Thesis/Research Project
Students are expected to propose and complete a clinically-oriented or laboratory based research question that includes study design, collection of data (where applicable), data analysis, and a written thesis. Projects are developed during the Approaches to Research course work. A written thesis in publication ready format and an oral defense of the thesis are required for graduation. Over 75% of the thesis projects have been presented at national meetings and 65% published in peer reviewed journals. Abstracts and thesis titles from 2002 to the present are listed below.
Class of 2019 |
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| Alexa Bream | Metabolic Control, Quality of Life, and Body Image in Patients with Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia |
| Peyton Busby | Exploring the Potential Yield of Prenatal Testing by Evaluating a Postnatal Population with Structural Abnormalities |
| Georgiann Garza | Exploring Experiences & Expectations of Prenatal Healthcare and Genetic Counseling/Testing in Immigrant |
| Emily Krosschell | Impacts of Insurance and Billing Considerations on the Practice and Attitudes of Genetic Counselors |
| Allison Moats | Hypoglycemia in Mitochondrial Disorders |
| Samantha Montgomery | Identifying Interest in and Barriers to Psychiatric Genetic Counseling |
| Carol Nowlen | Identifying Pathogenic Variants in Hereditary Cancer Syndrome Genes Via Tumor Molecular Profiling |
| Cayleen Smith | Termination for Fetal Anomaly: What is the Impact of Genetic Counseling on Coping? |
| Angelica Starnes | Current Practices and Perspectives of Genetic Counselors (GCs) and Reproductive Endocrinologists (REs) Regarding Transfer of Mosaic Embryos |
| Danielle Williams | Genetic Counselor Utilization And Interpretation of Somatic Tumor Testing In Evaluation of Lynch Syndrome |
| Class of 2018 | |
| Sarah Azam | Panel Genetic Testing for Primary Brain Tumors |
| Taylor Beecroft | Patient Attitudes Toward Genetic Testing for Inherited Predispositions to Hematologic Malignancies |
| Lauren Fleddermann | Current Genetic Counseling Practice Following Positive Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing for Sex Chromosome Abnormalities |
| Ellie Gould | Examining the Relationship Between Genetic Counselors' Implicit Attitudes Toward Disability and Their Practice Methods |
| Kate Mowrey | The Psychiatric Impact of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Utilization of Mental Health Treatment |
| Jess Omark | Attitudes Toward Updated Genetic Testing in Patients With Unexplained Mismatch Repair Deficiency |
| Annelise Pace | Outcomes of Genetic Testing in a Genitourinary Genetics Clinic |
| Sara Wofford | Genetic Testing Practices of Genetic Counselors, Geneticists, and Pediatric Neurologists with Regard to Childhood-Onset Neurogenetic Conditions |
| Class of 2017 | |
| Barriers to Expansion of Supervision Networks at Genetic Counseling Training Programs | |
| Clinical Applicability of Proposed Algorithm For Identifying Individuals at Risk for Hereditary Hematologic Malignancies | |
| The Utilization of Prenatal Microarray: A Survey of Current Genetic Counseling Practices and Barriers | |
| Undergraduate Student Perceptions and Awareness of Genetic Counseling | |
| Attitudes of Clinicians Towards Cardiac Surgery and Trisomy 18 | |
| Attitudes Toward and Uptake of Prenatal Genetic Screening and Testing in Twin Pregnancies | |
| Genesurance Counseling: Patient Perspectives | |
| Managing Variant Discrepancy in Hereditary Cancer: Clinical Practice, Barriers and Desired Resources | |
| Class of 2016 | |
| Torry Breen | Factors Influencing Uptake of Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy by BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers |
| Katie Chan | Ethnic Identity and Teratogenic Risk Perceptions |
| Christina Falugi | The Effect of Photographs of Visible Genetic Conditions on Quality of Life Perceptions |
| Meagan Giles | NIPT Results Indicative of Maternal Neoplasms: Genetic Counselors’ Preferences and Attitudes |
| Jessie Ross | The Psychosocial Effects of the Li-Fraumeni Education and Early Detection (LEAD) Program on Individuals with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome |
| Ginger Tsai | Attitudes towards Prenatal Genetics Among Southeast and East Asian Women: a Qualitative Pilot Study |
| Victoria Wagner | No Difference in Health Related Quality of Life between Therapeutic Options for Type 1 Gaucher Disease |
| Theresa Wittman | Patient Perception of Residual Risk Post Negative Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing |
| Class of 2015 | |
| Lizzie Baack | The effect of Room Environment on Patient Experience in a Prenatal Genetic Counseling Session |
| Callie Jenevein | Texas Physicians' Awareness and Utilization of Genetic Services |
| Sarah Mayes | Ob/Gyn Utilization of the NIPT Expanded Testing Option |
| Carla McGruder | Evaluation of Current Knowledge of Genetics among Dental Students, Residents and Dental Hygiene Students |
| Katelynn Sagaser | Spiritual Exploration in the Prenatal Genetic Counseling Session |
| Haley Streff | Cancer Incidence in First and Second Degree Relatives of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers |
| Kayla Vaughn | Knowledge and Self-Esteem in Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) |
| Caiqian Wu | Evaluating the NCCN Clinical Criteria for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome Genetic Testing |
| Class of 2014 | |
| Amanda Hanson | Anchoring and Uptake of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in the First and Second Trimester |
| Andi Lewis | Availability of Dental Anomaly Phenotype in Individuals with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis |
| Jackie Mersch | Cancers in Individuals with BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations other than Breast and Ovarian |
| Shannon Mulligan | Cancer Diagnosis during Pregnancy: Evaluating the Challenges Faced by Oncologists |
| Emily Parham | Evaluation of current clinical criteria in a diverse sample of TP53 mutation carriers |
| Aarti Ramdaney | Support Desired by Women following Termination of Pregnancy for a Fetal Anomaly |
| Stephanie Thompson |
Latinas and the Traditional Genetic Counseling Model: A Qualitative Study |
| Class of 2013 | |
| Allison Copeland | Attitudes and practices of genetic counselors in providing predictive testing to minors at risk for li-fraumeni syndrome |
| Jessica Davis | Attitudes toward and utilization of non-invasive prenatal testing for chromosome aneuploidy among ob/gyns |
| Kate Dempsey | Mismatch repair deficient tumors lacking known sporadic causes: are they all due to lynch syndrome? |
| Michelle McDougle | Knowledge and expectations of support people in prenatal genetic counseling sessions |
| Nicole Mohrbacher | The Impact of Family History on Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) in Patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A (MEN2A) |
| Brad Rolf | An assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and access to genetic testing and counseling services in U.S. hemophilia treatment centers |
| Class of 2012 | |
| Nevena Cvjetkovic | FZD6, MATN2 and SLC25A32, Possible Candidate Genes in Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and Palate |
| Carolyn Garby | Accuracy of the BRCAPro Risk Assessment Model in Males Presenting to MD Anderson for BRCA Testing |
| Roya Mostafavi | Long Term Follow-up of Morbidity and Quality of Life Associated with Isolated Gastroschisis |
| Salma Nassef | Knowledge, Attitudes and Utilization of BRCA Testing among Obstetricians and Gynecologists |
| Samantha Penney | Evaluation of Knowledge Regarding Diagnostic Strategies for Genetic Diseases in Select Residents |
| Katherine Rock | Attitudes about Predictive MEN1 Genetic Testing in Minors |
| Ann Simmons | Predictors of Contralateral Breast Cancer in BRCA Negative Women |
| Class of 2011 | |
| Emily Gabitzsch | Prevalence of Premature Ovarian Failure in Women with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex |
| Laura Hendon |
Physician Perceptions of Risk Regarding Mood Disorders and Pharmacological Management During Pregnancy: What is Current Practice? |
| Ashley Henriksen | Knowledge and Perception of the Role of Targeted Ultrasound in Detecting Down Syndrome among a High Risk Population |
| Trisha Nichols | Natural History Study of Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, Amyoplasia Type |
| Laura Panos | Effect of Anchoring on Perceived Amniocentesis Related Miscarriage Risk Within a Latina Population |
| Sarah Swain | Evaluation of Recurrence Risks for Left-Sided Cardiac Lesions |
| Class of 2010 | |
| Justine Cooper | Factors Associated with Early Versus Late Development of Breast and Ovarian Cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Positive Women |
| Carrie Crain | An Assessment of Obesity and Hyperphagia in Individuals with Smith-Magenis Syndrome |
| Deanna Darnes | First Trimester Screening and Its Impact on Uptake Diagnostic Testing |
| Leslie Newman | Attitudes of Parents at Risk of Inheriting Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Towards Predictive Genetic Testing in Their Minor-Aged Children |
| Gina Nuccio | Influence of Anchoring on Miscarriage Risk Perception Associated with Amniocentesis |
| Amy Sommer | Xenobiotic Metabolism Genes and Clubfoot |
| Class of 2009 | |
| Laura Amendola | Comparison between BRCA1 and BRCA2 Positive and Negative Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer at 35 Years of Age or Less |
| Rebecca Carter | Stress And Well-Being Among Parents of Children With Potocki-Lupski Syndrome |
| Sarah Colosimo | An Assessment of Genetics Knowledge Among Medical Residents Within Various Medical Specialties |
| Jennifer R. Fowler | Self-Perceptions of Siblings and Sibling Relationships in Families with Down Syndrome |
| Travis J. Morgan | Live Versus Online Environment and Learning Style Effect on Genetic Knowledge Acquisition and Retention |
| Lauren Murphy | TSC Patient Perceptions of Psychiatric Symptoms: A Needs Assessment |
| Marisa Vineyard | A Study of Association Between Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer and Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Based on Family History |
| Class of 2008 | |
| Lauren McNair |
An Epidemiological Characterization of Renal Agenesis |
| Sarah Seth | Exploring the Role of Religion in Amniocentesis Decision-Making Among Latina Women |
| Lauren Spurck | First Trimester Combined Screening: Impact on Uptake of Invasive Procedures in AMA Women |
| Blair Stevens | Effect of Miscarriage Risk on Decision Making for Amniocentesis |
| Matthew Tschirgi | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences of Oncologists and Obstetricians/Gynecologists Regarding Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis for Hereditary Cancer Predisposition Syndromes |
| Class of 2007 | |
| Jennifer Defant | Preeclampsia and the Trisomy 21 Conceptus |
| Alyssa Knisley | Maternal Serum Screening: Does the Frequency of Abnormal Results Vary with Ethnicity? |
| Erin Salo | Survey of Cancers and Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in the HNPCC Patient Population at U.T. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| Amy Stanford | Expanded Newborn Screening in Texas: A Survey and Educational Module Addressing the Knowledge of Pediatric Residents |
| Cathy Sullivan | The Impact of Genes in Glucose Metabolism on Rostral Lesion Location in Patients with Spina Bifida Meningomyelocele |
| Catherine Tipps | Trisomy 21, 18, AND 13 IN Texas: Prevalence and Mortality Study |
| Class of 2006 | |
| Stacey Miller | Oral Contraceptive Use in Relation to Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Hereditary Breast Cancer |
| Gabriel Lazarin | Hispanics' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Beliefs Regarding Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and CRC Screening |
| Jennifer Sherrill | Maternal Serum Screening: Results, Disclosure, Anxiety and Risk Perception |
| Julia Wynn | Achondroplasia Mortality Study: A 40 Year Follow-up Study |
| Kaylene Ready | Obstetrics/Gynecology Residents' Knowledge and Practices Regarding HBOC and HNPCC: A Survey and Educational Program |
| Marianna Horz | Turner Syndrome and Growth Hormone: A Quality of Life Assessment |
| Class of 2005 | |
| Tamara Solomon | Neonatal Central Nervous System Thrombotic Events (Stroke) and Genetic Risk Factors as the Determining Cause |
| Cynthia Trotter | Friendship Quality: Relationship to Severity of Disease in children with Neurofibromatosis Type I |
| Jennifer Lemoine | Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Anxiety |
| Class of 2004 | |
| Jamie Chance | Decisions in Genetic Counseling: Control, Conflict, and Confidence |
| Alice Schindler | Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and Clinical Heterogeneity: Are Modifying Haplotypes Affection Phenotype Variability? |
| Andrea Atherton | Assessing the Quality of Life in children and Adolescents with Neurofibromatosis Type I |
| Carol Linsner | Psychological Distress and Genetic Counseling for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome |
| Colleen Buechner | Prenatal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Risk Factors for Autistic Disorder |
| Class of 2003 | |
| Emily Gutter | Characterization of the Clinical Phenotype Associated with Familial Thoracic Aneurysms and Dissections |
| Sandra Darilek | Hereditary Multiple Exostosis and Pain: To What Extent is Pain Associated with HME? |
| Jennifer Malone | Anxiety and Prenatal Testing: Do Women with Soft Ultrasound Findings Have Increased Anxiety Compared to Women with Other Indications for Testing? |
| Carolyn Wilson | Phenotypic Comparisons in 107 Familial Cases of Tuberous Sclerosis: Further Evidence for Genotype-Phenotype. |
| Class of 2002 | |
| Stephanie Manzo | Health Beliefs and Attitudes of Individuals Affected with PKU and Diabetes |
| Jennifer Seifert | An Assessment of Understanding in Genetic Counseling Hispanic Patients |
| Laura Valentine | X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Rickets: Descriptive Study of Growth Pattern and PHEX Mutations Associated with Conventional Treatment |
| Jennifer Saucier | Decision-Making Regarding Amniocentesis in Women of the Asian Racial-Ethnic Group |