My Thesis Experience

Recent studies have examined the feasibility and psychosocial implications of a population screening approach to test for mutations in genes associated with hereditary cancer syndromes.  I have a personal interest in the field of cancer genetics, and wanted to have a thesis project that related to recent research in this field.   For my thesis project, I worked with my committee to develop a survey to elicit the interest of people in the general population in accessing a genetic test that analyzes genes related to hereditary cancer syndromes.  The survey also asks questions related to the psychosocial implications of this type of genetic testing, and how people would react to possible results. 

Prior to conducting my research, I needed approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB).  I had never written an application for the IRB before, and it was a great learning experience to see how it is necessary to have the logistics of the study thought through before IRB approval will be granted. Designing a research study and submitting an IRB application can be quite challenging, but also rewarding.  I now have the knowledge of setting up a research project and can use this experience in my future career as a genetic counselor.

One of my favorite parts of my thesis project so far has been submitting an abstract for the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) conference in October.  Using the preliminary results of 240 responses to the survey, I wrote an abstract, which was accepted for a poster presentation at the ASHG conference.  Throughout the process, I had the support and assistance of my research mentor, Dr. Dietrich Stephan, and our program directors, Dr. Robin Grubs and Dr. Andrea Durst.   I look forward to the opportunity to present the results of my thesis at the conference in Baltimore!

-Laura Cross, class of 2016