Jennifer Rodstein, MS

Jenny was born and raised in Los Angeles. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCLA in 2019 with a BS in Human Biology and Society and a minor in Global Health. In her major, she developed a strong foundation in genetics and genomics while incorporating multidisciplinary perspectives to understand the dissemination and utilization of rapidly evolving genetic information within a broader societal framework. During undergrad, she also conducted clinical research for stroke treatments and organized health fairs to increase stroke education with Stroke Force, volunteered with the Bruin Belles Service Association, and supported the on-campus housing community as a Resident Assistant. After graduating, Jenny was a research assistant and behavioral coach in the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), an evidence-based social skills intervention for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She then presented her research at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities Conference and the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting. She also worked as a tutor for neurodiverse individuals as well as a medical scribe for a clinical and academic cardiologist in an outpatient clinic. Now, Jenny is excited to continue her education at UCLA as a Double Bruin! Her clinical and research goals as a genetic counselor include bridging gaps between genetic research developments and effective implementation into clinical practice, incorporating genetic counseling in emerging specialties for the advancement of precision medicine, and increasing access to genetic counseling in historically underrepresented and underserved populations. In her free time, Jenny enjoys dancing in all styles, reading adventure or fantasy books, and spending quality time with friends and family over ice cream.

Master's Research (Capstone) Project: Examining the Relationship Between Genetic Literacy and Personal Genetic Testing Utility Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Department: Human Genetics