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Current Fellows in the Clinical Genetics Branch

Three-dimensional and simplified female, male, and juvenile human figures connected by lines and spheres on a blue background

Meet the fellows in the Clinical Genetics Branch (CGB) and learn about their work.

Meet Principal Investigators in CGB.

Kelvin C. de Andrade, Ph.D., M.Sc.
Dr. de Andrade studies genetic and behavioral factors that could be associated with cancer risk, progression, and phenotypic variability in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome patients.
Jazmyn L. Bess, M.S., Postbaccalaureate Fellow
Ms. Bess works on projects in the Clinical Genetics Branch and the Connect for Cancer Prevention Cohort Study in the Trans-Divisional Research Program.
Lauren M. Black, B.S.
Ms. Black conducts data-related tasks in the CHARMS Study Enrollment System Migration such as data validations of forms, reports and surveys.
Rowan Forbes Shepherd, Ph.D.
Dr. Forbes Shepherd studies Li-Fraumeni syndrome and inherited bone marrow failure systems in order to develop psychosocial interventions for young people with high genetic risk of cancer.
Kathryn Kundrod, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Kundrod investigates approaches to HPV detection that have the potential to reduce cervical cancer disparities.
Rebecca Landy, Ph.D.
Dr. Landy studies the natural history of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancers, and the appropriate use of risk estimation methods when evaluating cancer screening.
Kyra J. W. Mendez, Ph.D., M.P.H., B.S.N.
Dr. Mendez investigates accelerated aging and biomarkers of aging among people who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
Akanksha Nagarkar, B.S., B.A.
Ms. Nagarkar investigate telomere function genes associated with numerous diseases including thyroid cancer, Coats plus syndrome, and melanoma.
Chase W. Nelson, Ph.D., Research Fellow
Dr. Nelson focuses on characterizing the molecular evolution of oncogenic Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) and their relationships to disease progression.
Hasset Nurelegne, B.Sc. - Postbaccalaureate Fellow
Ms. Nurelegne studies genetic mutations associated with bone marrow failure called Dyskeratosis congenita, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Emily Pearce, Ph.D.
Dr. Pearce is working with Sharon A. Savage, M.D., to study telomere length measurement and how donor telomere length impacts recipient survival after hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Filip Pirsl, Ph.D., Sc.M.
Dr. Pirsl focuses on identifying associations of genetic markers with outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplant as well as sampling and healthy volunteer effects in cancer cohort studies.
Camella Rising, Ph.D., M.S., R.D.N.
Dr. Rising focuses her research on developing a better understanding of health behaviors, communication behaviors, and psychosocial needs of individuals and families living with cancer predisposition syndromes.
Akemi T. Wijayabahu, Ph.D., M.S., Research Fellow
Dr. Wijayabahu focuses on understanding etiological relationships and modifiable risk factors of cancers that afflict women.