Class of 2008

Jennifer Barrick graduated from Michigan State University in 2006 with a BS in Microbiology and a concentration in Molecular Genetics. While at MSU, she worked in an immunogenetics lab studying MMP-9 gene expression in bovine neutrophils. She also spent time volunteering for the MSU Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention team (SACI)—an advocacy group and sexual assault crisis hotline. She also participated in Wayne State University 's Summer Undergraduate Research Program in 2005. Jennifer is originally from Wixom , MI , and in her free time she enjoys traveling, golf, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Lindsey Bennett earned her BA in Psychology from Oakland University in 2002. She worked as a teaching assistant at Wayne State University during the 2003-2004 school year. She taught undergraduate psychology labs during this time. Lindsey also worked at a rehabilitation center for children with traumatic brain injuries. She enjoys spending time with her daughter, Alivia. She also enjoys going to the movies.

Jacqueline Gauthier earned her BS in Biology from the University of Michigan in 2006. At U of M she conducted research on the growth of neural stem cells in a biopolymer coating for brain probes. She also worked for a medical device company in Ann Arbor , helping them gain FDA approval for Phase I clinical trials of a new product to treat aneurysms. Following her graduation, Jackie volunteered at Planned Parenthood in Ypsilanti . She was also one of the coordinators of an annual road race to benefit Mott Children's Hospital. In her free time, Jackie enjoys running, cooking, and traveling.

Sarah Kramer graduated from the Lyman Briggs School at Michigan State University with a BS in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. During her time at MSU she was on several student advisory committees and worked for the MSU genetic counselors. Her advocacy experience was volunteering for MSU's Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention program. Sarah is originally from Brighton , MI , and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Lindsey Stott graduated from Michigan State University in 2006 with a BS in Zoology and a concentration in Genetics. During her undergraduate study, she worked for the genetic counselors at MSU and AFP lab. She also worked in a cell and molecular biology lab researching the cellular changes that take place with prostate cancer. Her advocacy experience includes volunteering at a domestic violence shelter called Safe Place . Lindsey is from Sterling Heights , MI , and in her spare time she enjoys training her puppy, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Emily Swan graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 with a BS in General Biology. Before entering the genetic counseling program, Emily worked as a research assistant in the department of Neurology at Wayne State University . Her responsibilities included maintaining a database of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and helping out in the CMT Clinic at the Detroit Medical Center . Emily is originally from Royal Oak , Michigan . In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and figure skating.

Class of 2009

Tiara Johnson earned her BS in Biology with an emphasis in Genetics curriculum from Grand Valley State University in 2006. During her undergraduate study, she worked as an intern for the genetic counselors at Spectrum Health. Tiara participated in several advocacy opportunities including Planned Parenthood and Healthy Start, a program designed to provide childcare resources to first-time parents at risk for unhealthy behaviors. She also served as team captain in a Relay for Life group. In her spare time, Tiara enjoys internet shopping, house hunting, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.

Kelly Keener graduated from Wayne State University in 2006 with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Biological Sciences. As an undergraduate, she worked as an academic tutor for students enrolled in biology, genetics, anthropology, and Spanish courses. Kelly also co-founded a student organization to promote the translation of scientific research into public knowledge and to encourage communication between research scientists and the public. During this time, she also volunteered with Hospice of Michigan as a patient services volunteer. In her free time, Kelly enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the movies, and attending sporting events.

Mary Nyhuis graduated from Calvin College in 2006 with a BS in Biology and an additional emphasis in Psychology. At Calvin, she was on various extracurricular committees and served as an academic tutor in math and science. Before beginning her training at Wayne State, she spent a year researching chemopreventive agents to treat colon cancer using a murine model of familial adenomatous polyposis at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare. Mary is originally from Holland, MI, and in her free time she enjoys traveling, boating, reading, and crafts.

Preethi Premkumar graduated from All Saint’s College, India, with a Bachelors degree in Zoology. She then earned her Masters in Medical Genetics from the University of Glasgow, UK in 2002. After her graduation, she worked as a senior research assistant on a Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Project in India and later, volunteered as a research assistant at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. Her advocacy experience includes volunteering at a crisis hotline in Michigan. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and learning about other cultures.

Abbey Putnam graduated from Alma College in 2006 with her BS in Biology. While at Alma, Abbey worked as a teaching assistant in the biology labs. For her advocacy experience, she volunteered at Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan and Griffin Place 211/HELPLINE (a crisis and information hotline) after graduating from Alma. Abbey is originally from Union City, MI, and enjoys traveling, music, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Kate Zellmer, from New Berlin, Wisconsin, graduated with a BS in Genetics from UW-Madison in 2006. Before entering the genetic counseling program she was hired as a clinical assistant for Planned Parenthood Association of Utah in Salt Lake City. While in Utah she became involved in community awareness programs promoting safer sex practices and HIV screening and was an activist for Women's Rights. She was also in charge of the Vaccines for Children program which provided necessary vaccines for under-insured and uninsured children. In her free time Kate enjoys traveling, bowling, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her cat, Zoe.