Rebecca Shapiro 1740 B Woodcrest Rd S, Birmingham, AL 35205

(248) 842-9982 Email: beccalynn.shapiro@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rlshapiro

QUALITIES

Hard working, energetic, devoted and inquisitive student with strong interest in genetics and psychology currently pursuing Masters in Science in Genetic Counseling.

EDUCATION

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling Expected Graduation April 2017 The Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling at UAB prepares students to work with patients and families who are learning about and coping with the risk genetic disease may have for themselves and their relatives. This program is a rigorous program combining didactic and clinical education to prepare students for the evolving field of genetic counseling and to work with a variety of patients. Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI. Bachelor degree in Biology, Minor Psychology June 2015 Kalamazoo College is devoted to fellowship in learning. With the highly regarded K-Plan, Kalamazoo College students get a well rounded, intense and incredibly beneficial Liberal Arts curriculum combined with learning experiences both in and out of the classroom, as well as all across the world via Study Abroad. Named to Honor Roll for four quarters.

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Prenatal Rotation October 2016-Current Fallon Brewer, MS, CGC, Supervisor

• Participated in the genetic counseling of 4-8 prenatal patients per week in first trimester of prenatal genetics clinic

• Attended weekly chart conferences • Documented cases through clinic notes and patient letters • Gained skills in psychosocial counseling of prenatal patients • Became familiar with common indications for referral to prenatal clinics and

coordinated appropriate testing for patients • Observed the fetal anomalies clinic on four separate occasions

University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Pediatric Rotation August-October 2016 Alicia Gomes, MS, CGC, Supervisor

• Participated in the genetic counseling of 4-8 pediatric patients per week

• Attended weekly chart conferences • Documented cases through clinic notes and patient letters • Became familiar with common indications for referral to pediatric genetics clinics • Gained proficiency in accurate family, medical and developmental history taking

Genetic Services of Western Australia at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, WA Cancer and General Genetics Rotation June-July 2016 Rebecca D’Souza, MS, Fellow of Human Genetics Society of Australasia, Supervisor

• Learned about Genetic Counseling services in Western Australian climate • Counseled patients presenting for cancer, pediatric and general genetic services • Learned about the genetics work environment • Attended maternal and fetal medicine lectures, dysmorphology meetings with geneticist team as well as

weekly staff meetings and case discussions University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL Laboratory Rotation: May 2016 J.D. Sharer, PhD, and John Moore, Supervisors

• Observed in the biochemical genetics laboratory learning about the techniques, laboratory practices, turn around time, costs, quality control and diagnosis in the biochemical genetics laboratory at UAB

• Presented on two representative clinical cases from the biochemical genetics laboratory • Presented on knowledge gained from time spent in the biochemical genetics laboratory to educate fellow

genetic counseling students • Shadowed Alicia Gomes, M.S., CGC in the molecular genetics laboratory, as well as observed array cGH

protocol with Dr. Fady Mikhail in the cytogenetics laboratory Upcoming Clinical Rotations Include:

• Cancer Genetics • Specialty/Adult Genetics

WORK EXPERIENCE

Cytogenetics Laboratory Assistant, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL August 2015 to Present

• Work part time helping with patient filing, database entry in Excel and other office duties as part of an apprenticeship through the University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Contribute to patient files by karyotyping patient’s chromosomes, both for normal and abnormal genetic results

• Experience with karyotyping (G-banded chromosomes), Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) techniques

Research Assistant, Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, Western Australia, June-August 2014

• Worked full-time in the lab of Dr. Evan Ingley on individual project titled: “Generation of knockout cell lines for the invasion-regulating scaffold gene AFAP1L1 in sarcoma cells by CRISPR/Cas9 technology”.

• This project involved a mastery of cell culture, transfections, use of the FACS Aria II machine, PCR, ligations, pipetting techniques and a deep understanding and application of the new CRISPR/Cas9 system for genome engineering.

• Received the Hearst Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Summer 2014, a competitive research grant

that funded the research project at Perkins Institute of Medical Research. Research Assistant, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI January 2014 to June 2014

• Worked in the lab of Dr. Blaine Moore involving neuroblastomas and alcohol toxicity experiments to observe the effects of alcohol for alcoholics and infants born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Teaching Assistant, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI Fall 2012, Fall/Spring 2014 and Spring 2015

• Laboratory Teaching Assistant for classes in Chemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology. • Assisted with instruction of laboratory techniques as well as grading of assignments.

Undergraduate Research Fellow, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI Summer 2012

• Worked in the Pharmacy department lab of Dr. Olivia Merkel on own individual project with Nanotechnology. Goal was to create nanoparticles using chitosan to encapsulate the IgY influenza antibody for intranasal injection.

• Worked with chitosan, pipetting techniques, UltraCentrifuge and sonicators. • Presented final results and methods to laboratory faculty and staff at the end of the internship.

Genetics Intern, Henry Ford Hospital, Genetics Diagnostic and Cytogenetic Lab Spring 2011

• Shadowed Geneticists in laboratory and was able to help with diagnostic tests. Learned many skills and worked with PCR, DNA replication, and DNA Sanger sequencing.

• Introduced to the field of cytogenetics and was able to look at and identify chromosomes under the microscope as well as stain own slides.

Genetics Counseling Intern, Henry Ford Hospital, Genetics Counseling Department Summer 2010

• Shadowed Geneticist and Genetics Counselors within Obstetrics/Gynecology and Oncology departments. • Observed ultrasound testing and genetic counseling sessions. • Gained insight into cancer genetic testing and prenatal genetic testing • Learned about patient population in Detroit, Michigan

Research Assistant, National Institutes of Health, Perinatology Branch Summer 2009

• Selected nationally to participate in a summer internship at a NIH funded research lab within the School of Medicine at Wayne State University as part of the Detroit Medical Center.

• Conducted laboratory experiments involving PCR, Western Blot, ELISA tests, cell cultures and DNA replication

GRADUATE PROJECT

Title: Analysis of Newborn Screening and Parental Emotional Distress

• Committee members: Lane Rutledge, M.D. and Alicia Roberts, MS, LD, RD • Addressing the parental distress associated with newborn screening in Alabama for parents of healthy

newborns who have received greater than 2 newborn screening tests

EXTRACURRICULAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2nd Place Winner of “Three Minute Thesis” Competition October 2016 • National Society of Genetic Counselors Member • IRB Training, Current • Blood borne Pathogen Training, Current • Founding member of Student Focus Group for UAB Genetic Counseling Program, Current • Member of Kalamazoo College Acapella singing group all four years. Served as Business Director of the

group in 2014/2015. • Studied abroad at Curtin University in Perth, Australia from July 2013 through November 2013 • Participated in Asia Study Tour through Curtin University learning about the culture, history and politics of

Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia in December 2013

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

• Volunteer at the Exceptional Foundation in Birmingham, AL a non-profit organization, which serves the mentally and physically challenged adults in the Birmingham area from September-December 2016

• Attended Hudson-Alpha Center for Genomic Medicine Symposium in May 2016 • Attended Rare Disease Day at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in February 2016 • Volunteered at Neurofibromatosis Day in September 2015 and 2016 in Birmingham, Alabama • Worked as a crisis worker at the Gryphon Place Crisis Intervention Call Center starting in September 2014.

Takes calls from over five counties in Michigan helping clients in crisis • Member of Kalamazoo College Sisters in Science, a community service program that benefits young girls in

elementary school by teaching them scientific experiences to spark a love of learning • Tutor at Goodwill, a foundation which tutors adults on their way to receiving their G.E.D. • Tutor at the Kalamazoo juvenile home helping teach Othello to high-school students

TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND PRESENTATIONS

• “Fetal Skeletal Dysplasias in a tertiary care center: radiology, pathology and molecular analysis of 112

cases” presented in September 2015 • “The impact of chromosomal microarray on clinical management: a retrospective analysis” presented in

November 2015 • “Evaluating a unique, specialist psychiatric genetic counseling clinic: uptake and impact” presented in

January 2016 • “Newborn screening and parental distress: Is there room for improvement?” presented March 2016 • “Psychosocial implications of rare diagnostic findings” presented in November 2015 • “Ventriculomegaly” presented in February 2016 • “The genetics of Bipolar Disorder and Depression” presented in April 2016 • “Waiting For Cancer: A Discussion of the Psychosocial Implications of Cancer Genetic Testing” presented in

September 2016 • “Australian versus American Genetic Counseling and Case Discussion” Presented September 2016

References Available Upon Request