We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Ocasio Adorno to the Genetics and Genomics Academy Executive Committee as our new Program Manager! We thank Rebecca Stojancic for her three and a half years of service as Program Specialist for the GGA and we wish her the best as she starts her Physicians Assistant program at Oklahoma City University.

Jennifer K. Ocasio Adorno, PhD was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She earned her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she researched how specific genes support pediatric brain tumor growth in Dr. Tim Gershon’s lab. She joined Dr. Suzanne Baker’s lab at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a postdoctoral fellow to further her studies investigating the genomic dependencies underpinning pediatric brain tumors. After completing her postdoctoral training, she joined the Academic Programs Office at St. Jude, where she worked with trainees at all stages to further their career and professional development. She then transitioned to Duke University, where she directed the BioCoRE Program to promote research engagement and support biomedical graduate students. Throughout her career, Dr. Ocasio has demonstrated remarkable commitment to mentoring and furthering the next generation of scientists and professionals. She has developed and led multiple programs, workshops and events to engage and enhance professional and career development training for hundreds of undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, graduate, and postdoctoral trainees. She is very excited to continue supporting scientists at all stages as she joins North Carolina State University as the Program Manager for the Genetics and Genomics Academy.