Harini Nagappan

Harini is a third-year Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics student at UCLA. She’s the outreach director of the Transfer Research Club on campus as well as the incoming vice-president of the Genetic Counseling Student Interest Group. She’s also working on Alzheimer's and dementia research in Dr. Timothy Chang’s lab where she is studying how to improve patient and caregiver understanding of genetics and dementias. She is currently an intern at My Gene Counsel where she creates patient information info-graphics that easily explains complex genetic concepts for gastrointestinal cancers such as GAPPS (Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Proximal Polyposis of the Stomach). She is passionate about bioethics and informed decision making, creating collaborative treatment plans and enabling independence while giving compassionate care. She is currently working toward her goal of becoming a genetic counselor and creating a research backed and educated practice for her patients. At CSNK2A1 she is researching the effect of mutated casein kinase II (CK2) protein on cilia function with Dr. Gabrielle Rushing. She is specifically looking at primary neuronal cells and explaining possible bio-chemical protein mediated mechanisms for the neurological OCNDS symptoms we see. In her free time, she loves to knit, explore ice-cream shops, and watch sit-coms.