Undergraduate Research Assistant
Talia is an undergraduate research assistant at the Tercyak Lab and a junior studying Biology of Global Health at Georgetown University. She is deeply interested in clinical and public health genomics, particularly in how families communicate about inherited disease risks. At the lab, she has contributed to projects exploring parental views on gene therapy, the impact of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing on children for adult-onset diseases, and recently completed a summer research fellowship examining the psychosocial needs of mothers at risk for or surviving breast and ovarian cancer. Talia's work centers on preventative health measures, effective messaging for underserved communities, and understanding the role of counseling and peer support in empowering individuals to make informed health decisions. In the future, Talia aspires to become a genetic counselor, driven by a passion for improving the ethics of genetic testing delivery and expanding access to genetic screening for vulnerable populations.