SAMAH AKHTER
Shoreline,WA
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Upcoming Project - Patient Resource Developer
NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders)
Virtual
08.2025 - 09.2025
- Developing a patient-focused educational resource on early-onset progressive encephalopathy with brain atrophy and thin corpus callosum (PEBAT).
- Writing clear, accessible scientific content for patients and families.
Instructor/Facilitator - Spirituality, Faith & GC
University of Washington Genetic Counseling Graduate Program
Seattle, WA
05.2025 - 06.2025
- Developed educational content for a class and organized a panel discussion on faith and genetic counseling.
Participant
Tet Festival Health Fair
Seattle, WA
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Patient Resource Creator | Jan 2025
Developed a patient-focused educational resource for hematological genetic disorders, simplifying complex genetic information for community members.
Presenter
World DNA Day Conference
Pondicherry, India
04.2024 - 04.2024
- Presented virtually on carrier screening in reproductive health.h
Genetic Counseling Intern - Prenatal
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
01.2024 - 03.2024
- Drafted clinical documentation including consent forms, inheritance risk assessments, and psychosocial evaluation notes following ACOG and SMFM guidelines.
- Provided genetic counseling for chromosomal abnormalities, carrier screening, prenatal screening, invasive testing, and ultrasound markers
Genetic Counseling Intern - Pediatric (Medical Genetics and Hematology)
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, WA
10.2023 - 12.2023
- Drafted patient-friendly educational summaries and clinical documentation on genetic conditions.
- Collaborated with geneticists, nurses, dietitians, and social workers for patient care
Presenter
Washington State Genetic Counseling Journal Club
Seattle, WA
10.2023 - 10.2023
- Created a presentation for the journal article 'Effects of Genetic Counselor Disabilities on Their Professional Experiences.'
Genetic Counseling Intern - Adult and Cancer
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Developed written summaries on hereditary cancer syndromes and adult-onset conditions for both patients and providers.
- Created educational content explaining testing protocols, potential results, risks, benefits, and psychosocial implications in accordance with NCCN guidelines, based on NCCN guidelines.
Family Outreach Navigator - Research/Outreach
ConnectMyVariant
Seattle, WA
04.2023 - 06.2023
- Created content for patients with pathogenic variants, translating complex genetic data into accessible language.
- Conducted literature reviews using ClinVar and PubMed, synthesizing research into clear, written content for patients and clinicians.
Education
Master of Science - Genetic Counseling
University of Washington
Seattle, WA03.2024
Skills
- Medical Writing & Scientific Communication
- Clinical Documentation & Patient Education Materials
- Research & Literature Review (PubMed, ClinVar, GeneReviews)
- Team collaboration
- Data Analysis & Summaries
- Content Development & Educational Design
- Tools: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Slack, Canva
- Community Outreach
- Advocacy
Certification
- ABGC Certified, 22374
- WA State License, GT 61672334
Volunteer Experience
- Medical Writer, MedReport Foundation, Virtual, 03/01/25, Present, Contributed to the development of clear, concise, and scientifically accurate medical/genetics content, tailored for a general audience.
- Content Creator, LinkedIn (Personal Newsletter - Genes & Chai), Virtual, 02/01/25, Present, Authored reflections on genetic counseling, faith wellness, and professional growth and practice, Created accessible content that encourages reflection and discussion in the genetics community
- Advocacy - RARE Compassion Program, Global Genes, Virtual, 03/01/23, 11/30/23, Interviewed families with rare genetic conditions (Galactosemia, OTC, CF, and PKU) and documented patient experiences.
- Care Line Counselor, San Francisco Night Ministry, San Francisco, CA, 03/01/21, 06/30/22, Provided high-level customer service and support to individuals in need of emotional support through phone calls (4-hour shifts/week)
Research
- Capstone: Designing gene panel for Aplastic Anemia, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 06/01/23, 03/31/24, Designed an aplastic anemia gene panel, ensuring clinical utility and developing a statement of medical necessity and provider resources
- DNA Repair Gene Polymorphisms in Cardiovascular Disease Research Project, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India, 01/01/19, 05/31/19, Collected patient data (medical history, lifestyle) and conducted PCR, genotyping, and data analysis on the association between XRCC3 and hOGG1 and Coronary Artery Disease
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Upcoming Project - Patient Resource Developer
NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders)
08.2025 - 09.2025
Instructor/Facilitator - Spirituality, Faith & GC
University of Washington Genetic Counseling Graduate Program
05.2025 - 06.2025
Presenter
World DNA Day Conference
04.2024 - 04.2024
Participant
Tet Festival Health Fair
01.2024 - 01.2025
Genetic Counseling Intern - Prenatal
University of Washington
01.2024 - 03.2024
Genetic Counseling Intern - Pediatric (Medical Genetics and Hematology)
Seattle Children's Hospital
10.2023 - 12.2023
Presenter
Washington State Genetic Counseling Journal Club
10.2023 - 10.2023
Genetic Counseling Intern - Adult and Cancer
University of Washington
06.2023 - 08.2023
Family Outreach Navigator - Research/Outreach
ConnectMyVariant
04.2023 - 06.2023
Master of Science - Genetic Counseling
University of Washington
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