The Department of Human Genetics has American Board of Medical Genetics accredited training programs in clinical molecular genetics and clinical cytogenetics. The training programs have a wide range of clinical and research activities including orphan disease diagnostics, genotype-phenotype correlation studies, cancer genetics, translation of new gene discoveries for diagnostic purposes, technology development, centromere delineation, chromosome structure and function studies, and phenotype/karyotype studies. In addition, other research interests in the department include complex disease genetics, gene mapping, human gene variation and evolution and neurogenetics. 

Dr. Reshmi completed both her clinical cytogenetics and molecular genetics fellowship at the University of Chicago, and we catch up with her to see what she's been up to since she left here in 2008.

Tell me about what you have been doing since you left the University of Chicago in 2008?

I became an Assistant Director of the Cytogenetics/Molecular Genetics Laboratories at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio (now Associate Director as of 9/15) and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pathology at the Ohio State University. I sign out clinical cases for both laboratories. We are also the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Reference Laboratory. I am involved in developing and reporting out results from translational assays for some of the ongoing studies and clinical trials with the COG. I am also one of several course teaching instructors for a spring graduate course taught at OSU.

How has the fellowship program prepared you for this position?

Both cyto and molecular training at U of C were great. Specifically:

1. Presenting at the abnormals meetings was an important part of the program.

2. Gaining exposure to so many rare diseases in Soma's lab through setting up, designing, and validating sequencing assays was very helpful.

3. Personally meeting with the Lab Directors to discuss different clinical scenarios was an essential part of the program.

4. Participation in the genetic counseling group study prior to the taking board exams was extremely valuable.

What do you miss most about Chicago?

I miss of all things the dog beach, walks along Lake Michigan, and the view while driving up/down Lakeshore Drive. And of course, friends and colleagues I left at U of C.

Any memorable anecdotes or stories from your time here? 

Working as a team in all the labs was wonderful- I miss the comaraderie with the techs and the outings we did as a group!