Genetic Counseling Clinical Supervisors
Clinical Supervisor
heather.alexander2@bannerhealth.com
Heather Alexander earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences: Cell and Developmental Biology and Genetics and Psychology minor from Arizona State University in 2016. Before graduate school, she worked as a genetic counseling assistant for Arizona Oncology. She earned her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from Indiana State University in 2023. She has been working as a cancer genetic counselor at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2023. She is an active member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Heather is an Arizona native who enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Heather likes to bake, work out, and try new activities.
Clincal Supervisor
Asif.Misha@mayo.edu
Graduate, Class of 2021
Misha B. Asif is originally from Las Vegas, NV where she graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Biology and a minor in Psychology. Following graduation, Misha received her Certificate in Genetics and Genomics from Stanford University and worked as a substitute teacher for the Clark County School District. She also worked as a research assistant in a Neurogenetics and Precision Medicine Lab. Misha went on to receive her Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences from Midwestern University prior to joining the Genetic Counseling Graduate Program at the University of Arizona. Misha is now a board certified genetic counselor who specializes in genetic counseling for patients at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes. As of August, '23, Misha joined the leadership team of the UAGCGP, as an Assistant Director of Fieldwork. In addition to her clinical roles, she is actively engaged in genetics outreach, mentorship, and education.
Clinical Supervisor
kimberly.brussow@dignityhealth.org
Kim Brussow earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from University of California, San Diego in 2009 followed by her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of California, Irvine in 2011. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Since 2011, Kim has worked primarily as an oncology genetic counselor, first in central Nebraska where she developed a rural telehealth service. She then moved to Phoenix in 2015 to join the Dignity Health Cancer Institute, where she is currently practicing today. She also spent one year working as a genomic testing consultant for a laboratory specializing in clinical whole genome sequencing. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs, as well as playing viola and ice hockey.
Prenatal Genetic Counselor
alexandra.burrows@bannerhealth.com
Alexandra is currently a prenatal genetic counselor at Banner Health Ob/Gyn and Maternal-Fetal Medicine clinics. She grew up in Gilbert, AZ and graduated with a BA in English Literature from Arizona State. She had a career in HR and recruiting for several years and is eager to support upcoming graduates in resume writing and interview prep. She spent a semester as an Anatomy TA while preparing for graduate school and developed a passion for teaching. In 2020 she founded an LLC that offers online learning production and curriculum development for leadership and DEI trainings at Fortune 100 companies. Alexandra graduated from the Vanderbilt University Master of Genetic Counseling program in May 2023. She enjoys playing tennis with her husband and getting pup cups with her bulldog, Duncan.
Clinical Supervisor
mariarenee@genomemedical.com
Maira-Renee is a certified Genetic Counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Maria-Renee attended Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI and earned her B.A. in Biology. She then attended the University of Utah where she earned her M.S. in Genetic Counseling. Maria-Renee started her career as a pediatric genetic counselor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. There she worked providing genetic counseling to families through the Craniofacial clinic, general pediatrics clinic, and through the newborn screening diagnostic process. She then moved across the country to the Phoenix area where she worked at Phoenix Children's Hospital at both the Genomics Lab and in the Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism clinic. Currently, Maria-Renee works for a nationwide telemedicine company, Genome Medical. In her current role, she counsels patients with concerns in pediatrics, adult, reproductive, and healthy screening genetics. Maria-Renee is a native Spanish-speaker and is passionate about increasing accessibility to high-quality genetic services across diverse populations.
Clinical Supervisor
Alexa.Cook15@bannerhealth.com
Alexa is currently a board-certified oncology and general adult genetic counselor at Banner Health. As of August, '23, Alexa joined the leadership team of the UAGCGP, as an Assistant Director of Fieldwork. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and received her BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Arizona, and her MS in Genetic Counseling from Long Island University. She spends one day per week in her oncology role and four days per week in her general adult genetics role. She is also very involved in the Arizona Genetics Alliance, where she has served multiple years on the board, and loves to be involved with students as a supervisor, mentor, and guest lecturer. In her spare time, Alexa likes to run, try new restaurants, and attend music festivals.
Clinical Supervisor
lauren.maynard@bannerhealth.com
Lauren Maynard earned her B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from University of Arizona and her Master of Science in Medical Genetics from University of Cincinnati/ Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She is a board Certified Genetic Counselor and Diplomat of the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She began her career at University of Arizona as a Genetic Counselor for adult genetics, pediatric genetics, neuromuscular and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy clinics. In 2017, she began her role as Genetic Counselor for Banner Health at the University of Arizona Cancer Center where she provides genetic counseling for individuals with a personal and/or family history of cancer or tumors in the High Risk Clinic. In her current role, she assists patients with decisions regarding genetic testing, with test interpretation, and serves as a resource for families to understand how genetics contributes to cancer risks in their family. Lauren is passionate about community education and broadening the availability of clinical genetic counseling services.
Clinical Supervisor
Kailee.McGeer@tmcaz.com
Kailee is a prenatal genetic counselor at Tucson Medical Center Obstetrics. She was born and raised in Oregon and graduated with a BS in Biology from Gonzaga University. Prior to attending Augustana University Masters in Genetic Counseling program, she joined the University of Washington's microbiology research team and studied cystic fibrosis for three years. As a graduate student, she trained in South Dakota and California. She knew from the beginning she loved prenatal work and was happy to find her work-home at TMC Obstetrics in June 2023. Her professional passions include spreading awareness and access to genetic counseling services and teaching/ mentoring others. She is also an active AGA member. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and is a die-hard poodle lover and Kardashian fanatic.
Clinical Supervisor
Instructor
sprakash@phoenixchildrens.com
Supraja Prakash is an American Board certified Pediatric Genetic Counselor at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Supraja completed her Masters in Molecular Biotechnology with specialization in clinical lab sciences at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2013. Post-graduation, she worked as a research technician at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, focusing her abilities on validating assays for delineating genetic causes of Diamond Blackfan Anemia and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She switched careers for her passion in direct patient care and completed her genetic counseling graduate training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2018. She was awarded an NSGC Metabolic SIG grant for her thesis in exploring family experiences of late onset Pompe disease diagnosis via NBS.
Her specialties as a Genetic Counselor include general and dermatology genetics. Her career interests focuses on academic training of GC students, raising awareness of GC profession and genetic counseling families for cardiovascular diseases/ channelopathies.
Clinical Supervisor
Tanvina.Ria@bannerhealth.com
Tanvina has earned her bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology with a concentration in genetic engineering from Purdue University. Following her undergraduate studies, she delved into research at Indiana University School of Medicine, where she explored the genetics of metabolic disease using genetic model systems and investigated the variation in mitochondrial DNA of Drosophila melanogaster. She received her master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from University of California Los Angeles. Currently, she serves as a board certified cancer genetic counselor for Banner Health at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. Prior to joining Banner Health, she has worked for the Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic. Her professional interests include increasing accessibility and awareness of genetic counseling services, supervision, teaching genetic counseling students, and mentorship. Tanvina is an active member of National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and Arizona Genetics Alliance (AGA). Outside of work, Tanvina embraces a love for travel and exploration, finds solace in hiking, and occasionally indulges in binge-watching a good show.
Clinical Supervisor
Ashley Ryan earned her B.A. in Biology from Baylor University and her Master of Science in Genetics from the University of Arizona. She is a board certified genetic counselor and diplomat of the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She spent the first 17 years of her career working as a pediatric genetic counselor with the Genetics and Metabolism team, most recently at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. In October 2018, she took a new position in a “non-traditional role” at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) working as a Genetic Counselor/Clinical Research Coordinator. She is currently coordinating two research studies on a rare pediatric brain tumor, DIPG. Ashley has always enjoyed supervising students and teaching. She was a clinical supervisor for the UA Genetic Counseling Program from 2001-2005 and also supervised students from out-of-state programs during her time at PCH. She spends her time outside of work with her husband and two very active, baseball-playing boys.
Clinical Supervisor
Andrew.Schmanski@bannerhealth.com
Andrew is a board-certified genetic counselor at Banner Health. He grew up on South Dakota, and received his BS in Biology and German Studies at Creighton University in 2015, and his MS in Genetic Counseling from University of Colorado – Denver in 2018. After graduating, Andrew worked as a pediatric and general adult genetic counselor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, serving in a variety of clinics including craniofacial, fetal alcohol syndrome, monogenic diabetes, outreach clinics in Nebraska. He moved to Tucson and started his current role as an oncology genetic counselor for Banner Health at the University of Arizona Cancer Center in late 2022. He enjoys cycling, powerlifting, playing stringed instruments, and spoiling his two dogs, Noli and Gia.
Clinical Supervisor
Jennifer Siettmann graduated with a BA in Psychology from Arizona State University and received her MS in genetic counseling at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jennifer became interested in the field of genetic counseling when her grandmother was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. She heard her grandmother talk about her visit with a genetic counselor and that’s when Jennifer knew she wanted to be a genetic counselor to help others the way her grandmother had been helped.
Jennifer joined the Banner family in September 2011 when she started as a cancer genetic counselor at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix and moved to the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in November 2016. She has done research on rates of VUS’s on panel tests, genotype/phenotype associations in Muir-Torre Syndrome, and alternative genetic testing models. Jennifer is a board-certified genetic counselor through the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) and is an active member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).
Jennifer has a great love of movies, books, and television with a soft spot for Lord of the Rings, which is her absolute favorite. She is proud to say she finally achieved her lifelong dream of visiting New Zealand. She also enjoys writing, gaming, and throwing themed parties for her close friends.
Program Director
Clinical Supervisor
stallman@pharmacy.arizona.edu
Chris took over as Program Director in July of 2023; they have been a member of the program faculty, leadership, and administration since 2019, teaching prenatal genetic counseling, advanced genetic counseling skills, developing and managing the Clinical Skills Workshop and overseeing fieldwork rotations for UAGCGP students. In addition to their role as Program Director, they also manage the MotherToBabyAZ service, where they provide teratogen exposure counseling to individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Chris earned their MS in human genetics from Sarah Lawrence College in 2011 and has gained extensive experience a variety of genetic counseling specialties, including prenatal care, assisted reproductive technology, teratology, and pediatrics. In 2022, Chris earned their Master of Legal Studies from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.
Clinical Supervisor
esymonds@arizona.edu
Dr. Symonds obtained his M.D. from Universidad de Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico. In 2014, Dr. Symonds completed his Internal Medicine residency at New York Medical College, New York, and subsequently completed a Medical Genetics and Genomics Fellowship at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Prior to completing his clinical training, Dr. Symonds joined the National Cancer Institute to conduct research focused on the genetic and phenotypic variability of individuals with cancer-predisposing syndromes, as well as genome-first approaches to estimate prevalence and penetrance of rare genetic disorders.
Starting in August of '22, Dr. Symonds will work in the General Adult Genetics clinic at Banner University Medical Center, North Campus as a Medical Geneticist. He is board certified in Internal Medicine (American Board of Internal Medicine) and Medical Genetics (American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics).