{"id":26275,"date":"2024-01-03T14:32:22","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T20:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/?p=26275"},"modified":"2024-01-11T14:18:56","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T20:18:56","slug":"biology-alum-helps-people-plan-for-the-future-as-a-genetic-counselor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/in-focus-2024\/biology-alum-helps-people-plan-for-the-future-as-a-genetic-counselor\/","title":{"rendered":"Biology alum helps people plan for the future as a genetic counselor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation on the hemoglobin beta gene. A child can inherit cystic fibrosis if both parents are carriers of the recessive CFTR gene. Carriers of the BRCA1 or 2 genes are at increased risk of developing breast cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your family has any history of health problems, it can he be helpful to speak with a genetic counselor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA genetic counselor is a health care provider,\u201d Susan Manley explained. \u201cGenetic counselors talk with and evaluate patients, look at their family history, and look for evidence of inherited genetic conditions in the family history. They help them understand what their risk may be for that condition, and then offer and explore genetic testing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone can speak with a genetic counselor, but counselors most often work with patients who have genetic disorders, expectant parents who want to understand their child\u2019s genetic risk factors, and patients who are at risk for diseases that may have a genetic component, like cancer or cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Manley, a 51ÁÔÆæ alumna who majored in biology, being a genetic counselor has been a rewarding career because she\u2019s been able to combine her love of science with her love of working with people. But these days, she\u2019s much more than a genetic counselor: She\u2019s the Senior Vice President of Medical Services at Myriad Genetics<\/a>, a company that develops and sells genetic tests for a, well, myriad of genetic conditions. Myriad is also credited with discovering the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her role, Manley leads Myriad\u2019s centralized medical support for all of the products the company offers. She oversees a team of 69 genetic counselors who work with patients and healthcare providers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manley started her science journey in Lapham Hall, where she worked for then-Professor Ruth Phillips. Manley took the job because it was part of her financial aid package, but she found a love of science in Dr. Phillips\u2019 lab. Her favorite job was feeding the fish that Phillips studied. They lived in huge tanks in the basement of Lapham Hall, and Manley used to deliver their food before she went out on the town with friends on Friday nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As she grew closer with Phillips, Manley began to learn more lab procedures and was even included on some of Phillips\u2019 publications. But she found her true calling when she decided to take a human genetics course with Phillips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI took it because I loved her, and I thought, well, she\u2019s not going to fail me out of a class,\u201d Manley joked. \u201cBut I loved it. It combined \u2026 biology and human health and being able to observe things, think critically about them, and understand the impact they had on people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With her interest in genetics, several career options lay before Manley, but after doing a job-shadow with some geneticists at Children\u2019s Hospital, she decided to become a genetic counselor. She earned her Master\u2019s degree at the University of Cincinnati and was almost immediately hired by Myriad Genetics upon graduating. At the time, about 28 years ago, the company was a small genetic research firm and had just publicized its discovery of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Myriad wanted to branch out into manufacturing and selling genetic tests, they needed a genetic counselor who could advise them on how to market the tests and communicate with health care providers and patients about what the results meant. Manley signed on when the company had less than 50 employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Myriad is an international company with over 2,000 employees. As the organization grew, so did Manley\u2019s responsibilities. She transitioned into a job as a sales representative, where she eventually was in charge of the eastern seaboard region. She earned an MBA and was later promoted to her current position. Though she\u2019s no longer \u201cjust\u201d a genetic counselor, Manley doesn\u2019t think her job has changed too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI went into genetic counseling because the science was fascinating, but I really wanted to work with people. It\u2019s about working with people to help them make good decisions, whether you do that one-on-one as a genetic counselor, or you help your managers and employees do their best,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She credits 51ÁÔÆæ with helping her start on the path to success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c51ÁÔÆæ holds a very special place in my heart, and I had such a good experience there. I entered without a plan and left with everything I needed to be successful for the next three decades,\u201d Manley reflected. \u201cIt\u2019s because of 51ÁÔÆæ and Ruth Phillips.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, a good counselor, genetic or otherwise, can make all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Sarah Vickery, College of Letters & Science<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation on the hemoglobin beta gene. A child can inherit cystic fibrosis if both parents are carriers of the recessive CFTR gene. 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