Students

Srinka Arora

Srinka grew up in India, surrounded by rich cultural and traditional heritage that impacted her outlook on life. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and a Master's degree in Human Genomics from Indian institutions. After her Master's studies, she dedicated her time as a full-time volunteer at an NGO, CanKids.... KidsCan, where she learned counseling skills from a senior psychologist. She also completed a Master's in Psychology to deepen her understanding of behavioural sciences.

To enhance her practical experience in genetic counseling, she completed a six-month Observership-cum-Training at Kamineni Hospital, India followed by clearing Board of Genetic Counseling, India level 1 and 2 certification exams. Additionally, she has worked as a Research cum Technical Assistant at Goethe University, focusing on biomedical research, and has volunteered with 1Life, an Indian NGO providing hotline counseling and crisis intervention services. Srinka is excited to be a graduate student in Genetic Counseling at the University of Rochester, seeing this as an incredible opportunity and looking forward to seeing where it takes her.

Outside of her professional life, she enjoys reading, exploring new places, and has a strong passion of doing Indian tribal art, that feels like meditation to her. Her upbringing back home fostered an open-minded and adaptable mindset that motivates her to broaden her knowledge and continuously strive for self-improvement. Being a part of the University of Rochester is a step towards adding on to her kaleidoscope of experiences, to grow and help the world around her.

Abigail Hamilton

Abigail graduated from Purdue University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Brain and Behavioral Sciences and a minor in Biological Sciences. During her college years, she worked as a mental health technician, volunteered as a crisis counselor for LGBTQ youth, and did research on the risk factors of Autism Spectrum Disorder. After graduating, she took a gap year while applying for genetic counseling programs to work as an oncology nursing assistant in her hometown of South Bend, Indiana.

Because of her background, Abigail is passionate about the specialties of cancer genetics and neurogenetics, but is expanding her knowledge and experiences in the many additional specialties offered at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Abigail enjoys spending time with her wonderful friends, partner, and family, taking walks during beautiful Indiana sunsets, reading fantasy novels, and finding the best places to eat in Rochester.

Jordan Lehman

Jordan graduated from St. John Fisher University in 2021 with her Bachelor of Science in Biology and minors in Chemistry, Psychology, Spanish, and Spanish/Latino Culture for the Health Professions. Throughout her time as an undergraduate student Jordan was an active member on Fisher's campus as a student tutor, peer mentor, and undergraduate researcher in addition to competing for the Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams.

Jordan became a "Double Cardinal" in spring of 2023 after graduating from St. John Fisher University with a Master in Public Health. While completing her master's degree, Jordan continued competing for the SJF Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams and also worked as the Clinical Coordinator and Genetic Counselor Assistant for the Flaum Eye Institute's Ocular Genetics program at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

After she finishes her Master in Genetic Counseling, Jordan aspires to re-join the ocular genetics community as a Genetic Counselor to continue working with the patients and their families affected by inherited retinal dystrophies and other rare syndromic conditions affecting the eye. 

Aside from her professional interests, Jordan enjoys spending her free time outdoors during all seasons by hiking and skiing throughout the Northeast. She is very excited to continue her education here in Rochester and be a part of the University of Rochester's Genetic Counseling Program!

Elizabeth Masteller 

Elizabeth attended Pennsylvania State University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Biological and Health Professions Option with a Minor in Psychology. She has also obtained a Master’s degree in Cancer Biology from the University of Kent in England.

Prior to beginning the MSGC Program at the University of Rochester, Elizabeth’s career was in clinical and translational research. She has worked in clinical research at two cancer institutes and one pediatric orthopedics facility. She also worked in translational research in biobehavioral health at Penn State. She earned her Certified Clinical Research Coordinator credential in 2018.

She enjoys walking in nature, bike riding, swimming, cooking, reading, playing board games, exploring new places, and spending time with family and friends. She has a young nephew to whom she is godmother and a sweet, old dog named Rocky. Given that genetic counseling is a field that can have an immense impact on patients, she is thrilled to be entering this field. She looks forward to the impactful work she will do in this new career path.

Ben McPherson

Ben is from Oswego, New York and graduated from SUNY Geneseo in May of 2022 with a BA in Biology and a minor in Human Development. During his years at Geneseo he spent some time rowing in crew, began volunteering as a crisis counselor for the Crisis Text Line, and conducted research on the cooperation of selfish genetic elements in stalk-eyed flies.

After graduating, he began working as a Genetic Counseling Assistant for UBMD Pediatrics in Buffalo, New York. To prepare for genetic counseling training, he was able to interview and shadow genetic counselors, engage in webinars, take classes through the University of Cincinnati’s Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, and participate in the University of Iowa’s Genetic Counseling Mentorship Program.

In his spare time, Ben enjoys traveling and being outside, spending time with friends and family, and reading a good book. He is incredibly excited to be a part of the University of Rochester’s inaugural MSGC Program’s Class of 2025!

Emily C Miller

Emily grew up in Norman, Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma as an Oklahoma State Regents Scholar where she studied Biology and Psychology, with a minor in Music. Emily is an avid pianist and singer, and enjoys teaching beginning piano students and singing in community choirs in her free time. She also enjoys reading, painting, and crocheting while snuggling her tabby cat, Penelope. A coffee and tea enthusiast, she worked as a barista at her local library coffee shop. Emily values opportunities to participate in dialogue about improving genetic testing and counseling for underrepresented communities, and working with patients from diverse backgrounds.

In addition to genetic counseling, Emily is passionate about improving mental healthcare and spent much of her senior year of undergrad volunteering at an inpatient mental health facility in her hometown. As a founding member of the Acts of Kindness Association at her university, Emily is committed to bringing a little more “sunshine” to anyone she interacts with. Her previous work includes investigating the role of the Notch4 protein pathway in hormone therapy resistant ER+ breast cancer, as well as her publication, “An Artist’s Voice, a Healthcare Hand,” discussing how artwork can be used to explain genetic concepts to Indigenous communities in the Southwestern US. As part of the inaugural class in genetic counseling at the University of Rochester, she continues her pursuit of lifelong learning and is embracing new adventures in New York.