Join Janice Berliner and Dr. Dave Vigerust with Kristin as they discuss the field of Genetics and explain exactly what Genetic Counseling is and why it is invaluable. The field of mental health is in dire need of genetic counselors. Janice discusses her shift from the clinical world of genetics to that of being an educator. We also talk about society's overall lack of understanding, with the advent of commercialized DNA genetics testing kits such as 23andMe, about what genetics testing is and how to interpret results. The need for genetics counselors is on the rise and, along with Bay Path University, Janice is a leading educator in the field.

About Our Guest:

Janice Berliner, MS, LCGC has been a clinical genetic counselor for more than twenty-nine years, having earned her MS in Human Genetics/Genetic Counseling from the University of Michigan and earning board certification in 1993. She has served on the boards of directors of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), and chaired the 2008 NSGC Annual Education Conference.

Throughout her career, Janice has had the opportunity to be part of the hands-on training of a sizable number of genetic counseling graduate students, has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the NSGC quarterly newsletter and on the editorial board of the Journal of Genetic Counseling. She has written several book chapters, published a number of scholarly articles, and edited a book entitled Ethical Dilemmas in Genetics and Genetic Counseling: Principles through Case Scenarios (Berliner, 2014). She is the author of the highly acclaimed book Brooke's Promise, her first novel, a work of fiction with a genetics theme.


https://www.baypath.edu/academics/graduate-programs/genetic-counseling-ms/

www.janiceberliner.com
www.baypath.edu


About Our CoHost:

David Vigerust, MS, Phd received a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso, a master’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology from Texas Tech University and a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Vigerust conducted post-doctoral research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Vigerust completed a second post-doctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical School in the Department of Pediatrics Disease in the area of molecular biology. Dr. Vigerust was a faculty member in the Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology Department at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a Health Research Scientist in the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Most recently, Dr. Vigerust is the Director of Clinical Affairs and molecular scientist for a diagnostics laboratory focused around precision medicine, genomics and infectious disease. Dr. Vigerust has published extensively in international journals, presented his research at national and international conferences and is an active editor and reviewer for several prominent journals. Dr. Vigerust has developed several novel molecular diagnostic assays for the prediction of cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes, infectious disease and cancer. Dr. Vigerust speaks often on the subject of precision medicine and was selected as a TEDx speaker in 2016.

Dr. Vigerust currently maintains an Adjunct Assistant Professor position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Department of Neurological Surgery and a Clinical Assistant Professor position with the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy. Dr. Vigerust’s academic and research interests focus around areas of precision medicine in the treatment of psychiatric and behavioral disorders , diagnostics, infectious disease, and neuroinflammation. He is also a founding member of Digital Tech Initiative, a b-corporation created to research and educate about the impact digital media has on our mental health.

www.digitaltechinitiative.com