Email

danielle.schwalk@bcm.edu

Positions

Genetic Counseling Student

School of Health Professions
Baylor College of Medicine

Education

BS from University of Oregon

06/2022 - Eugene, OR

Molecular Biology

Professional Statement

After growing up in northwest Montana, I earned my B.S. in Biology and minored in Biochemistry and Folklore and Public Culture at the University of Oregon. During that time, I wanted to explore the world of genetics and ended up in a Physical Chemistry lab where I studied Prp22, a protein in the spliceosome. After school, I moved to DC and started working as a Medical Scribe in the ER. In that role, I learned the stark difference the support of a genetic counselor can make in a patient's diagnostic odyssey. As I transitioned to my role as a genetic counselor assistant at Children's National Hospital, I wanted to take those lessons with me. As a GCA, I was able to lead a research study aimed at supporting family caregivers of children with a rare disease. My passion for genetics, advocacy, and teaching culminated in this research where I could directly interact with our families and learn how to support them in their struggles.

Currently, I am genetic counseling student at Baylor College of Medicine, and I am excited to delve deeper into all things genetics. This program offers incredible research and clinical experiences and I am excited to grow as a genetic counselor. I'm currently most interested in inpatient pediatric genetic counseling and pediatric oncology genetic counseling. I am available to chat with prospective students who want to learn more!