Equity in Genetics: Challenging the Legacy of Marginalization in Research and Clinic with Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC & Andrew Giles, MS, CGC

• This webinar will explore how genetic concepts, research, and clinical care can either advance equity or contribute to marginalization. It will examine ideas such as genetic essentialism and their historical and ongoing application in eugenics initiatives in the United States. This session will also highlight how genetic concepts reinforce oppressive power structures, particularly in the context of racism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism. The speakers will conclude by discussing strategies for community engagement in genetic research and clinical practice aimed at reducing harm and promoting equity.

  Level of Instruction: Basic

  

  Only the live session qualifies for CEUs but when possible, we host the recordings on our website and NSGC recommends participants to use their personal email instead of work email addresses to ensure they receive their CEU certificates.

  

  Ambry Genetics is approved as a provider for continuing education program by NSGC and ASCLS P.A.C.E ® Program.

Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC | Presenter

Assistant Professor at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC (she/her), is a genetic counselor, researcher, and assistant professor at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. She earned her Master’s in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Stanford University School of Medicine and was one of the inaugural research fellows in the GC-FIRST program at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on LGBTQIA+ care, and specifically, the intersection of gender-affirming care and cancer genetics, with an emphasis on community-engaged research to improve clinical practices. Kim was awarded the Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship for her work in this area. She also serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Genetic Counseling as a Deputy Editor and a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Integration. In recognition of her contributions to the field, she received the AGCPD Outstanding Clinical Supervisor Award in 2021 and the NSGC Leader in Cultural Advocacy Award in 2022.

Andrew Giles, MS, CGC | Presenter

Clinical Genomics Scientist at Ambry Genetics

Andrew Giles, MS, CGC (he/him) is a Clinical Genomics Scientist at Ambry Genetics. He earned his Masters in Genetic Counseling at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Prior to graduate school, Andrew worked as a genetic counseling assistant at GeneDx. Andrew is passionate about integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into laboratory genetic spaces and is committed to being an advocate and ally for those who are marginalized. His graduate school research, conducted in collaboration with Ambry Genetics, focused on reviewing exome sequencing reanalysis disparities among racial and ethnic groups. After graduating in 2023, Andrew joined Ambry as a Clinical Genomics Scientist, where he specializes in copy number variant analysis and microarray reporting.

Meghan Towne, MS, CGC, LCGC | Moderator

Genomic Science Liaison II at Ambry Genetics

Meghan attended Boston University School of Medicine for her graduate studies in Genetic Counseling. Her studies piqued her interest in the impact of innovative technologies on diagnosing and connecting families with rare genetic disorders. Meghan worked for seven years at Boston Children’s Hospital developing the institutional infrastructure for genomic sequencing and new gene discovery before joining Ambry in 2016. She has held several roles at Ambry including Exome Reporting, Clinical Research Investigator, and is currently on the Rare Disease Genomic Science Liaison team where she supports clinical education about rare disease testing options.