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Name: Karen V. Valdez-Gonsalez, MS

Title: Certified Genetic Counselor

Background: Mrs.Valdez-Gonsalez received her B.A. in Biology in 1997 from Rutgers College , Rutgers University . She then received her M.S. in Genetic Counseling in 1999 from Virginia Commonwealth University - Medical College of Virginia. She was awarded the Lang Kucera award for excellence in genetic counseling from the Department of Human Genetics at VCU/MCV.

Mrs. Valdez-Gonsalez joined the Center for Human and Molecular Genetics in 1999. She is involved in prenatal, pediatric, and adult genetics at the New Jersey Medical School campus in Newark , NJ . Her main role at the Institute of Genomic Medicine - Clinical Genetic Services is as a genetic counselor in the center 's outreach program, she provides genetic services for the North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health Center in Hudson County , NJ . She also provides genetic counseling in the University Craniofacial Center of NJ. Language: fluent in oral and written Spanish.

Professional Interests and Activities: Mrs. Valdez-Gonsalez 's main interests are cross-cultural counseling and diversity within the genetic counseling profession. She is an active member of the Diversity Subcommittee of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC). She is also a member of the Education and Membership committees of the NSGC. Her projects at the Institute of Genomic Medicine have included: integrating genetics into primary health care and research on thrombophilia.