Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Genetics

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Genetic Counsellor staff profiles

Barbara Stayner BSc (Hons) MSc

GCRB Registered 176

Lead Genetic Counsellor

  • BSc Biology (Honours), University of Winnipeg
  • MSc Genetic Counselling, University of Manchester

Barbara joined the team in 2002, and specialises in hereditary cancer. She currently provides clinics in the Oxford and Windsor region.

Gael Bretz BSc MSc

Principal Genetic Counsellor

Peter Risby RN MSc

NMC Registered

Principal Cancer Genetics Counsellor

Specialty: Cancer Genetics

  • MSc Cancer Studies, Oxford

Peter Risby holds regular clinics in the Oxford and Banbury. Peter has a special interest in bowel cancer, especially related to predisposition syndromes such as Lynch syndrome and familial polyposis.

Gill Higgs BA BSc PGCert RN

NMC Registered

Cancer Genetics Triage Nurse

Sian Jenkins BSc (Hons) MSc

Ophthalmology Genetic Counsellor

  • BSc Microbiology, Cardiff University 2010
  • MSc Genetic Counselling, Cardiff University 2013

Sian Jenkins is based at the Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital.

Jo Lowndes BSc (Hons) MSc

Specialties: Mitochondrial Genetics, Eye Genetics

Areas covered: Oxford, High Wycombe (Cancer Genetics)

  • Undergraduate degree (BSc Hons 1st Class) in Applied Biology – Molecular Biology, from The University of Hertfordshire, in 1997.
  • Postgraduate degree (MSc) in Genetic Counselling from Manchester University, in 2004.
  • Certificate in Counselling (Person Centered & Psychodynamic Counselling training), from The University of Hertfordshire, in 2001.
  • Eye Clinic Support Studies Course, from City University, London & RNIB, on 2004.

Jo Lowndes specialises in working with patients and families with mitochondrial and genetic eye conditions and also sees patients with a wide range of genetic conditions, including hereditary cancers. She is part of the Oxford Genomic Medicine Centre team helping to run the 100,000 Genomes Project in our region.

Anita Matadeen BSc (Hons) MSc

GCRB Registered 289

Genetic counsellor

Specialty: Clinical Genetics, General and Cancer

  • MSc in Genetic Counselling, 2009

Anita is a keen advocate of genetics education for the general public and allied specialties. She holds a position on the UKGTN Genetic Test Evaluation Working Group.

Ruth Robertson BSc (Hons) MSc

GCRB Registered 200

Areas covered: Reading and Heatherwood Clinics

  • MSc Genetic Counselling, Manchester
  • Training Officer for Genomic Counselling STP (Scientist Training Programme)

Sally North BSc Hons (STP Trainee Genetic Counsellor)