Current Students

Kasey Brennan, MS

Class of 2027

Capstone Title: Navigating through uncertainty: A netnographic study of mosaic embryo discussions in an online infertility community

I applied to UConn's GC PSM program because of the strong focus on building clinical experience and the structure of the online courses. I love the monthly seminars - from case conferences to guest speakers to journal clubs, the topics are always fascinating, the discussions are lively, and it is a great opportunity to interact with both students and practicing GCs in Connecticut.

Grace Foltz

Class of 2027 - LinkedIn Profile

Capstone Title: Perceptions and practices of prenatal genetic counselors related to intimate partner violence (IPV) screening and prevention.

I was drawn to UConn's Genetic Counseling PSM program since I'm from Connecticut and it is the first GC program offered in CT. I liked that the program was entirely remote and the clinical rotation options were diverse and primarily based in the Connecticut area. Going into the program, I was especially interested in the prenatal field. I had majored in Women and Gender Studies during my undergrad in addition to Biology, and had always had a passion for women's health and equity. At UConn, I got to take the Prenatal Genetics course in the fall of year one with Brittany Gancarz, and then rotate with her in the summer. This was an extremely valuable experience as I got to apply what I had learned in the course to my clinical skills. I could also take on more challenges such as applying advanced psychosocial skills, risk assessments, and making differential diagnoses. I learned so much about the prenatal field both in the course and the rotation with Brittany!

Joy Foster

Class of 2027 - LinkedIn Profile

Capstone Title: Navigating through uncertainty: Investigating How Adult Adoptees Perceive and Experience the Clinical Utility of Genetic & Genomic Services in the United States.

University of Connecticut's GC PSM program has always displayed itself as an uplifting and supportive environment. In the few short years of this program's existence, it has continued to produce successful and well-rounded leaders within genetic counseling. I found myself feeling inspired by the great strides these students have made and wanted to be a part of a program that will allow me to fully realize my potential within this growing field. One class that stood out to me was our Clinical Applications of Genetic and Genomic Technology course. This course differentiated between current and emerging technologies and their use in clinical practice. This course prepares students to rely on clinical indications to choose the best testing method, while also allowing students to stay informed of technological advances in genetics.

Nina Langton

Class of 2027 - LinkedIn Profile

Capstone Title: Primary Care Clinician Experiences and Barriers to Adoption of the Preventive Genetic Counseling Service

I was drawn to UConn’s GC PSM program because of the extensive clinical rotation opportunities, which have been incredibly valuable for my education. At UConn, students complete six rotations that provide exposure to a wide range of healthcare and non‑healthcare settings where genetic counselors work. Starting rotations in the spring of my first year has allowed me to learn from a variety of supervisors, develop confidence early in my training, and see a broad range of clinical cases that have reinforced what I’ve learned in class.

Reese McQueen

Class of 2027 - LinkedIn Profile

Capstone Title: Evaluating the Impact of a Traditional and Interactive Outreach Strategy on High School Students’ Interest in and Awareness of Genetic Counseling in Connecticut

I was drawn to UConn's GC PSM program because of the broad variety of experiences offered to the students. We get the opportunity to rotate in so many different specialties in hospitals across the state and even get the chance to supplement our clinical experience with an enrichment rotation. My experience rotating at UConn Health's cancer clinic was invaluable to me as it gave me the opportunity to practice independently as a genetic counseling student through indirect supervision. My supervisors uplifted me and allowed me to work directly one-on-one with patients of all backgrounds and indications.

Danielle Renzi

Class of 2027 - LinkedIn Profile

Capstone Title: Genetic Counselors’ Experiences with Single-Gene Noninvasive Prenatal Testing for Autosomal Recessive Conditions

I was drawn to UConn’s program because of the strong focus on clinical experiences, with opportunities to explore both traditional and non-traditional roles for GCs, as well as an enrichment rotation. As someone making a career change into genetic counseling, I was also drawn to the unique PSM emphasis on developing as a professional, which is integrated throughout coursework and clinic. I appreciated UConn’s focus on the expanding roles of GCs with new technologies and settings, along with the need to make services accessible. The class Communication through Case Review stands out to me as particularly valuable. The opportunity to share experiences from our current clinic rotation with classmates who are in different settings has created a really supportive environment. Clinic rotations have been the most meaningful part of this training for me so far, and I’ve appreciated being able to relate to and learn from my classmates along the way.

Kayllyn Senna

Class of 2027 - LinkedIn Profile

Capstone Title: Experiences, Perceptions, and Preferences Surrounding Gene Therapy Clinical Trials for Huntington’s Disease

I chose to attend UConn's GC PSM program because of the program's emphasis on professional skills and career development in combination with genetic counseling competencies. The opportunity to complete six core rotations is invaluable in maximizing learning and growth during a two year program. I was also drawn to UConn by the sense of community and inclusivity which was evident in both in-person and virtual interactions with program staff and students. My clinical rotation in General/Pediatric Genetics at Yale New Haven Health was especially valuable in building confidence and experience in the clinical setting. I had the opportunity to connect with patients and families living with rare disease as a part of a larger clinical team involving providers from many specialties. I also spent several days with the genetic counselor on-call and participated in inpatient genetics consults. This rotation pushed me to take on challenges outside my comfort zone and inspired an even deeper passion and appreciation for the genetic counseling profession.

Bridget Blevins, MPH

Class of 2028

What initially drew me in was the asynchronous and online nature of the program, but as I completed my application and my interviews, it seemed like the program leadership were really interested in getting to know all the students and their journeys to genetic counseling personally. This was something that I had not felt with other programs and interviews. I also am quite interested in the LEND fellowship that some of the genetic counseling students have participated in and really like the way the research projects are structured for the program.