual or religious concerns more often than many trainees expect; be ready, not reactive.
• You don’t need to be religious to be helpful; skills can be learned (validation, reflection, collaboration).
• Not every visit needs a spiritual history, follow the patient’s lead.
• Chaplains, rabbis, clergy etc. can be allies who understand medical contexts and patient values.
• Thoughtful reframing (when appropriate) can align faith commitments with evidence-based options without being directive.

 

Relevant Resources: 

• Religion On the Mind podcast hosted by Dan Koch (Spotify, Apple, and Substack) 
• "Utterly Humbled by Mystery" by Father Richard Rohr
• Rob Bell on Spirituality and Mystery
• Richeimer N, Wilson K, Petrasek A, Weiner J. Emunas Chachamim (faith in the sages): A prenatal genetic counseling needs assessment of Orthodox Jewish clergy in Los Angeles. J Genet Couns. 2024 Oct;33(5):1045-1058. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1816. Epub 2023 Oct 25. PMID: 37877233.
• Thompson AB, Cragun D, Sumerau JE, Cragun RT, De Gifis V, Trepanier A. "Be Prepared if I Bring It Up:" Patients' Perceptions of the Utility of Religious and Spiritual Discussion During Genetic Counseling. J Genet Couns. 2016 Oct;25(5):945-56. doi: 10.1007/s10897-015-9922-9. Epub 2016 Jan 13. PMID: 26758255. 

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#306 NIH’s Dr. Francis Collins’ Leadership in the Human Genome Project and COVID-19

 

Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network

Gods and Genes is the newest show on science podcast network, Gene Pool Media. Thanks to everyone who has supported the network by following us @GenePoolMedia on social. Shoutout to all the podcasts in our network, you should check them via the links below!

• RealPharma
• Beyond The Thesis with Papa PhD
• DNA Dialogues
• It Happened To Me
• All Access DNA
• #ThroughTheGenes
• Demystifying Genetics
• PhenoTips Speaker Series 
• Parálisis Cerebral Respuestas

If you have a science podcast and are interested in joining the network, go to GenePoolMedia.com and click the “Apply” tab at the top right. Or just email us directly at [email protected]. We’d love to chat with you about the benefits of joining the network.

Here and there we have been sharing episodes from other podcasts in the Gene Pool Media network right here on DNA Today. 

 

Connect With Us:

Would you like to be a guest on Gods and Genes? Email your pitch to Amber at [email protected] or [email protected]. 

Get ready, genetic nerds, another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 365 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. The Graphic Designer of the new Gods and Genes logo is Safiah Peeran. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

We’re back from the 44th National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Annual Conference, which took place this year in scenic Seattle, Washington! Between the waterfront views, lively poster sessions, and packed educational symposia, the energy was electric as genetic counselors and industry partners came together to celebrate the progress and future of our field.

This marks the 7th year in a row that DNA Today has produced an NSGC recap episode, and it continues to be our favorite conference of the year (shhh don’t tell the others). 

Our host Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM, spent the week attending sessions, reconnecting with past guests and sponsors, and meeting so many listeners in person (thank you to everyone who stopped to say hello!).

In this episode we conduct a few in-person lightning interviews featuring attendees of the conference highlighting their favorite sessions and what they learned. Attendees featured include Grace Drew, Celine Belekdanian, Sofia Sheikh, Cristina Liriano Cepin, and Kim Ta. 

Kira Dineen was one of six panelists for the preconference workshop, “Think Big, Start Small: A Practical Guide to Entrepreneurship”. After it wrapped she caught up with Kate Wilson to reflect on entrepreneurship as a career path for genetic counselors. Kate Wilson was the session coordinator and moderator. Kate’s two podcasts All Access DNA and DNA Dialogues are housed under our science podcast network, Gene Pool Media. 

Relevant Resources: 

NSGC Professional Status Survey (PSS)

DNA Dialogues, Journal of Genetic Counseling’s Podcast

All Access DNA

Gene Pool Media: The Science Podcast Network

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#232 Entrepreneurship in Genetics with Matt Tschirgi

#302 DNA Dialogues: Gender-Affirming Terminology and Hereditary Cancer Care

#307 NSGC 2024 Recap

 

Curious about other NSGC conferences? We have recapped the last seven years of conferences including 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. 

 

Don't forget to mark your calendars! The 45th NSGC Annual Conference is happening next year in Baltimore, MD from November 10-14, 2025. We are already excited to eat lots of crab cakes with fellow genetic counselors. 

 

What’s next on our conference schedule? We will be in New Hampshire for NERGG December 4th and 5th. Our host Kira Dineen will be presenting about how to utilize social and digital media in advocacy efforts. Check out the agenda here and register here, and if you are a student you get 50% off!

Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 350 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM. Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

The 11th annual Raw Science Film Festival took place this past weekend in New York City. We were lucky enough to be invited and had the honor of interviewing Dr. Larry Corey in-person. He is a renowned expert in virology, immunology and vaccine development who was featured throughout the film “Ending HIV: The Journey to a Vaccine”. The film won the Jury Award for Best Professional Documentary Feature at the festival. 

 

While at the festival our host/producer Kira Dineen accepted the Backstage Best Actor Award (Female) on Devin Sidell’s behalf. You may remember her from Episode #360 where we talked with her about her film “Love, Danielle” which is the first scripted feature film to explore the very real struggles of living with a BRCA gene mutation. 

 

The Guest: 

 

Dr. Larry Corey is the former president and director of Fred Hutch Cancer Center. His research focuses on herpes viruses, HIV, the novel coronavirus and other viral infections, including those associated with cancer. For 25 years Dr. Corey has led the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), the largest international research network focused on developing a safe and effective vaccine against HIV. In 2020 he was selected by Dr. Anthony Fauci to lead the CoVID Prevention Network to run the clinical trials for COVID-19 under Operation Warpspeed. The scientific work on HIV made it possible to achieve a COVID vaccine in record time. In turn, COVID vaccines gave us mRNA technologies and the ability to speed up vaccine development and save more lives. 

“Ending HIV: The Journey to a Vaccine” Documentary: 

 

This powerful and timely documentary masterfully chronicles one of the most significant scientific pursuits of our era, spanning decades of research and resilience.

 

Since the early 1980s, scientists, researchers, community organizers, faith leaders, and countless organizations have poured their lives into understanding and battling HIV — the most complicated virus medicine has ever faced.

 

When the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) was formed in the 1990s, an unprecedented global collaboration took shape. But until now, the tireless work across countries, races, genders, and disciplines had never been fully narrated on screen.

 

On This Episode We Discuss:

In this in-person conversation, Dr. Larry Corey discusses his extensive experience in vaccine development, particularly focusing on the challenges of creating an HIV vaccine compared to COVID-19. He highlights the genetic diversity of HIV, the evolution of vaccine strategies, and the importance of community engagement in research. Dr. Corey also emphasizes the impact of HIV research on broader scientific fields and addresses the ongoing issue of vaccine skepticism in public health.

 

• HIV's genetic diversity complicates vaccine development significantly.
• Understanding immune evasion strategies is crucial for creating effective vaccines.
• The evolution of vaccine strategies has shifted focus from T cells to B cells.
• Infrastructure built for HIV research facilitated rapid COVID-19 vaccine development.
• Community engagement is essential for successful vaccine trials and public trust.
• HIV research has led to advancements in other areas of medicine and science.
• Continued funding for HIV research is critical for future breakthroughs.
• Vaccine skepticism poses a significant challenge to public health initiatives.
• Engaging with communities can help combat misinformation about vaccines.
• An HIV vaccine may be achievable within the next few years.

Relevant Resources: 

• Watch the full documentary “Ending HIV: Journey to a Vaccine” on their website here
• Learn about the HIV Vaccine Trial Network here
• Learn more about the science behind HIV research here
• See the road of the HIV milestones here
• Find out if there's a study clinic near you here, their studies are conducted at over 40 research sites across the United States
• Find out more about volunteering for a study here
• Access information about The Fred Hutch Cancer Center here
• Check out the Raw Science Film Festival here
• Brand new paper published on October 25th (the day we recorded) that Dr. Corey referenced.
  • Youyi Fong, Yunda Huang, Ying Huang, Wayne Woo, Alice McGarry, Germán Áñez, Lisa M Dunkle, Iksung Cho, Christopher R Houchens, Karen Martins, Lakshmi Jayashankar, Flora Castellino, Christos J Petropoulos, Andrew Leith, Deanne Haugaard, William Webb, Yiwen Lu, Chenchen Yu, Lindsay N Carpp, April K Randhawa, Michele P Andrasik, James G Kublin, Julia Hutter, Maryam Keshtkar-Jahromi, Tatiana H Beresnev, Carina A Rodriguez, Milagritos Tapia, Christine B Turley, Carmen D Zorrilla, Stuart H Cohen, Susan E Kline, Elizabeth Barranco, Lawrence Corey, Kathleen M Neuzil, Dean Follmann, Julie A Ake, Cynthia L Gay, Karen L Kotloff, Thomas Jones, Richard A Koup, Ruben O Donis, Peter B Gilbert, on behalf of the Immune Assays Team, the Coronavirus Vaccine Prevention Network (CoVPN)/2019nCoV-301 Principal Investigators and Study Team, and the United States Government (USG)/CoVPN Biostatistics Team, Analysis of Antibody Markers as Immune Correlates of Risk of Severe COVID-19 in the PREVENT-19 Efficacy Trial of the NVX-CoV2373 Recombinant Protein Vaccine, Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2025;, ciaf558, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaf558 

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#67 Daniel DeFabio on Disorder: The Rare Disease Film Festival

#110 Gattaca, 22 Years Later

#151: Richard Michelmore and Brad Pollock on COVID-19 Variants

#154 Kenneth Kovan & David Berd on Haptenized Vaccines

#306 NIH’s Dr. Francis Collins’ Leadership in the Human Genome Project and COVID-19

#328 Breakthrough Biotech: CAR-Ts for Solid Tumors & Engineered Bacteria for Rare Diseases

#360 Hereditary Breast Cancer on the Big Screen with “Love, Danielle”

#363 ASHG 2025 Recap: AI Diagnostics, Genetics Publications & Losing NIH Funding 

We will see many of you next week in Seattle for the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) annual conference. If you are attending and want to be featured on the show, meet us at the end of “Passport to Prizes” where we will record quick sound bites on what you learned at the conference to be included in our NSGC recap episode. 

Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 360 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

On DNA Today, we spend a lot of time talking about genetic testing in the U.S., but what does this look like in other parts of the world? Since it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re shifting our focus to Italy to explore how breast cancer genetic testing is being implemented there.

We’re joined by two expert guests:

Dr. Beatrice Salvatori, is a Scientist and Project Manager at Negedia, where she leads oncology-related projects and develops new research initiatives. With a PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology, her career has spanned bioinformatics, breast cancer research, and now applying cutting-edge sequencing to expand access to hereditary cancer testing in Italy.

Dr. Javier Batista Perez is a DCS Specialist at MGI Tech. For those that don’t know, DCS stands for "DNA Sequencing", "Cell Omics", and "Spatial Omics". With expertise across biophysics, bioinformatics, and therapeutic design, Dr. Perez brings deep knowledge of how MGI’s sequencing technologies are being applied across Europe and how they’re shaping the future of precision medicine.

Topics Covered in This Episode

• How lifestyle, environment, and genetics contribute to cancer risk
• Why breast cancer genetic testing is a major public health priority in Italy
• The five-gene panel (BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, PALB2, ATM) designed for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and why these genes were chosen
• How mutations (pathogenic variants) in these genes contribute to cancer risk
• Why Negedia partnered with MGI Tech and what makes the technology innovative
• Sequencing exons and select non-coding regions for more complete genetic risk analysis
• How variant databases have expanded, improving interpretation and curation
  The importance of cost-effectiveness in scaling genetic testing in national healthcare systems
• Unique barriers Italian patients face compared to the U.S. in accessing genetic testing
  The role of general practitioners vs. specialists in referrals for genetic testing in Italy
• Looking ahead:
  • Will Italy move toward population-wide BRCA screening?
  • Should more genes be added to future panels (TP53, RAD51C/D)?
  • How spatial transcriptomics and multi-omics may reshape hereditary cancer care
  • Biggest opportunities and challenges for scaling genetic testing globally

Resources: 

Negedia

MGI’s Sequencing Platforms 

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episodes:

#25 Cancer Hereditary Experts Amy Byer-Shainman, Ellen Matloff & Georgia Hurst 

#165 Sequencing for Cancer Risk with Sandra Balladares

#159 Black Cancer Genes on Breast Cancer with Dena Goldberg (Dena DNA) & Erika Stallings

#211 The Genome Defense’s Author Jorge Contreras On The Supreme Court Case for Gene Patents

#309 Netflix’s Sandra Lee on her Breast Cancer and “Blue Ribbon Baking Championship”

#311 Mock Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Genetic Counseling Session

#355 How Genomics Is Transforming Rare Disease Diagnosis in Turkey with MGI Tech

#360 Hereditary Breast Cancer on the Big Screen with “Love, Danielle”

 

Fact Check:
Kira was correct when she quoted 1 in 8 people assigned female at birth will develop breast cancer in their life, according to The National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. 

 

Connect With Us:
Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 350 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

We just wrapped an incredible week at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2025 Annual Meeting in the historic Boston, Massachusetts! This year’s gathering brought together thousands of geneticists, clinicians, and innovators to share discoveries that are reshaping the field. 

In this episode of DNA Today, host Kira Dineen takes you inside the conference experience, from lively poster sessions and thought-provoking sessions to spontaneous hallway conversations that sparked new ideas. You’ll hear from researchers pushing the boundaries of genomic medicine, genetic counselors reflecting on the future of the profession, and industry leaders unveiling the latest breakthroughs in sequencing and data interpretation.

The energy in Boston was electric, collaboration and networking were the keywords of the week, and optimism about the future of genetics filled every session. Whether you attended in person or are catching up from afar, this recap captures the highlights, trends, and takeaways that defined ASHG 2025.

 

Sessions Recapped & Conference Aspects Explored:

Ivy Bethea’s presentation, “Comparing the Diagnostic Capability of Large Language Models and Clinical Geneticists,” was discussed. She was the first genetic counseling trainee to deliver a plenary talk at the conference. Ivy Bethea is a recent graduate of the The Columbia University Program in Genetic Counseling. 

 

We also teamed up with Wiley Advanced Portfolio to co-host a breakfast where our host Kira Dineen moderated a panel exploring the publishing landscape in genetics. Highlights from this session were recapped and reflected upon. 

 

The expert that holds the record for most guest appearances on DNA Today is Dr. Eric Green, who received the prestigious and well deserved ASHG 2025 Leadership Award. We reflect on his acceptance speech filled with wisdom for genetic experts to be leaders. We recognized the absence of many of his colleagues at the NIH as they were not permitted to travel to the conference during the US government shutdown and the impact it had at the conference overall. We also discussed how funding has drastically changed from the NIH and how that is affecting genetic research in the US. 

 

Guests:

Dr. Yuming Hu is a scientist turned publisher who serves as part of the editorial leadership at Wiley’s Advanced Portfolio. She has ten years of research experience, focusing on plant biology and environmental sciences. Before joining Wiley in 2022, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Tsinghua University, China. She had also worked as a research assistant at the University of California, Davis. Yuming obtained her Ph.D. in biochemistry and biotechnology from Ghent University, Belgium. She studied biotechnology, and got her M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees from Wageningen University, the Netherlands. Yuming brings a global and cross-disciplinary perspective to how research is shared, discovered, and amplified.

Dr. Elizabeth Bhoj is an attending physician and researcher at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Her work focuses on discovering new genetic disorders, understanding how they work, and developing targeted therapies, bringing hope to families facing rare diseases. At the conference, she was the recipient of the ASHG Early Career Award, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to human genetics.

Alex Bates is a science communications expert with 20 years of experience leading national, metric-driven campaigns across government, nonprofit, and startup sectors. She is co-founder of The Science Underground, LLC, which crafts culturally competent, science-backed communications for early-stage startups and major consortia. Most recently, she served as Communications Director at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), where she led award-winning outreach on topics like the history of eugenics and helped establish NHGRI’s global reputation for innovative public engagement, work that ended with the April 1 HHS layoffs. Alex previously led communications for the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Directorate and BRAIN Initiative, earning Director’s Awards for both Excellence Pioneer and Diversity and Inclusion, and managed BrainFacts.org, a $1.2M science education initiative. She holds master’s degrees in journalism and astronomy, and a bachelor’s degree in physics and English.

 

Science Communication Resources:

• The Science Underground, for all your science communication consultation needs
• “Public Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Genetics and Genetic Testing” in Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers 
• Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T)
• NHGRI symposium confronts difficult pasts of eugenics and scientific racism
• NHGRI’s Human Genome Fact Sheet 
• NIH’s Tribal Health Research Office 

Publishing Resources: 

• Wiley Advanced Portfolio 
• Wiley’s Journal Finder
• Genetics and Genomics: Advanced Science Collection 
• Precision medicine: From new tools to innovative applications: Advanced Portfolio Cross-journal Collections
• Wiley's AI guidelines for Authors
• What Makes a Successful Submission Wiley Blog Post
• Eligibility for access to Research4Life 
• Wiley Announce Team of Editors to Lead Advanced Portfolio Journals Expansion into Life Health Sciences
• Wiley Expands Advanced Journal Portfolio into Life and Health Sciences Deepens Physical Science Offering

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

#182 Eric Green on the Complete Human Genome Project 

#183 Dr. Miga and Dr. Phillippy on the Telomere to Telomere (T2T) Consortium

#214 Genetics Wrapped 2022

#260 PhenoTips: Population Genomics in Clinical Practice

#266 Genetics Wrapped 2023

#306 NIH’s Dr. Francis Collins’ Leadership in the Human Genome Project and COVID-19

#314 ASHG 2024 Recap

#337 How to Get Your Research Published: Insight from Wiley’s Advanced Portfolio Journal Editors 

#318 Genetics Wrapped 2024

#345 How To Talk About DNA Without Losing People: Strategies Part 1

#350 How To Talk About DNA Without Losing People: Strategies Part 2

#361 The Economics of Genetic Counseling: Policy, Industry & Career Advice

 

Stay tuned for a future episode where Drs. Yuming Hu and Elizabeth Bhoj return to the show to share more insight into the science publishing world. 

 

Also we hope to see you in Seattle for the next national genetics conference, National Society of Genetic Counselors which kicks off on November 6th with pre-conference workshops including one with our host Kira Dineen, “Think Big, Start Small: A Practical Guide to Entrepreneurship”. 

 

Brush up on your French before next year’s ASHG conference, we are heading to Montréal, Canada in October 2026!

Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 360 episodes? That’s right, we have enough episode for you to listen to one a day for a year, and still have more to go! Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. 

What if we could detect structural changes in DNA that traditional tests often miss? On this episode of DNA Today, we’re diving into optical genome mapping (OGM), a cutting-edge technology transforming how we detect genetic variants and structural abnormalities. We’ll explore what OGM is, how it compares to existing genetic tests, and what it means for patients and families worldwide.

 

Our guest is Dr. Nikhil Sahajpal, Assistant Director in the Cytogenetics and Molecular Laboratories at the Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) in Greenwood, SC. He led the validation of OGM at GGC. 

 

He earned his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in India before completing postdoctoral training at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia, where he focused on advancing molecular and cytogenetic methodologies for prenatal, pediatric, and oncology applications. During his time there, he also played a key role in establishing FDA/EUA-approved diagnostic testing and research for COVID-19.

 

Dr. Sahajpal began his Laboratory Genetics & Genomics fellowship at GGC in the summer of 2022. During his fellowship, he trained extensively in the implementation and interpretation of molecular and cytogenetic diagnostic tests and led the development and validation of a novel clinical test, optical genome mapping.

 

Now as an Assistant Director, Dr. Sahajpal continues his innovative work while advancing GGC’s mission of providing state-of-the-art diagnostic tools along with compassionate care for patients and families affected by genetic disorders.

 

In this conversation, we explore:

 

• OGM basics – what it is, how it works, and why it matters
• Why Greenwood Genetic Center adopted OGM and Dr. Sahajpal’s role in leading the project
• How OGM compares to karyotyping, microarray, FISH, and NGS
• The resolution advantage of OGM and its impact on clinical care
• Early success stories where OGM provided answers missed by other methods
• Insights from GGC’s study on neural tube defects (NTDs), including the discovery of candidate genes (RMND5A, HNRNPC, FOXD4, and RBBP4)
• How OGM could help reduce the diagnostic odyssey for rare disease patients
• The future of OGM – will it replace traditional cytogenetic techniques or work alongside them?

 

Relevant Resources: 

 

• Greenwood Genetic Center’s Optical Genome Mapping – Complete and Targeted 
• Study Using OGM in Neural Tube Defects Reveals Previously Unreported Variants and Candidate Genes with Potential Links to the Devastating Birth Defect
• Sahajpal Completes Laboratory Fellowship at GGC and Joins Faculty
• Sahajpal NS, Mondal AK, Singh H, Vashisht A, Ananth S, Saul D, Hastie AR, Hilton B, DuPont BR, Savage NM, Kota V, Chaubey A, Cortes JE, Kolhe R. Clinical Utility of Optical Genome Mapping and 523-Gene Next Generation Sequencing Panel for Comprehensive Evaluation of Myeloid Cancers. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jun 16;15(12):3214. doi: 10.3390/cancers15123214. PMID: 37370824; PMCID: PMC10296552.

 

Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:

• #145 Greenwood Genetic Center on Epigenetics
• #279 Reflecting on 50 Years of Greenwood Genetic Center
• #355 How Genomics Is Transforming Rare Disease Diagnosis in Turkey (discusses dual diagnoses) 

Get ready, genetic nerds—another brand-new episode of DNA Today drops this Friday! You can always count on us to deliver fresh content every Friday. 

While you wait, why not dive into our library of over 350 episodes? Binge them all on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever you love to listen—just search “DNA Today.”

Prefer watching? We’ve got you covered! For the past four years, we’ve been recording episodes with video, including some filmed at the iconic NBC Universal Stamford Studios. Check them out on our YouTube channel! 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM . Our Video Lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our Social Media Lead Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), BluSky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].