Our Students

Daysia Augustin

Daysia graduated from the University at Buffalo in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a minor in Psychology. While at college, Daysia founded and served as President of the UB Women’s Healthcare & Wellness Association, an on-campus undergraduate organization dedicated to educating the community and advocating for equitable healthcare. Daysia also worked as a tutor and peer mentor for the UB Upward Bound Program, an initiative committed to supporting high school students in the Buffalo area who are underrepresented in higher education. As a proud member of the UB Honors College, Daysia served as a peer mentor for incoming Freshmen. Furthermore, she was involved in two research labs: the Xu-Friedman Neuroscience Lab and the UB Child Health and Behavior Lab (HABLAB).

Daysia is originally from the Rochester area and is excited to return to her hometown for her master’s degree. Daysia hopes to increase accessibility to genetic counseling resources for underserved communities and to spread awareness about genetic counseling services.

In her spare time, Daysia enjoys reading books, building Legos, and playing board games with friends and family. She is a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and adores TV shows such as Game of Thrones, Criminal Minds, and The Vampire Diaries.

Stefania Cichella

Stefania graduated from York University in Toronto, Canada, in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a crisis counselor for two years, providing support to victims of sexual assault. Her passion for advocacy inspired her to develop a seminar on power, privilege and oppression to educate incoming volunteers. During this time, she obtained a Mental Health First Aid Certification, completed a Genetic Counseling Prep course from the University of South Carolina, and took a foundational counseling course at a local college to further develop her counseling abilities.

Stefania’s interest in genetics led her to volunteer and eventually work at the genetics clinic at North York General Hospital in Toronto. There, she gained experience shadowing various specialties, including an interdisciplinary Huntington's Disease clinic. After graduating, she took a gap year to work as an IVF assistant at a fertility clinic, where she deepened her interest in reproductive genetics. Stefania looks forward to learning how to best support patients through their reproductive journey, while exploring the many specialties that genetic counseling has to offer.

Outside of her professional life, she enjoys watching movies, staying active, and spending time with her loved ones. She is beyond excited about the future of genetics and making a positive impact on the lives of others through their health care journeys.

Irena Ciferri

Irena graduated from Binghamton University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a minor in Biological Anthropology. During her time at Binghamton, she volunteered with an outreach program called TOPSoccer, teaching children with disabilities how to play soccer, and was a teaching assistant for a genetics lab and a health and wellness course. 

After graduating, Irena worked as a direct support professional supervisor at a community-based day habilitation program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this position, she supported a group of individuals in being valued and contributing members of the community by teaching social and functional skills through a variety of recreational and volunteer activities. Being a direct support professional has strengthened her passion for supporting others and helped her embed compassion, empathy, advocacy, and inclusion into how she provides care. She is excited to continue providing direct support in the clinical setting and to explore advocacy and education roles within the field of genetic counseling. 

Irena loves spending time outdoors and staying active through various exercise activities. She also enjoys exploring new places and trying new restaurants and coffee shops. She appreciates spending time with family and friends and loves connecting with others through music. She is very excited to be a part of the University of Rochester Genetic Counseling Program and can’t wait for her future as a genetic counselor!

Mary Kearney

Mary graduated with her B.S. in Biology from Adelphi University in 2023. Volunteering as an ambulance driver and crisis counselor formed her interest in healthcare, and she decided to pursue genetic counseling after acceptance into the Columbia University Pre-Genetic Counselor Experiential Practicum.

In 2022, Mary became a student researcher with the Wildlife Endocrinology Laboratory of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, where she was awarded the Joseph Serio Research Award. As she studied psychosocial stressors to kiwi, an understudied species at high risk for extinction, Mary recognized the importance of spreading awareness about rare phenomena through scientific literature. This experience inspired her to pursue a role which encourages research and education as a genetic counselor.

After graduating, Mary spent her gap year working as a technical writer for an immigration company, where she helped prospective immigrants obtain their U.S. visas. She also worked as a camp counselor for a fifth summer, as she enjoys interacting with children and their families.

In her free time, Mary loves to read, create art, and spend time with her loved ones. She is beyond excited to begin her career in genetic counseling and looks forward to making a positive impact on the world around her through meaningful work, starting in the Rochester community.

Jennie Seidberg

Jennie grew up in Syracuse, New York and received her BA in both Biology and English: Creative Writing from the University of Rochester in 2024. Jennie is excited to be continuing her education at the U of R and working towards her goal of becoming a genetic counselor. During her undergraduate time, Jennie worked as a Genetic Counseling Assistant at Upstate Medical University in the Department of Neurology helping patients understand their testing results. She also volunteered at Strong Memorial Hospital in the Pediatric Inpatient Psychiatric Department, where she helped adolescent patients continue their education while inpatient.

Outside of academics, Jennie is an avid photographer. In school, Jennie was a part of the photography club and spent time covering drama and musical events on campus. She also loves gardening and spends the summer helping with the family garden. Jennie is also known to get lost into a good book and loves to write fiction in the fantasy genre. Jennie is thrilled to be joining the MSGC program for the class of 2026!

Katie Stevens

Katie graduated from the University of Maine in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a minor in Psychology. While she was there, she studied abroad in Cork, Ireland in Spring 2023 which she considers to be a transformative experience, so much so that she became a Peer Advisor to help other students go abroad. After her travels, she began her undergraduate thesis work attempting to develop a zebrafish model for Chronic Granulomatous Disease, a human genetic immunologic condition. She also began working as a Wish Granter with Make-a-Wish and has helped grant wishes for two children so far. 

She is excited to learn about all the various specialties of Genetic Counseling at the University of Rochester, especially pediatrics. Since completing her undergraduate thesis, she has become interested in working with patients and families with genetic immune conditions. She enjoys spending her free time outside, playing board games, and painting or coloring. Katie is excited to be joining the MSGC Class of 2026! 

Sky Weiss

Sky Weiss is a graduate from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD where he received B.A.s in Biology and Psychology. During undergrad, he worked as a laboratory teaching assistant and patient care tech at a behavioral health hospital where he discovered his desire to teach and help others during times of crisis.

After graduating, he continued to work at the hospital as a behavioral health tech, eventually becoming a lead on an adult psychiatry unit and sat on several hospital committees to help create positive change for both the patients and staff. To help create a better hospital experience for trans and gender-diverse patients, Sky created and presented a gender affirming care education to increase staff ability to provide tailored care. He spent over a year volunteering in a preschool and served as a volunteer in an English as a Second Language classroom. Sky is ecstatic to begin his adventure with genetic counseling and continue to help others in the clinical setting as well as through efforts in advocacy and policy.

Sky grew up spending a majority of his time in the musical arts like band and show choir. As a music geek, he enjoys singing and dancing in his free time and was previously a member in a queer-inclusive choir while in Sioux Falls. He loves to find local coffee shops, breweries, or wineries with cozy, homey vibes to relax and spend time with friends as well as new restaurants to try all kinds of food.

Marin Catino

Marin graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in May of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies with a minor in Chemistry. During her undergrad, Marin worked as a research assistant at Magee-Women’s Research Institute, investigating genetic factors that underlie idiopathic male infertility. She also gained clinical experience at Clover Genetics as a genetic counseling assistant intern.

Outside the classroom, Marin served as the President of Planned Parenthood Generation Action and co-founded You&MEI, a menstrual equity initiative supporting students living in residence halls. Additionally, she was a teaching assistant for genetics, studied abroad, and contributed to the Genetic Counseling Club newsletter.

In her free time, Marin enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and discovering new restaurants and coffee shops. She is excited to be part of the University of Rochester’s MSGC Class of 2027!

Nhi (Nancy) Do

Nancy grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Knox College in Illinois in December 2023. During her college years, Nancy served as a teaching assistant in both Psychology and Music, a peer educator, and a research assistant in labs focused on Programmable Biology, Cognitive Aging, and Psychopathology Assessment. She also participated in the Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop, hosted by the Medical College of Wisconsin, which has solidified her pursuit of a career in Genetic Counseling.

After graduation, Nancy worked as a Health Care Associate in Urology at the University of Kansas Health System, where she assisted healthcare providers with patient education, test ordering, analysis, and procedures. During her time there, she also shadowed and interviewed genetic counselors across various departments to deepen her understanding of the field. She also volunteered as a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line, where she supported individuals in moments of emotional distress. Nancy is deeply committed to using her Vietnamese fluency to provide culturally responsive care to Vietnamese-speaking patients.

Outside of academics and work, Nancy is an avid dancer and choreographer, having performed in campus dance productions and cultural showcases. Nancy also enjoys writing poetry and lyrics, exploring restaurants and cafes, and solving Escape Rooms with friends! Nancy is grateful and excited to begin this new journey with the University of Rochester and looks forward to embarking on her future career as a genetic counselor!

Maggie Eberhardt

Maggie grew up in Mission Viejo, California and graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in June of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and Society. Throughout her undergraduate journey, she worked as an academic tutor, a UCLA Library assistant, and was an active leader in UCLA Radio. She also completed an internship with the LA non-profit Happy Mama Healthy Baby Alliance where she helped connect pregnant individuals with low income to free birth support services.

After graduating, Maggie volunteered at a local hospital as a nursing assistant and worked as a temporary supervisor at University of California, Irvine Library before landing her role as a genetic counseling assistant with Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital. At Hoag, she has had the privilege of working intimately with genetic counselors in adult and cancer genetics. Her favorite part of working as a GCA was helping patients and families with known genetic syndromes navigate their care and advocating for their healthcare options.

Maggie is passionate about increasing accessibility to and education about genetic health and looks forward to working in diverse roles as a genetic counselor. In her free time, she loves cooking big meals with her friends and family, crocheting toys and clothes for her nephews, and playing music. She also enjoys exploring new places and spending time outdoors. Maggie looks forward to this adventure in genetic counseling and is excited to join the University of Rochester community!

Rianna Garlic

Rianna grew up in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from Binghamton University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Neuroscience and a minor in Forensic Health. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a special education teaching assistant, where she supported children with autism and developmental delays by helping implement individualized education plans. She also served as a teaching assistant for a college-level genetics course, where she enjoyed helping students understand complex concepts and discovered how much she loved communicating science in a way that made sense to others.

Rianna was a Speaking Center consultant, where she worked one-on-one with peers to help build their confidence in public speaking. She conducted research in a clinical psychology lab focused on OCD, anxiety, and sleep patterns. She gained exposure to the field of genetic counseling through shadowing experiences across various specialties, including prenatal, pediatric, cancer, metabolic, and neurogenetics, which confirmed her desire to support patients and families through compassionate, informed care.

Outside of academics, Rianna served as President of Wishmakers on Campus, organizing fundraisers to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, camping, and traveling, especially her time studying abroad in Florence, Italy. She also loves finding new coffee shops and spending time with friends and family. Rianna is passionate about combining her love of genetics and meaningful patient interaction, and she is thrilled to be joining the University of Rochester’s MSGC Class of 2027!

Breanna Laber

Breanna graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2020 with Bachelors of Science degrees in Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience, and Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology. During her undergraduate studies she worked as a Peer Wellness Educator and Teacher’s Assistant. She also co-founded and ran RIT’s first Irish dance club, Irish Roar.

Since graduation, Breanna has worked as NYS licensed Medical Technologists in the URMC Cytogenetics Lab. In this role she has gained proficiency in cytogenetics wetbench techniques and karyotyping. She also trains staff and has helped lead a project developing a new computer program for the lab. In 2025, Breanna completed the Clinical Genetics and Genomics Graduate Certificate program through the University of Connecticut. Breanna has volunteered with GiGi’s Playhouse, Crisis Text Line, and Restore Sexual Assault Services. Breanna’s work and volunteer experiences have developed into special interests in reproductive and clinical laboratory genetics.

In her free time, she is usually spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Ghillie. Breanna enjoys reading, learning new crafts, and taking dance classes. She’s excited to be a part of the U of R MSGC class of ‘27 and looks forward to a career in genetic counseling!

Maci Moses

Maci graduated from the University of California, Davis with two Bachelor of Science degrees in Genetics and Genomics and Biological Psychology and a minor in Sexuality Studies. During her time at Davis, she volunteered as a crisis counselor for the national suicide hotline and was a laboratory technician for the veterinary school’s anatomy laboratory. In these roles, she was able to learn more about the diverse cultural community in California and the different community resources available to people of all backgrounds.

After graduation, Maci became a genetic counseling assistant at the University of Rochester for the Medical, Pediatric, and Metabolic departments. This role provided her with valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to shadow in clinic, giving her a better idea of the role of a genetic counselor. Maci is excited to continue her passion for genetics in the MSGC program and to explore the correlation between genetics and the LGBTQIA+ community in her research.

When not immersed in her studies, Maci often finds solace in various creative outlets, including crafting, baking, and playing board games. She also loves hanging out with friends, exploring the community, and traveling to as many places as possible. Maci is excited to learn more of what Rochester has to offer and to make new lifelong friends with her fellow classmates.

Hailey Osika

Hailey graduated from Vassar College in 2023 with a B.A. in Biology and a correlate in Anthropology: Evolution and Culture. During her time at Vassar, Hailey was a supplemental instructor, board member for Gender Inclusivity in STEM, and a horticulture fellow for the National Park Service at the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites. Through these opportunities she has been able to expand her knowledge of communicating science and work with people of a variety of backgrounds, which fueled her desire to become a genetic counselor.

Most recently, Hailey was a genetic counseling assistant in the Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center at Boston Children’s Hospital, working to support various rare disease clinics and the neurogenetics team. She has also had the privilege of being involved in a variety of research projects at Boston Children’s including work on Kleefstra syndrome and CDKL5-deficiency disorder.

In her free time, Hailey loves to be outside gardening, going for a walk, or reading. She especially enjoys spending time with animals and has a particular affection for dogs and guinea pigs. Hailey is so excited to be a part of the University of Rochester Genetic Counseling Program Class of 2027 and continue her journey to becoming a genetic counselor!