logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
32m 3s

#312 What is a Genome Health Analyst? Ex...

Kira Dineen
About this episode

We are learning about an exciting, newer career in the genomics field: genome health analyst. This role is rapidly gaining importance as the demand for interpreting personal genomic data continues to grow, and healthcare systems need more professionals trained to make this data clinically actionable. 

 

Joining us are Dr. Claire Davis and Anna Cantor, Co-Directors of the new Master's of Science in Genome Health Analysis program, which is a collaboration between NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Sarah Lawrence College. 

 

Claire Davis has worked with the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College for nine years in various capacities. She is now Director of Curriculum for the genetic counseling program and the Institute for Genomics, as well as co-director of the Genome Health Analysis master's program created in collaboration with NYU Langone's School of Medicine. Claire previously worked as a cancer counselor and assistant director of the genetic counseling training program at Mount Sinai. She earned her doctorate in adult education and leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, completing a dissertation on the professional learning of genetic counselors. She continues to volunteer for initiatives related to genetic counselors' learning and development.

 

Anna Cantor is the Program Director of Genetics Education at the Center for Human Genetics and Genomics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and co-director of the Genome Health Analysis Master’s program.. She is a board-certified genetic counselor with clinical experience in cancer and autoinflammatory genetics. . Throughout her career, Anna has trained genetic counseling students and  is now creating  education initiatives for graduate and medical students, as well as  healthcare professionals that aim to increase access to accurate genetics information throughout NYU Langone Health. Anna received her MS in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College and her MA in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She completed her BA Hons in Psychology from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • What motivated the creation of the MS in Genome Health Analysis program
  • Career opportunities for graduates in healthcare and genomics
  • The integration of bioinformatics, data science, and patient care in the role of a genome health analyst
  • How the collaboration between NYU and Sarah Lawrence College shapes the curriculum
  • Key courses that prepare students for real-world applications
  • Handling and interpreting vast amounts of genomic data
  • The significance of emerging ‘omics technologies and genome variant interpretation
  • Application tips for prospective students, including types of experiences to prepare them

Going to be at ASHG 2024? Come find Anna Cantor on November 7th with her poster from 2:30-4:30pmMT! Our host Kira Dineen will also be at the conference. So be sure to say hi if you see her. And she is recording sound bites on what you learned at the conference.

 

You can learn more about the Master's of Science in Genome Health Analysis program here. You can contact Anna Cantor directly at Anna.Cantor@NYULangone.org and Dr. Claire Davis at CDavis@SarahLawrence.edu

 

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. 

 

DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our social media lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. 

 

See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to info@DNAtoday.com

Up next
Today
#362 Optical Genome Mapping: Detecting Structural Variants Missed by Traditional Tests
What if we could detect structural changes in DNA that traditional tests often miss? On this episode of DNA Today, we’re diving into optical genome mapping (OGM), a cutting-edge technology transforming how we detect genetic variants and structural abnormalities. We’ll explore wha ... Show More
28m 45s
Oct 3
#361 The Economics of Genetic Counseling: Policy, Industry & Career Advice
The third Connecticut Genetic Counselors' Association (CTGCA) Annual Educational Conference was held last Friday (September 25th, 2025) at the gorgeous Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut. Our host Kira Dineen resides in Connecticut and has been luc ... Show More
1h 2m
Sep 26
#360 Hereditary Breast Cancer on the Big Screen with “Love, Danielle”
What would you do if you learned your DNA carried a mutation that gave you up to an 85% lifetime risk of breast cancer? That’s the impossible decision at the heart of Love, Danielle, the first scripted feature film to explore the very real struggles of living with a BRCA gene mut ... Show More
31m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
452: Women's Health, Hormones + The Patriarchy - With Dr. Rachel Rubin
Welcome back to Therapy Chat! This week's guest is known internationally for her advocacy and expertise in women's health. I was so grateful to speak to Dr. Rachel Rubin about hormones, menopause, pelvic health and much more. If you identify as female or love someone who does, yo ... Show More
52m 36s
May 2024
Ep 37: Talking with patients about sad, bad and difficult things
This is Episode 37 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest, sponsored by Routledge Psychology. [Content warning: This episode centres around cancer. As such, it makes references to medical events and themes that some listeners may find d ... Show More
42m 8s
Jul 2024
Brian McFerron - EI in GI: Emotional Intelligence in Training and Your Career
Are you emotionally intelligent? In this new episode Drs. Temara Hajjat and Jason Silverman sit down with Dr. Brian McFerron to review what emotional intelligence is, and how it applies to medical training, healthcare practitioners and everyone as individuals. We also discuss way ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2023
131| Consciousness in Epilepsy – A Conversation With Dr. Hal Blumenfeld
Today we give you our conversation about consciousness in epilepsy with Dr. Hal Blumenfeld, Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Neurosurgery at Yale University. In addition to being a well-regarded teacher of neuroanatomy, Hal is also a researcher, with his primary focus be ... Show More
24m 45s
Aug 2024
444: Sandtray, Brainspotting + Expressive Therapies For Trauma with Dr. Julia Knach
This week's episode of Therapy Chat features Trauma Therapist Network member Dr. Julia Knach. Julia has worked for years with survivors of child abuse and is now the owner of a group practice North of Baltimore, Maryland as well as a training institute. In our conversation, Julia ... Show More
52m 40s
Jul 2024
Episode 285: Digital Data Collection with Caitlin Beltran, BCBA
In this episode learn how to simplify and streamline your data collection process using Google Sheets. Caitlin Beltran joins the podcast to give an overview of why digital data collection is helpful, how to get started with this setup, and tips for staff training and organization ... Show More
13m 37s
Apr 2025
Ep 40: Kink, community, and transformation
The massive variety of human sexual interests is a little mind-boggling. As what we consider to be sexually typical continues to be expanded and shaped by the internet and popular culture, psychologists are making efforts to research kinks and members of the kink community like n ... Show More
38m 12s
Jun 2024
484 - Compersion is a Spectrum with Dr. Marie Thouin
Today, Dr. Marie Thouin is back to talk about compersion and her new book on the subject.Dr. Marie Thouin is a Mindful Dating & Relationship Coach who supports people of all backgrounds and relational orientations to create intentional and vibrant love lives. She is a leading exp ... Show More
1h 4m