Rachel Nusbaum

Experience

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  Novartis

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  Associate Scientist

  • Identified novel genomic variants associated with side effects in leukemia patients prescribed Gleevec. Identified novel genomic variants associated with side effects in leukemia patients prescribed Gleevec. • Developed, implemented, taught and ensured a company-wide policy for the confidential handling of genomic information.

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  University of Pittsburgh

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2005

  Graduate Student Researcher

  ∙ Accountable for data management and achieving project milestones for the Pittsburgh Oral-Facial Cleft (POFC) research study ∙ Secured IRB approval for a master’s thesis, conducted informed consent and interviews, and performed thematic analysis culminating in a best abstract poster award and first author publication.

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  Georgetown University

  Jun 2005 - Nov 2013

  Genetic Counselor/Instructor of Oncology

  • Design and implementation of two pioneering R01-funded studies – a randomized trial of telephone-based genetic counseling and a clinical trial for genetic counseling of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients – both first-of-their- kind studies that drove change in clinical practice. • Director of Clinical Cancer Genetic Counseling Training (2012-2013); supervised and mentored 21 genetic counseling master’s degree students. • Co-authored 17 peer-reviewed publications related to genetic counseling and testing for hereditary cancer. Show less

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  GeneDx

  Dec 2013 - Sept 2016

  Laboratory Genetic Counselor, Inherited Cancer

  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams - including laboratory geneticists, bioinformaticians and clinicians - to expand oncology-based testing platforms, driving strategic growth.• Analyzed and presented novel data on individuals with more than one pathogenic variant identified on multi-gene oncology testing platforms. • Interpreted genomic variants, assessing clinical significance in alignment with ACMG guidelines. • Delivered webinars and scientific presentations to clients to communicate complex genomic data. Show less

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  The Johns Hopkins University

  Apr 2015 - Sept 2016

  Adjunct Assistant Professor

  Course Director for Cancer Genetics for the The Johns Hopkins University/National Human Genome Research Institute Genetic Counseling Training Program.

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  University of Maryland School of Medicine

  Sept 2016 - Jun 2024

  Assistant Director Masters in Genetic Counseling Program

  • Executed affiliation agreements with more than 25 healthcare institutions, including 16 new fieldwork sites, spanning academic, commercial, and research settings. • Co-course director for “Clinical Applications Workshop” and “Research Methods”, designing and delivering coursework that led to a greater than 90% board certification examination pass rate. • Served on the thesis committee for 12 students; primary advisor for five students, mentoring them through the research process and leading to first author publications for three students. • Managed over 900 clinical rotation placements, ensuring comprehensive hands-on training experience for genetic counseling students while collaborating with other program directors and clinicians across MD, DC, VA. • Led strategic program growth initiatives, successfully increased cohort size from eight to ten students per class. • Delivered the Alliance to Increase Diversity in Genetic Counseling (AIDGC) program through a strategic approach to scholarships and mentoring for underrepresented students, in collaboration with the executive committee, program managers across multiple sites, and student scholars. • Recruitment, admissions, and re-accreditation compliance with the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), successfully achieving reaccreditation in 2023. • Conducted small group teaching and lectures in Foundations Genetics to over 100 medical students. Show less

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  National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

  Jul 2024 - now

  NIH-ACMG Genomic Medicine Program Management Fellow

  • Program Officer-equivalent role, using expert knowledge of relevant scientific fields to identify research needs and recommend the development of program initiatives and funding opportunities. • Provide input on the scientific, technical, and/or programmatic suitability of applications for funding.• Partnered with NIH program officials and multi-institutional academic teams to achieve research design milestones for the Genomics-enabled Learning Health System (gLHS), an NIH U01-funded project. • Designed and implemented survey strategy and data analysis for Workforce Development working group within the Diversity Centers for Genomic Research (UG3/UH3 funded); presented findings to leadership. • Developed communication strategies to support the dissemination of the Exome/Genome Sequencing Evidence-Based Guideline from ACMG. Show less