Class of 2023

Alaina Acchione headshot

Alaina Acchione

NYMAC Fellow

Alaina is from Phoenixville, PA, and received a bachelor’s degree in both biology and psychology from Loyola University Maryland where she was a four-year member and captain of the varsity women's volleyball team. During college, Alaina was active on campus working as a peer tutor and participating in athletic leadership. She has worked as a crisis text line counselor and has experience as a research assistant with a focus in stem cell genes. In her free time, Alaina enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to concerts, and hiking. 

 

Sara Acosta Villarreal headshot

Sara Acosta Villarreal

NSGC Renal Special Interest Group Research Grant Award

Sara is originally from Monterrey, Mexico, and received a bachelor’s degree in genetics and genomics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During college, she completed a Global Health Studies certificate traveling to Ghana to learn about health and education systems. Sara has worked in general/metabolic genetics and as a bilingual responder on a sexual abuse and domestic violence helpline. She enjoys taking long walks around NYC with her dog, trying new food, and spending time with family and friends. Sara is fluent in Spanish and conversant in French, and is certified to provide health services in Spanish.

 

Nanzeeba Ahmad headshot

Nanzeeba Ahmad

Steinhardt-Goldman Scholar; Student Member, Admission Committee

NSGC Student/New Member Special Interest Group Research Grant Award

Nanzeeba was born in Bangladesh and grew up in Queens, NY. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in public health from SUNY Buffalo. During college, she studied abroad in Kingston, Jamaica, and served as a sexual assault and violence prevention counselor and a college access specialist for first-generation students. Nanzeeba has been a research assistant in gene regulation and behavioral neuroimaging. She enjoys fashion, photography, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family. She is fluent in Bengali.

 

Claudia Borodziuk headshot

Claudia Borodziuk

JEMF Student Research Grant Award; NSGC ART/Infertility Special Interest Group Research Grant Award

Claudia is from Landing, NJ, and received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a minor in neuroscience from Ramapo College. During college, she studied abroad in Bristol, England, and conducted research on blood protein and polymer interactions. Prior to graduate school, Claudia worked as a clinical laboratory assistant at a large medical center and volunteered as a crisis hotline counselor. She also has experience as a teaching assistant and mentor for the Upward Bound program. Claudia enjoys embroidery, movies, and baking for family and friends. She is proficient in Polish.

 

Amanda Chan headshot

Amanda Chan

Diversity Scholar

Amanda grew up in the Bay Area, California and received a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in environmental studies from Swarthmore College. During college, she was a member of the ultimate frisbee team and studied abroad in Queensland, Australia, conducting field research on reef ecology. Prior to graduate school, Amanda was a Parkinson’s disease research coordinator and co-facilitator of a Parkinson’s care partner support group. She enjoys biking around NYC, cooking, and hiking. Amanda is conversant in Spanish.

 

Carlos Dominguez Gonzalez headshot

Carlos Dominguez Gonzalez, MMS

Steinhardt-Goldman Scholar; Student Member, Admission Committee

Carlos is from Aguascalientes, Mexico. He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wofford College and a master's in management studies from Duke University. During college, he was a four-year member and captain of the men’s varsity soccer team. Carlos has worked as a crisis counselor and has experience in researching the effects of metabolic stress on synaptic plasticity and cognition, as well as conservation and ecotourism in Costa Rica, Peru, and Colombia. He spends most of his free time playing the guitar, photographing birds, and exploring the world with his family. Carlos is bilingual in English and Spanish, and conversant in German.

 

Andrew Freiman headshot

Andrew Freiman

Student Member, Curriculum Committee; My Gene Counsel Intern

NSGC Pediatrics & Clinical Genetics Special Interest Group Research Grant Award

Andrew is from Troy, MI, and received a bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology with a minor in computer science from Grand Valley State University. In college, he studied RNA expression in the moss species Physcomitrella patens and spent two summers investigating gene regulation in humans. Prior to graduate school, Andrew worked as a research fellow studying viral respiratory infections, asthma, and allergies at the US FDA. He has also worked with a suicide prevention and crisis center hotline. Andrew enjoys baking, horror movies, plants, and honeybees.

 

Anna Gao headshot

Anna Gao

Anna is from Davis, CA, and received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Scripps College. During college, she was the Editor-in-Chief of her college newspaper and worked as an undergraduate research assistant in marine science, cell biology, and phylogenomics. Anna was active on her college campus as a peer advocate for survivors of sexual assault, pre-health mentor, and sponsor for Asian American students. She has also volunteered in her community with the local migrant center and a meals and housing project. She enjoys trying new foods and is currently on the search for the best bowl of ramen in NYC. Anna is proficient in Mandarin and conversant in Spanish.

 

Courtney Leonard headshot

Courtney Gwynne

Courtney is from Blackstone, MA, and received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to graduate school, she worked as a multidisciplinary genetic counseling assistant and clinical research coordinator in cardiology. Courtney has experience as a teaching assistant and as a mentor for youth with disabilities. She also founded the Genetic Counseling Assistant Association. Courtney enjoys crosswords, yoga, and finding the best brunch spot in NYC.

 

Emma Mizrahi-Powell headshot

Emma Mizrahi-Powell

Diversity Scholar

NSGC Pediatrics & Clinical Genetics Special Interest Group Research Grant Award

Emma is from Los Angeles, CA, and received her bachelor's degree in neuroscience and behavior from Columbia University. During college, she was Vice President of Medical Brigades, volunteering at a community clinic and leading a medical service trip to Nicaragua. Emma founded a breast cancer awareness program in Bauchi State, Nigeria and worked on the editorial board of the Journal of Global Health. She was also a crisis counselor and active with a support organization for children impacted by cancer. After graduating college, she worked as a biology teacher at a school in Harlem. Emma enjoys music, art, searching for the best pizza in NYC, and spending quality time with loved ones. She is conversant in Spanish.

 

Cara Waterson headshot

Cara Waterson

Cara is from Albany, NY, and received a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Lawrence University where she was a four-year member and captain of the women’s varsity basketball team. Cara has worked as a cultural and language assistant in Spain, a research assistant, and a peer tutor. Before beginning graduate school, she worked as a biotech production specialist at a pharmaceutical company, as well as working with a local crime victim and sexual violence center. She enjoys exploring Central Park, trying out new restaurants, and attending local sports games. Cara is conversant in Spanish.

 

Samson Yuan headshot

Samson Yuan

Samson is from Boston, MA and received a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in psychology from Boston University. During college, he founded a professional biology fraternity, was a member of the men’s rugby team, and studied abroad in Auckland, New Zealand providing HIV testing with a non-profit organization. He has worked in research studying the regulation of immune genes, and has experience as a foster care panel reviewer, a crisis text line counselor, and with Camp Kesem. In his free time, Samson enjoys staying active and searching for new foods to try. He is proficient in Spanish, Cantonese, and Taishanese.