Genetic Counseling

Group photo of genetic counselors with the director

The genetic counseling team at the Institute of Genomic Medicine (IGM) is a group of highly qualified genetic counselors who specialize in integrating genomic data and clinical information in order to identify and interpret genetic changes and incorporating complex genomic data into clinical care. As part of Columbia's Precision Medicine Initiative, and to support the highest quality delivery of complex genetic information to research participants and families, the team offers interpretation of research-related genetic testing results to IGM members, as well as to investigators and clinicians partnering with IGM.

In addition, the IGM genetic counseling team has expertise in IRB and regulatory guidance, review and development of consent forms and participant materials, training of study coordinators, and database development to support research workflows.

Services of the genetic counseling team should ideally be requested at the outset of the study. However, the IGM genetic counselors are able to advise at any point in study development or implementation.

Forms

Service Request - Genetic Counseling 

Co-Directors

Contact

701 West 168th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10032
United States
Open location in Google Maps

Genetic Counselors

  • Halie May, MS, CGC

    • Genetic Counselor

    Education and Training

    BS, 2015, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
    MS, 2018, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY

    I have the privilege of meeting with families involved in our research at the Institute for Genomic Medicine and bridging the gap between the clinical information gathered by physicians and the genomic information generated by our research. I enroll patients into whole-exome sequencing research studies, curate variants based on genomic data, and collaborate with healthcare providers inside and outside of CUIMC to interpret and explain results of research genetic testing. I hold a faculty position as Lecturer of Genetic Counseling and am involved in the training of students enrolled in the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling at CUIMC.

  • Natalie Vena, MS, CGC

    • Genetic Counselor

    Education and training

    BS, 2007, University of Connecticut; Storrs, CT
    MS, 2012, Boston University; Boston, MA

    Through a joint position with the Institute of Genomic Medicine and the Division of Nephrology, I serve as a primary resource to patients and physicians regarding genomic research and precision medicine initiatives at CUIMC, and assist in the translation of genomic research into patient care. At IGM, I facilitate participant enrollment into whole exome sequencing research studies, focused on identifying and understanding the underlying genetic causes of diseases. In collaboration with researchers and healthcare providers at CUIMC, I am further involved in variant annotation and curation in the setting of Mendelian diseases, as well as returning genetic test results to patients. I hold a faculty position as Lecturer of Genetic Counseling and am involved in the training of students enrolled in the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling at CUIMC.

    Headshot of Natalie Vena

  • Sulagna (Tina) Kushary, CGC

    • Genetic Counselor

    Education and Training

    BS, 2016, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
    MMSc, 2019, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA

    As a genetic counselor, I help both patients and healthcare providers understand the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. My role at the Institute for Genomic Medicine includes enrolling patient families into our whole exome sequencing research studies, aiding in the interpretation of genomic data, and working with healthcare providers both within and outside of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center to help explain the results and implications of research genetic testing.

    Headshot of Sulagna Kushary