Jake Plewa, MS

Jake is from the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated cum laude with honors from the University of California, Irvine in 2018 with a BS in Microbiology and Immunology. As an undergraduate, he investigated the clinical effects of Valosin Containing Protein (VCP) associated multisystem proteinopathy, a rare inherited disease known as VCP disease, and co-authored publications on his findings. Following graduation, he joined a global contract research organization and provided analytical research and testing in the medical device industry. Most recently, Jake returned to the Bay Area to work as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Stanford University School of Medicine. At Stanford, he managed infectious disease clinical trials, investigating COVID-19 therapeutic interventions and vaccines, including the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. Jake also worked with the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, conducting multicenter research studies evaluating cardiovascular genetic counseling outcomes. Outside of work, Jake tutored students at under-resourced schools in Silicon Valley and volunteered as a Disaster Service Worker during the pandemic, supporting efforts at local vaccination clinics. He was also an active volunteer at his local LGBTQ+ Community Center, leading the weekly Rainbow Bingo. Jake looks forward to challenging systemic barriers preventing access to genetic counseling services and the genetic counseling profession. During his spare time, he enjoys crosswords, hiking, creating stained glass art, and spending time with his cat.

Master's Research (Capstone) Project: Assessing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Presence: A Content Analysis of Genetic Counseling Graduate Program Websites

Department: Human Genetics