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 2020 |
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Wendi Betting |
Factors that impact uptake of carrier screening by male reproductive partners of female prenatal patients |
Sarah Burke |
Understanding Genetic Counselor's approaches to Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer |
Caroline Bertsch |
The course of Acute Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in parents and infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with or without genetic anomalies |
Aranza Gonzalez Cendejas |
Implementation of genetic carrier screening in the Ob population: healthcare cost impact and recommendation adherence |
Addison Johnson |
Assessing patient attitudes toward genetic testing for hereditary hematologic malignancy |
Bradley Power |
Investigating Medical Examiner's practices: Genetic evaluation for fatal acute |
Emily Stiglich |
Genetic Counselor's experiences with and approaches to discordant genotypic and phenotypic sex |
Autumn Vara |
Frequency of copy number variants involving the sex chromosomes in a clinical setting |
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 |
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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 |
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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 |