This newsletter aims to facilitate communication within the Department of Human Genetics, and was conceived by the Research Retreat Committee in 2006. Please send items for the next edition to Linda Downes-Piazza at ldownes@vcu.edu.
Dadi Jiang received 3rd place in the Excellence in Cancer Research Poster Presentation Award at the Massey Cancer Center 2006 Research Retreat on June 16, 2006. The title of the poster presentation was “Analysis of p53 Gain-of-function Mutations in Transgenic Mouse Salivary Tumors".
Please welcome our new graduate students this year.
Ph.D.
Amy Adkins is a 2005 graduate of Virginia Polytech Institute University with a B.S. in Biology.
Chariyawan Charalsawadi is a 2005 graduate of Prince of Songkla University in Thailand with a M.S. in Biomedical Science. She also received her M.D. degree from the same university in 2002.
Brandon Lane is a 2004 graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Biology.
Anjana Narayanan is a 2005 graduate of Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute in India with a M.Sc. in Human Genetics.
Masters in Human Genetics
Belal Azab is a 2003 graduate of Jordan University of Science & Technology with a B.Sc. in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering.
Aaron Wolen is a 2006 graduate of University of Iowa with a B.S. in Psychology.
Certificate
Tim Bigdeli is a 2006 graduate of James Madison University with a B.S. in Biology.
Chris Chapman is a 2006 graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with a B.A. in Biology.
Ankita Patel is a 2005 graduate of University of California at Riverside with a B.S. in Biological Science.
Dong (David) Shin is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.S. in Forensic Science.
Masters in Genetic Counseling
Nora Alexander is a 2002 graduate of Penn State with a B.S. in Psychology. She is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is also participating in the VA-LEND program.
Stephanie Kozachek is a 2006 graduate of Rensselaer with a B.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysicis. She is from Clark, New Jersey.
Dagny Patton is a 2006 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.S. in Biology. She is from Richmond, Virginia.
Martha Thomas is a 2005 graduate of University of Virginia with a B.A. in Religious Studies. She is also a graduate of the Human Genetics Post Graduate Certificate Program and is participating in the VA-LEND program.
Jessica Waxler is a 2006 graduate of Vassar College with a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior. She is from Southhampton, Massachusetts, and is also participating in the VA-LEND program.
Arti Pandya
Second year of funding was approved through NYMAC (New York Mid Atlantic Consortium) for a study on case management of infants identified through the state newborn screening services.
She is also the Principal Investigator on a subcontract to VCU for a grant funded to Dr. Kathleen Arnos by the ACMG (American College of Medical Genetics) Foundation for “Distance Learning in Genetics for EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) Professionals.”
Dr. Nance recently presented an invited paper at the 11th International Congress of Human Genetics dealing with the possibility that the remarkable phenotypic variation in infants with congenital CMV infections may arise from genetic environmental interactions. Other participants in the Congress from VCU included our Dean whose research collaborator, Dr. Richard Spielman from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, presented the results of their research on polycystic ovary. Dr. Nance has ordered a CD for those who may wish to hear the Plenary talks, including an honorary address by Georgia Trench, a graduate of this Department, describing her research on cancer of the ovary.
Genzyme Genetics is sponsoring our annual state meeting for genetics professionals at the Jefferson Hotel on October 3, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This meeting is an opportunity for networking with others in the field, discussing current topics and issues in genetics, and learning about state programs and resources. Please see the meeting brochure in Room 11-005 for the agenda. For further information, please contact Heather Creswick, MS, CGC at 804-828-6245 or e-mail her at hcreswick@vcu.edu.
Rachel Gannaway is the new Director of the Master’s in Genetic Counseling Program.
Rachel Baughman Gannaway, MS, CGC, accepted the position of Director of the Master’s in Genetic Counseling Program, effective August 21, 2006. Please welcome Ms. Gannaway to her new position. She is a 1989 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Genetic Counseling Program and was the Prenatal Diagnosis Program Co-Coordinator at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for 10 years. Ms. Gannaway is a Charter Member of the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She has been involved in mentoring genetic counseling students and other medical professionals throughout her career. Ms. Gannaway looks forward to continuing the excellence in training that the VCU Master’s in Genetic Counseling Program is known for, and is committed to diversity in the field of Genetic Counseling as well as expansion of the professional roles available to genetic counselors.
Lauren Vanner Nicely completes 10 year tenure as Director of the Master’s in Genetic Counseling Program.
The Department expresses its sincerest thanks to Lauren Vanner Nicely for her leadership and dedication as Director of the Masters in Genetic Counseling Program for the last 10 years. She has overseen many changes in the evolution of the program over that decade. We are pleased that Ms. Vanner Nicely will be staying on at VCU part-time and will participate in counseling, research and of course some teaching. She and Rachel Gannaway will be working closely together this fall for a seamless transition.
Tim O’Dell leaves after 5 years of service.
Tim O’Dell, Grant Manager, recently left after 5 years of distinguished service. In addition to managing our sponsored program projects, Tim contributed significantly to upgrading and maintaining our departmental equipment and space inventories. In addition, he played a major role in timely completion of projects associated with our research development plan (RDP). Tim has accepted a Finance Manager’s position in the Department of Biology on the Monroe Park Campus. We thank Tim for his many contributions.
Thanks to Jean Thomas-Banks for nearly 15 years of service to the Department.
We extend our deepest thanks to Jean Thomas-Banks who has been our colleague, friend, and conscience for nearly fifteen years in the Department of Human Genetics. Jean will be across Broad Street in a new job with the Virginia Employment Commission at Old City Hall. She will also be working to complete her college degree through a program developed by St. Paul's College. Jean plans to continue her career progress in the human resources field. We know she will continue to make a major contribution wherever she is.
