We are proud to announce the newest addition to our staff, Dr. Daniela del Gaudio. Dr. del Gaudio received her PhD. in Clinical Molecular Biology from the University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy. Shortly after graduation, Dr. del Gaudio joined American Board of Medical Genetics training program at Baylor College of Medicine and became certified in Clinical Molecular Genetics. Prior to joining The University of Chicago Genetic Services, Dr. del Gaudio spent three years as an Assistant Director of the DNA Diagnostic Laboratory and Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. At Baylor, she participated in the development and implementation of a number of novel molecular approaches towards diagnosis of genetic diseases. One of the focuses of her work has been the development of exon-targeted oligonucleotide array platforms for the detection of copy number abnormalities in multiple genes specifically involved in neurodevelopmental disorders and genes known to infer a higher risk of inherited cancers. In addition to the development of tests for clinical application, Dr. del Gaudio has had an active interest in determining molecular mechanisms for novel mutations detected through routine testing.
Dr. del Gaudio is very excited about her new position at The University of Chicago and looks forward the implementation of novel strategies towards the diagnosis of ultra rare orphan genetic diseases as the genetic basis of more of these disorders become understood. She is enjoying her adjustment, even the almost record-breaking blizzard, which was quite different than the weather she was used to in Houston!