Ali Khalaf

Board-certified genetic counselor in Las Vegas specializing in high-volume, patient-centered cancer genetic counseling. Led legislative initiatives for genetic counselor licensure in Nevada and founded the Genetic Counselor's Association of Nevada. Focused on enhancing genetic testing awareness and hereditary oncology care through evidence-based communication and clinical innovation.

Oncology Genetic Counselor

Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, 03/2024-present | Las Vegas, NV

• Independently managing a high-volume oncology genetic counseling practice, providing care to approximately 30 new patients per week
• Founded and in process of implementing a high-risk gastrointestinal cancer genetics program to support risk assessment, surveillance, and management of patients with hereditary GI cancer syndromes
• Established a novel institutional process for performing skin punch biopsies to facilitate germline genetic testing in patients with active hematological malignancies
• Conduct ongoing educational initiatives for primary care, gastroenterology, and women’s health practices in Las Vegas to integrate oncology genetic counseling into routine clinical referral pathways
• Co-led Nevada’s genetic counseling licensure initiative, culminating in the successful passage of SB189 and the establishment of state licensure for genetic counselors

Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners Genetic Counseling Advisory Council

Las Vegas, Nevada

• Appointed to the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners Genetic Counseling Clinical Advisory Council, providing expert guidance on licensure, clinical standards, and regulatory issues to support safe, ethical genetic counseling practice statewide.

Clinical Advisory Council Genetics Subcommittee

US Oncology, McKesson

• Selected to represent Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada as a clinical advisory council member, collaborating with genetic professionals from cancer centers nationwide under US Oncology,McKesson to guide clinical strategy and program development/advancement.

Genetic Counselors Association of Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

• Founder of the Genetic Counselors Association of Nevada, leading statewide efforts to improve access to genetic services and advance public and provider knowledge of genetics.

Speaker | Nevada Cancer Coalition Summit | September 18th 2026 

Reno, Nevada
From DNA to Diagnosis: Accelerating Early Detecting Strategies

• Invited to present an educational session on hereditary cancer genetics and its application in oncology care in 2026 to a multidisciplinary audience of healthcare professionals.

Graduate Laboratory Rotation – Invitae Genetics | June–August 2022

Remote

• Delivered three disease-state presentations to specialized genetic counselors on immunology, inherited metabolic disorders, and hematologic malignancies, communicating complex genetic concepts and emerging scientific evidence to a highly specialized audience.

Huntsman Cancer Institute, 6- week pediatric oncology rotation

University of Utah 03/2023 – 04/2023 | Salt Lake City, UT

• Counseled and coordinated care in both the outpatient and inpatient setting for patients with childhood tumors as well as adults/children with hematological malignancies.
• Participated and improved clinical skills throughout the 6 weeks in various high-risk clinics (Breast, GI, PCC/PGL, Renal,BMF).
• Developed and presented an educational presentation on genetic testing methodologies to a molecular biology university course.

Huntsman Cancer Institute, 6-week general oncology rotation

University of Utah 01/2023 – 03/2023 | Salt Lake City, UT

• Provided cancer genetic counseling services to patients in the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic and in specialty provider clinics for inpatients and outpatients (including Breast, Gastrointestinal (GI), Genitourinary (GU), and Pediatric).
• Attended Breast, GI, GU, and Pediatric Tumor Board Case Management Conferences.
• Observed screening procedures such as colonoscopies and mammograms.

Primary Children's, 6-week general pediatrics rotation

University of Utah 11/2022 – 01/2022 | Salt Lake City, UT

• Provided genetic counseling and follow-up for patients and families with birth defects, neuromuscular conditions, growth disorders, developmental delays, and a wide range of genetic conditions and chromosomal abnormalities.
• Provided genetic counseling services in several multidisciplinary specialty clinics (hearing loss, NF, OI, skeletal dysplasia, and TSC) and department meetings, including weekly case conferences.
• Discussed and obtained informed consent for patients considering whole exome sequencing, chromosomal microarray, panel testing, predictive testing, FISH, and karyotype.

Primary Children's, 6- week pediatric cardiology rotation

University of Utah 10/2022 – 11/2022 | Salt Lake City, UT

• Counseled and coordinated care in both the outpatient and inpatient setting for patients with inherited cardiovascular conditions, including congenital heart defects, aortopathies, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathies.
• Collaborated and communicated patient information with the teams medical geneticists and cardiologists.
• Developed educational materials to improve patient counseling on complex genetic topics.

IMC, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic, 6- week prenatal rotation

Intermountain Healthcare 08/2022 – 10/2022 | Murray, UT

• Provided in person and telehealth genetic counseling in a fast-paced, dynamic clinic to patients facing a variety of high risk prenatal and preconception indications.
• Engaged with multiple health care professionals including perinatologists and general obstetricians to provide genetics education and coordinate effective patient care.

Invitae Laboratory, 7- week variant interpretation rotation

Invitae 06/2022 – 08/2022 | Remote

• Applied available gene-specific clinical and molecular data to classify/assist in classifying variant pathogenicity.
• Assessed computational, functional, population, and allelic data to classify variants for clinical genetic test reports.
• Learned the basic components of gene curation at Invitae and completed group mini-projects on gene curation specific to Invitae's internal platform.

Myriad Genetics Laboratory, 2- week laboratory rotation

Myriad Genetics 06/2022 | Salt Lake City, UT

• Observed genetic counselors in telemedicine education and customer service roles.
• Presented an educational lecture on Next Generation Sequencing.

ARUP Laboratory, 3- week laboratory rotation

ARUP 05/2022 – 06/2022 | Salt Lake City, UT

• Interpreted test results and determined the appropriateness of test orders in biochemical, cytogenetic, and molecular subspecialties.
• Delivered case presentations, including a description of test methodology and result interpretation to a multidisciplinary audience.

Pregnancy Risk Line, 1- week public health rotation

Utah State Department of Health 05/2022 | Salt Lake City, UT

• Presented information on multiple different teratogenic agents after literature and database review.
• Participated in training seminars and call observations regarding occupational exposures, infectious agents, psychotropics, and substance of abuse.

Masters Research Project

University of Utah 10/2021 – 04/2023

• Developed and executed an independent research project titled “Metabolic Parameters and Clinical Outcomes in patients with Argininosuccinate Acid Synthase and Lyase Deficiencies”
• Defended the project in April 2023 in a 45-minute formal Master’s Research Defense
• Presented research at the University of Utah Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling Research Day in April 2023

Research Assistant- Life Events Lab

University of California, Riverside 02/2019 – 09/2019

• Conducted research and data collection for Dr. Kate Sweeny's Life events Lab, including performing qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis.
• Communicated/collaborated with colleagues to gain insight on data, address research questions, and better understand the field of social psychology.

American Board of Genetic Counseling