Our Experts

Genetics is a complex and fast-changing field. Each day brings us more research and information on what genes can — and cannot — tell us about ourselves. Staying abreast of this powerful science is a full-time job. That's why genetics is all we do.

To provide you with up-to-date information, the latest tests, and quality support services, we have a dedicated team of genetic experts. As new developments are uncovered, we are ready at the forefront, incorporating them into our information and services.

We are committed to being the best at what we do, so you can benefit from the power of your genes — and make smart, better-informed personal and family health choices.

Learn More About Our Medical Advisors

Thomas J. Musci, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACMG
Medical Director

Dr. Thomas J. Musci, M.D., is DNA Direct’s Medical Director. He is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and Medical Genetics. Following his training, he was tenured faculty at University of California, San Francisco in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Dr. Musci remains on the UCSF faculty as an Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. Dr. Musci specializes in prenatal diagnosis, including CVS, amniocentesis, and genetic screening for a variety of indications. Dr. Musci has published extensively in the areas of clinical obstetrics, clinical genetics, and basic molecular genetics. He also serves on national committees involved in establishing policy in obstetrics and gynecology.


Stephen A. Brown, M.D.
Medical Director

Stephen A. Brown, M.D., is DNA Direct’s Medical Director and is associate professor of Ob/Gyn at the University of Vermont. He is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Molecular Genetics and Molecular Genetic Pathology.

Dr. Brown has broad experience in reproductive genetics, including prenatal diagnosis of single gene disorders, chromosomal disorders, malformation syndromes and related issues. Currently, his lab is researching patterns of differential DNA methylation in human placenta and its relevance to prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal disorders.



Trisha Brown, CGC
Vice President of Clinical Affairs

Trisha Brown is an executive with over 15 years of experience in the business of medical genetics. She is a board-certified genetic counselor with a passion for personalized medicine and consumer advocacy. Prior to joining DNA Direct, Trish was an Associate Vice President at LabCorp and Director of Strategic Technology Management and Implementation. In this role she oversaw the commercialization of new technologies and developed expertise in operations, project management, strategic planning, and product development. She was also responsible for LabCorp’s genetic information services which included a specialized genetics call center and clinical genetic counseling services.

Trish received her undergraduate degree in Genetics at the University of California, Davis. She obtained her genetic counseling degree at Sarah Lawrence College, and then practiced prenatal and craniofacial genetic counseling at St. Peter’s Medical Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Her next career step was at Duke University Medical Center in the Maternal Fetal Medicine department where she provided prenatal counseling and was on the Faculty for the Department of Pediatrics and Genetics for the Medical Genetics Fellowship Program. Trish has authored over forty five peer reviewed posters, publications, and presentations. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation, and the Healthcare Business Women’s Association.
 

Scott D. McLean, MD FACMG
Medical Editor

Scott McLean is a pediatrician and clinical geneticist with broad and deep interests in genetic health care, ranging from dysmorphology and newborn screening to genomic medicine for adults and health care policy. During his 26 year career in the US Army, COL(Ret) McLean delivered both primary and consultative care to military beneficiaries across the globe and has been privileged to teach and learn from innumerable medical students, residents and fellows in primary care and specialty training during these decades. As Consultant for Clinical Genetics to the Army Surgeons General, Dr. McLean made significant contributions to Army and Tricare initiatives in uniform, universal newborn screening; genetic non-discrimination; and genetic workforce analysis and development. He served ex officio as the Department of Defense representative to the American College of Medical Genetics Expert Group that developed the landmark report Newborn Screening: Toward a Uniform Panel and System, and on the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society (SACGHS).

Scott was raised in Towson, MD, and attended Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, where he majored in English. He earned his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine in Bethesda, trained in Pediatrics at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA, and enjoyed fellowship in clinical genetics at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He has been stationed in Seoul, Northern Virginia , El Paso, San Antonio, and Iraq. Dr McLean maintains board certification in both Pediatrics (since 1989) and Clinical Genetics (since 1993).

Lisa Kessler, M.S., CGC
Senior Genetic Counselor

Lisa R. Kessler is a board-certified genetic counselor with a background in medical genetics and research. Kessler worked in adult genetics at the University of Pennsylvania, Division of Medical Genetics, where she had the opportunity to meet with patients and families with a variety of different medical concerns including hemochromatosis, hereditary cancer syndromes, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, and Marfan syndrome.

Kessler helped design and manage research for individuals who have had Aortic Dissections and she presented the findings at several national conferences. Kessler also has experience providing genetic counseling to women with hereditary breast cancer as part of a research study that focused on African American women. One of the goals of this project was to create a successful referral network including local hospitals, physician offices, and support groups. Kessler has had several publications resulting from this research and enjoyed the opportunity to reach out to women who may not otherwise benefit from access to genetic counseling.

Kessler is often inspired by her patients, learning from their determination, strength, and commitment to helping others. She has observed the development and utilization of support groups, and the significant impact these groups have made. Kessler is enthusiastic about helping DNA Direct create lasting relationships with advocacy organizations to promote increased access to genetic services.

Andi Ybarra, M.S., CGC
Senior Genetic Counselor

Andi Ybarra is a board-certified genetic counselor with experience in clinical genetics, genetics laboratory-support, research, and DNA diagnostics. Andi comes to DNA Direct from LabCorp where she fulfilled many roles, including prenatal clinical genetics, genetics laboratory support, technical training, business development, and managing a team of clinical and laboratory-based genetic counselors. In her clinical role, Ybarra enjoyed meeting with patients, facilitating their understanding, and helping them through what could be an emotional time. She is a strong patient advocate who believes in a patient’s rights to their genetic information without fear of discrimination. In her genetics laboratory-support role, she was able to aid physicians and their staff in their understanding of genetic test results and relaying those results back to their patients. Ybarra also worked at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX in both genetics research and clinical DNA diagnostics laboratories. She worked mainly with the trinucleotide repeat disorders, such as fragile X syndrome and Huntington’s disease, and finds the genetics of these conditions fascinating.

Following completion of her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, Ybarra then completed her Master of Science degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, graduate program in genetic counseling.  Following graduation, Ybarra has enjoyed training new genetic counselors as a clinical supervisor for the genetic counseling program.  Ybarra coordinated the genetic counseling students’ experience in the prenatal clinic and cytogenetics laboratory rotations at LabCorp.

Tracy Futch, M.S., Ph.D., CGC
Senior Genetic Counselor

Tracy Futch is a board-certified genetic counselor with a background in laboratory genetics and molecular biology. Prior to joining DNA Direct, Futch was a laboratory genetic counselor at LabCorp working with the biochemical genetics, molecular genetics, and cytogenetics laboratories. Her roles included writing genetic test reports, discussing results with providers, and preparing educational materials. Futch has also worked as a clinical counselor at the Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

Futch received her undergraduate degree in Biology form the University of North Carolina. Before attending graduate school, she worked in research laboratories at the University of North Carolina and the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Futch received her Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology and her master of science degree in genetic counseling from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.  As a genetic counselor, Futch enjoys the challenge of helping people understand their genetic testing results and what those results can mean for themselves and their families.


Amisha Shah, M.Sc., M.S., CGC
Senior Genetic Counselor

Amisha Shah is a board-certified genetic counselor with a background in molecular genetics and seven years experience in clinical genetics. Amisha received her undergraduate degree in Life Sciences/ Biotechnology from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (India). She earned a masters degree in medical molecular genetics from University of Aberdeen, Scotland (UK), prior to earning a masters degree in genetic counseling from Sarah Lawrence College, NY.

Amisha comes to DNA Direct after having worked as a Senior Genetic Counselor at Elmhurst Hospital Center, NY (an affiliate of Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC), where she provided prenatal, pediatric and cancer genetic counseling. In addition, she served as a manager and supervisor of the genetics unit and its staff members respectively. As a genetic counselor, she is sensitive to the implications of genetic testing and to the responsible and effective communication of such information toward an individual’s health management. Amisha understands the significance of educational outreach and continues to enjoy her interactions with people of diverse skill sets while giving presentations regarding clinical genetics and genetic counseling. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and New York State Genetics Task Force, and a diplomat member of the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Theresa Boomer, M.S., CGC
Senior Genetic Counselor

Theresa Boomer is a board-certified genetic counselor with specialized laboratory expertise in both Molecular Biology and Cytogenetics. Prior to joining DNA Direct, Theresa was a Genetic Counselor at Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute in San Juan Capistrano, CA. She served as the primary clinical liaison between the Cytogenetic laboratory and ordering physicians, hospitals, and clinics, ensuring all critical results were relayed as quickly and clearly as possible.  She also developed expertise in oncology cytogenetic testing and result interpretation. Theresa practiced for several years as a genetic counselor conducting rural outreach clinics for Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, MT. There she met the unique challenge of providing prenatal, pediatric, adult, oncology, laboratory, and fetal pathology counseling all in one setting. In addition to clinical services, she also functioned as the Administrative Director for Department of Medical Genetics.

Prior to clinical practice, Theresa spent many years in the laboratory as both a Cytogenetic and Molecular Technologist.  She enjoyed positions at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, Dianon Systems in Stratford, CT, Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO, and briefly at the University of Chicago.

Theresa received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Colorado College in Colorado Spring, CO, and her graduate degree in Genetic Counseling at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.  Theresa has authored over 35 posters, publications and presentations.  She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, board-certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and has dual certifications in Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology through the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA).

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