Highlights and Awardees

MS in Genetic Counseling Program Highlights and Awardees

First and second-year genetic counseling students coming together at the Team Hope Walk, proudly supporting the Huntington's Disease Society of Los Angeles.
Mariana Niell-Swiller, MS, CGC highlighted on cancer genetic counseling at UCLA. (https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/cancer-genetic-counseling-referral)
UCLA MS in Genetic Counseling Program provides learning opportunities about careers in the entry-level, allied health professions with the Turner-UCLA Health Internship Program. (https://www.uclahealth.org/communityengagement/turner-ucla-program)
Congratulations to Karla Luna on receiving a UCLA Latinx Studies Seed (LSS) Grant for her project titled, “Exploring Conversations of Genetic Risk in Latino Families with Huntington’s Disease.”

Awardees

MS in Genetic Counseling Program Award for Student Exemplary Research

(created in 2026)

Yein Ji (2026)
U.S. Medical Examiners' Perspectives on Integration of Postmortem Genetic Testing and Clinical Genetics Care Delivery in Sudden Death: A Qualitative Study

MS in Genetic Counseling Program Award for Student Distinguished Qualitative Research

(created in 2026)

Tara Marashi (2026)
Exploring the Diagnostic Experiences of Female Heterozygotes with X-Linked Alport Syndrome: A Qualitative Study

MS in Genetic Counseling Program Award for Student Distinguished Quantitative Research

(created in 2026)

Sarah Forman (2026)
Genetic Counselor Knowledge of Abortion Procedures: A Knowledge and Needs Assessment

MS in Genetic Counseling Program Award for Student Capstone Project

(restructured in 2026 into quantitative and qualitative award categories)

Shawna Julina (2025)
Prenatal Genetic Counselors’ Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices with Discussing Post-Natal Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Treatment Options
Marisa Matthews (2024)
Healthcare Providers’ Experiences and Knowledge of Hereditary and Hematologic Malignancy Syndromes
Aljoharah Alaskar (2023)
Experiential and Religious Factors Associated With Acceptability of Prenatal Testing Among Muslim Women in the US: A Cross-Sectional Study
Dayna Richards (2022)
The Role of Psychosocial Factors in Black Women’s Engagement with Genetic Counseling and Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

MS in Genetic Counseling Program Award for Exceptional Impact

(formerly the Award for Exceptional Contributions)

Aparna Murali, MS, CGC (2026)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Nicholas Gorman, EdD, MPH (2025)
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Human Genetics
Rebecca LeShay Araujo, MS, CGC (2024)
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Human Genetics
Janet Sinsheimer, PhD (2023)
Professor
Human Genetics
Clara Lajonchere, PhD (2022)
Adjunct Professor
Neurology
Naghmeh Dorrani, MS, CGC (2021)
Associate Clinical Professor
Pediatrics

MS in Genetic Counseling Program Award for Excellence in Teaching

(incorporated into the Award for Exceptional Impact in 2025)

Niroshi Senaratne, PhD (2024)
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Aparna Murali, MS, CGC (2023)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Jessica Kianmahd Shamshoni, MS, CGC (2022)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Pediatrics

MS in Genetic Counseling Program Award for Excellence in Fieldwork Supervision

Ashleigh Hansen, MSc, CGC (2026)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Cedars-Sinai
Zina Tatsugawa, MS, CGC (2025)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Olive View UCLA Medical Center
Ahna Rabani, MS, CGC (2024)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Pediatrics
Tara Jones, MS, CGC (2023)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Cedars-Sinai
Aparna Murali, MS, CGC (2022)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Genetic Counselor Educators Association Outstanding Fieldwork Supervisor Award from MS in Genetic Counseling Program

Ashleigh Hansen, MSc, CGC (2026)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Cedars-Sinai
Zina Tatsugawa, MS, CGC (2025)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Olive View UCLA Medical Center
Ahna Rabani, MS, CGC (2024)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Pediatrics
Tara Jones, MS, CGC (2023)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Aparna Murali, MS, CGC (2022)
Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Alumni and Student Publications

Chang et al. (2024) Exploring the role of digital tools in rare disease management: An interview-based study. Journal of Genetic Counseling. Epub 13 May 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1908
Gentile et al. (2025) Evaluation of prenatal genetic counselors' abortion education and training as variables associated with self‐efficacy. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 34 (2), e2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.2019
Lin et al. (2024) Cultural, demographic, and other non-demographic factors associated with cancer genetic counseling patients’ appointment accompaniment preferences in the United States. Journal of Genetic Counseling. Epub 02 July 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1942
Morgan et al. (2024) Exploring perceptions of genetic counseling student-run free clinics as an innovative service deliver model to increase access to genetic counseling services. Journal of Genetic Counseling Epub 24 Sept 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1966
Shah et al. (2025) Preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic disorders: Viewpoints of reproductive genetic counselors and reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists in the United States. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 34, e70072. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgc4.70072
Torres et al. (2025) Assessing perceived empathy based on genetic counselor gender using a randomized, hypothetical prenatal genetic counseling scenario design. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 34, e70054. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.70054
Jurlina et al. (2025) Prenatal genetic counselors' attitudes, beliefs, and practices with discussing postnatal Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment options. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 34, e70127. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgc4.70127