Saad Akhtar

Saad Akhtar is a current 3rd year dual degree masters in Public Health and Genetic counseling student at the University of Pittsburgh. Saad graduated with a degree in Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016. After graduating, Saad worked in a variety of different roles in the Boston area, including as a lab technician for a genetic sequencing company, an EMT and a site coordinator for a small clinic. His interest in genetics and desire to work in a patient facing role led to his pursuit of a career in Genetic Counseling which led him to Pittsburgh in the fall of 2021 to pursue his masters.  

Saad’s professional interests include health equity efforts in the field of Public Health Genetics, addressing social justice and diversity issues in Genetic Counseling and working with underserved and minority populations. As a student at Pitt, he cites his experience in a community health focused course and work during his practicum as an intern in a violence prevention program for Bridging the Gaps as some of the most influential experiences. His goals as a LEND trainee are to increase his knowledge of the issues facing people with neurodevelopmental disabilities both in and out of a clinical setting and to develop his leadership skills in an interdisciplinary team.