Nicole Weise

Nicole Weise is a 2nd year graduate student in the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. While working towards her degree, Nicole worked as a veterinary assistant in a specialty and emergency animal hospital, where she cared for animals and counseled owners regarding treatments, costs, and at-home care. She later moved to San Diego, where she held an administrative position at a non-profit immunology research institute. During this time, she volunteered with the Trevor Project as a counselor, providing crisis counseling and suicide prevention counseling to LGBTQ youth. She also volunteered with UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center as a site project coordinator for the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC), which seeks to predict outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with systemic therapy. In this role, Nicole became interested in identifying and eliminating disparities in genetic testing rates among racial and ethnic minorities with prostate cancer. This experience contributed to her passion for the field of genetic counseling. 

During her graduate training, Nicole took an interest in pediatric genetic counseling, which often entails advocating for patient needs and identifying resources for patients and families. She believes patients deserve healthcare professionals that are willing to go above and beyond their role to achieve their shared needs and goals. She felt that these interests aligned with the mission of LEND. Nicole is excited to learn from, and alongside, individuals with disabilities and family advocates. She hopes that her training as a long-term LEND trainee will enable her to support and advocate for individuals as they navigate medical, education, and legal systems.