Genetic Counsellor staff profiles
Genetic Counsellors
Barbara Stayner BSc (Hons) MSc
Consultant Genetic Counsellor (Lead): GCRB Registered 176
Speciality: hereditary cancer
Areas covered: Oxford and Windsor
Qualifications:
- BSc Biology (Honours), University of Winnipeg
- MSc Genetic Counselling, University of Manchester
Gael Bretz BSc MSc
Principal Genetic Counsellor
Jo Lowndes BSc (Hons) MSc
Principal Genetic Counsellor
Specialties:
- mitochondrial genetics
- eye genetics
- prenatal and reproductive genetics
Areas covered: Oxford and all surrounding regions
Qualifications:
- BSc Hons (1st Class) Applied Biology - Molecular Biology, University of Hertfordshire
- MSc Genetic Counselling, Manchester University
- Certificate in Counselling (Person Centered and Psychodynamic Counselling training), University of Hertfordshire
- Eye Clinic Support Studies Course,City University, London and RNIB
Jo Lowndes specialises in working with patients and families with mitochondrial and genetic eye conditions and also sees patients and couples for prenatal and reproductive genetic counselling relating to a wide range of genetic conditions.
Peter Risby RN MSc
Principal Cancer Genetics Counsellor: NMC Registered
Specialty: Cancer Genetics
Areas covered: Oxford and Chipping Norton
Qualifications: MSc Cancer Studies, Oxford
Peter has a special interest in bowel cancer, especially related to predisposition syndromes such as Lynch syndrome and familial polyposis.
Ruth Robertson BSc (Hons) MSc
Principal Genetic Counsellor: GCRB Registered 200
Specialties:
Areas covered: Oxford and Reading
Qualifications: MSc Genetic Counselling, Manchester
Training Officer for Genomic Counselling STP (Scientist Training Programme)
Kathryn Lubasch
Principal Genetic Counsellor
Specialty: Inherited Cardiac Conditions
Nilotpal Chauhan BTech MSc
Genetic Counsellor: GCRB Registered 407
Specialties:
- clinical genetics (general, cancer and prenatal)
- Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)
- cleft lip and palate
Areas covered: Oxford, Swindon
Qualifications:
- BTech 1st class Genetic Engineering, SRM University, India
- MSc (Distinction) Genetic Counselling, University of Manchester
Smrithi Devaiah BE (Biotech) MSc
Genetic Counsellor: GCRB Registered 408
Specialties:
- cancer and general genetics
- NF1
- aortopathy (Marfan syndrome)
Areas covered: Oxford and Milton Keynes
Qualifications: MSc (Distinction) Genetic Counselling, University of Manchester
Anita Matadeen BSc (Hons) MSc
Genetic Counsellor: GCRB Registered 289
Specialties:
- neurogenetics
- HD
- general and cancer
Qualifications: MSc Genetic Counselling
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.
Sally North BSc (Hons) MSc
Genetic Counsellor: HCPC Registered CS21048
Specialties:
- cancer
- general
- prenatal
- endocrine
Areas covered: Oxford, Reading and Wantage (cancer)
Qualifications:
- BSc (hons) Biological Sciences, Aberystwyth University
- MSc Genomic Sciences (Genetic Counselling), University of Manchester
- Scientific Training Programme (STP), Genomic Counselling.
Urvi Savania BSc MSc
Genetic Counsellor
Areas covered: Aylesbury, Thame and Oxford
Qualifications:
- BSc Biological Science with a major in Human Physiology, Macquarie University, Sydney
- MSc Genomic Counselling,University of Glasgow
Sian Sperring BSc (Hons) MSc
Ophthalmology Genetic Counsellor
Qualifications:
- BSc Microbiology, Cardiff University
- MSc Genetic Counselling, Cardiff University
Sian is based at Oxford Eye Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital.
Hannah Wakelin BSc MSc
Genetic Counsellor
Areas covered: High Wycombe, Heatherwood and Oxford
Qualifications:
- BSc Biology with a major in Genetics, Massey University, New Zealand
- MSc Genetic Counselling, University of Melbourne, Australia
Samantha Boland BSc (Hons) MSc
STP Trainee in Genomic Counsellor (2019 cohort)
Qualifications:
- BSc Human Biology (Honours), Bristol
- MSc Genomic Medicine, Exeter
Jamie Forrest BSc (Hons) MSc
STP Trainee in Genomic Counsellor (2020 cohort)
Qualifications:
- BSc Neuroscience (Honours), University of Leeds
- MSc Psychology, University of Hertfordshire
Megan Jones BSc (Hons)
STP Trainee in Genomic Counsellor (2019 cohort)
Qualifications: BSc Cellular and Molecular Medicine (Honours), University of Bristol
Family History Co-ordinators Team
Emma Ablett
Genomic Assistant
Qualifications: BSc (Honours) Biology, Oxford Brookes University
Emma's role consists of the delivery of the New Genomic Medicine service, which includes Whole Genome Sequencing, to patients and their relatives.
Fiona Elbourn
General Genetics Family History Co-ordinator
Fiona is a specialist nurse and contacts some patients before their appointment. This is to obtain some additional information about the person referred, detailed family history and discuss any concerns about the referral.
Gill Higgs
Cancer Genetics Triage Nurse
Qualifications:
- BA (Honours) Social Science with Psychological Studies, Open University
- BSc Adult Nursing, Oxford Brookes University
- PGC (Distinction) Cancer Studies, Oxford Brookes University
Gill's background is in oncology nursing. Her role involves gathering family histories and providing risk assessments for patients referred to the Cancer Genetics Service.
Wioletta Hurdha
Administrative Assistant
Last reviewed:15 February 2022