I launched a brand new science podcast network called Gene Pool Media, two weeks ago on DNA Day, April 25th. The response has been amazing, so thank you to everyone who has been supportive, especially the podcasts that have joined the network including… RealPharma Beyond The Thesis with Papa PhD DNA Dialogues It Happened To Me #ThroughTheGenes Demystifying Genetics PhenoTips Speaker Series All Access DNA Two brand new shows debuting this year: one in the rare disease space and another exploring ...
May 09, 2025•52 min•Ep. 340
A week ago on DNA Day, April 25th, I launched a brand new science podcast network called Gene Pool Media. The response has been amazing, so thank you to everyone who has been supportive, especially the podcasts that have joined the network including… RealPharma Beyond The Thesis with Papa PhD DNA Dialogues It Happened To Me #ThroughTheGenes Demystifying Genetics PhenoTips Speaker Series All Access DNA Two brand new shows debuting this year: one in the rare disease space and another exploring the...
May 02, 2025•45 min•Ep. 339
Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) are rare inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) caused by enzyme or transporter deficiencies in the urea cycle, which is responsible for protein metabolism. These conditions can present at any age with acute, chronic, and intermittent symptoms of hyperammonemia. The first UCD was described over 50 years ago and while many “unknowns” about UCDs still remain, the way we think about and treat these conditions today is evolving. In this second episode of a series focused on t...
Apr 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 338
Submitting a research paper for publication can be an overwhelming process, especially for early-career researchers. How do you choose the right journal? What are editors really looking for? And how can you improve your chances of acceptance? To answer these questions and more we are joined by two editors from Wiley’s Advanced Portfolio. Dr. Lei Lei is a Senior Manager of Wiley’s Advanced Portfolio and Deputy Editor of Advanced Science. Dr. Alanna Gannon is Deputy Editor of Advanced Science and ...
Apr 18, 2025•36 min•Ep. 337
It’s an in-person episode! On Sarah Lawrence College’s campus, host Kira Dineen interviews former classmate Carli Andrews, MS, CGC. We explore the evolving landscape of continuing education for genetic counselors. Carli joins us to discuss GC+ Academy, an innovative educational initiative designed to enhance professional skills and provide continuing education units (CEUs) for genetic counselors. She shares insights into the academy’s unique learning model, which integrates real-world applicatio...
Apr 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 336
This conversation is a follow-up to Episode #326: How DNA Solves Crimes – The Forensic Science Behind True Crime , where we explored the role of DNA in forensic investigations including the infamous O.J. Simpson case. Dr. Henry Erlich returns to the show to talk about human ancestry and evolution. Dr. Henry Erlich has authored over 450 publications and spent decades applying DNA analysis to criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and ancestry research. His work has helped us trace human ...
Apr 04, 2025•31 min•Ep. 335
To recap the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) held in Los Angeles, host Kira Dineen is joined by Karl Krahn. The conference ended Saturday so instead of waiting until Friday to share this episode we released it early. Through this conversation, Kira and Karl reflect on their first attendance at the ACMG conference. They share insights on the sessions and events they attended, highlighting the engaging discussions and expert panels that made the conference memorable. Kira gives shout o...
Mar 24, 2025•32 min•Ep. 334
To celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (which is today March 21st, 2025) our host Kira Dineen sits down with Carissa Carroll, the founder of Jack’s Basket, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating babies with Down syndrome and supporting their families. Inspired by her son Jack, Carissa launched Jack’s Basket to provide new parents with resources, encouragement, and community connections. In this heartfelt conversation, we explore: The power of celebrating every baby with Down syndrome How healthcare ...
Mar 21, 2025•36 min•Ep. 333
This week we attended the 2025 Connecticut Rare Disease Forum organized by BioCT and held at the beautiful Jackson Laboratory. This afternoon was filled with industry-led discussions on innovation in rare disease diagnostics and treatments, along with the promising impact of these advancements on patient outcomes. After the events wrapped, I caught up with Pamela Gavin, who serves as the President and CEO of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). She was on the panel, “Bringing Sci...
Mar 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 332
This is our third installment in our new Mock Genetic Counseling Session Series! In this episode, pediatric genetic counselor Miranda Di Biase and students Claire Zimlinghaus and Joy Lin perform a mock pediatric genetic counseling session. This session’s indication is one of the most common in pediatric genetics: autism. This session was recorded in person, providing a more dynamic and engaging learning experience therefore, we highly recommend watching it on YouTube to fully immerse yourself in...
Mar 07, 2025•54 min•Ep. 331
Happy Rare Disease Day! We are celebrating by shining a light on Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome (WSS), which is a rare genetic condition that affects development, growth, and overall health. Joining us are Caleb and Abbi Wahl, parents to two daughters, one of whom, Jenni Anne, was diagnosed with WSS after a seven-year diagnostic odyssey. They share: 🧬 Early signs & the long road to diagnosis 💡 How they processed & adapted to the diagnosis 🤝 Resources & the support that made a differen...
Feb 28, 2025•32 min•Ep. 330
How can preventive genomic medicine save $200 billion annually in healthcare costs? Dr. Matthew Rabinowitz breaks it down in this episode. Dr. Rabinowitz—a true pioneer in genetics, diagnostics, and AI—who’s been at the forefront of transforming how we approach health and medicine. Dr. Rabinowitz isn’t just a scientist; he’s a visionary who’s helped create groundbreaking technologies, from revolutionizing pregnancy care to tracking cancer through blood tests. In 2024, he was named R&D Leader...
Feb 21, 2025•35 min•Ep. 328
This week, I attended BIO’s CEO and Investor Conference in New York City—one of the largest investor gatherings in the biotech industry. The conference, organized by BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization), brings together institutional investors, industry analysts, and senior executives to discuss the latest biotech advancements and investment opportunities. At the conference, I attended insightful panel discussions and company presentations where biotech CEOs shared their latest breakthrou...
Feb 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 329
February marks Rare Disease Month, and we’re kicking it off with an incredible advocate in the rare disease community— Gay Grossman ! Gay is the co-founder of ADCY5.org , a foundation dedicated to supporting individuals with ADCY5-related movement disorder. Her advocacy journey began with her daughter, Lilly, who went undiagnosed for 15 years before becoming the first known patient with a full-body presentation of ADCY5-related movement disorder. Since then, Gay has transformed her personal expe...
Feb 07, 2025•40 min•Ep. 327
True crime dominates the podcasting world, but what about the genetic aspects behind these cases? In this episode of DNA Today, we dive into the pivotal role of DNA in forensic science with Dr. Henry Erlich, a pioneer in DNA analysis and a key figure in developing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. His work has transformed the criminal justice system, from solving cases to overturning wrongful convictions. Dr. Henry Erlich has authored over 450 publications and spent decades applying DN...
Jan 31, 2025•45 min•Ep. 326
We explore cutting-edge technologies transforming genetic variant curation: multiplexed assays of variant effect (MAVEs). Joining us are two leading experts in the field: Dr. Lea Starita, Associate Professor at the University of Washington and Co-Director of the Brotman Baty Advanced Technology Lab. Dr. Douglas Fowler, Professor of Genome Sciences and Co-Director of the Center for the Multiplexed Assessment of Phenotype. Together, they break down how these groundbreaking methods work, their adva...
Jan 24, 2025•36 min•Ep. 325
With millions of people now taking GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, I was curious to learn if there are known genetic mutations that predispose people to have serious side effects from these medications. So exploring the pharmacogenomic aspects of Ozempic and Wegovy. To answer these questions Dr. Josiah Allen is joining the show. Josiah Allen, PharmD, has spent over 15 years in the field of pharmacogenomics, beginning at the Mayo Clinic where he helped develop the GeneSight test. As a fou...
Jan 17, 2025•35 min•Ep. 324
Urea cycle disorders (UCDs) are rare inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) caused by enzyme or transporter deficiencies in the urea cycle, which is responsible for protein metabolism. These conditions can present at any age with acute, chronic, and intermittent symptoms of hyperammonemia. The first UCD was described over 50 years ago and while many “unknowns” about UCDs still remain, the way we think about and treat these conditions today is evolving. In this first episode of a series focused on th...
Jan 10, 2025•29 min•Ep. 323
Two years of treatment—two years of strength, courage, and blazing a trail for other nano-rare patients! In this special episode drop, we’re revisiting the inspiring journey of Susannah, whose story was the first ever shared on the Patient Empowerment Program podcast. Now, two years later, Susannah’s father, Luke Rosen, and her physician, Dr. Jennifer Bain, join us to share her remarkable progress since beginning regular treatments. They highlight incredible improvements in Susannah’s motor skil...
Jan 03, 2025•41 min•Ep. 323
On Episode 310 , we explored the powerful work of Father Founded, an organization dedicated to reuniting Amerasian families separated by war. We shared the heartwarming story of Scott McMullen, a retired firefighter and veteran, who discovered his long-lost daughter through the group's efforts. With how popular this episode was, we wanted to share another story from Father Founded. So we are going to hear from John Haines about his family’s story and volunteer Angela Simmons-Jones’s role. John’s...
Dec 27, 2024•35 min•Ep. 322
“DNA Today” isn’t the only podcast that Kira Dineen produces. She also is involved on the production of other genetics shows like the Journal of Genetic Counseling’s new podcast “ DNA Dialogues ”, n-Lorem’s “ Patient Empowerment Program ”, Know Rare’s “ Rare Insights ”, The PhenoTips’ Speaker Series , and relevant to this episode, she is the Executive Producer of “ It Happened To Me ” explores rare diseases and medical challenges. One of the other shows is called “It Happened To Me” which explor...
Dec 20, 2024•43 min•Ep. 321
With 2025 right around the corner, we are discussing the brand new CPT Code 96041 that will be effective January 1st, 2025. This is a game-changer for the genetic counseling profession, and we have two experts to break it down for us. Dr. Colleen Campbell is in the last weeks of her NSGC presidency. She also serves as the Director of Genetic Counseling Operations for University of Iowa Health Care. We’re also joined by Brian Reys, a cancer genetic counselor and manager at UT Southwestern’s Cance...
Dec 13, 2024•35 min•Ep. 320
To celebrate the year coming to an end, we are reflecting back on the top genetics and genomics Bruce D. Gelb, M.D. is the outgoing President of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG). He is also the Director and Gogel Family Professor of the Mindich Child Health and Development Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is Professor of Pediatrics and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences. Dr. Gelb completed a pediatric residency and pediatric cardiology fellowship at Babies ...
Dec 06, 2024•49 min•Ep. 319
We're excited to release our second installment in our new Mock Genetic Counseling Session series! In this installment, our host Genetic Counselor Kira Dineen and student Annette Grynspan perform a mock prenatal genetic counseling session. This prenatal session’s indication is one of the most common: advanced maternal age (AMA). This session was recorded in person, providing a more dynamic and engaging learning experience therefore, we highly recommend watching it on YouTube to fully immerse you...
Nov 29, 2024•54 min•Ep. 317
Discover how Connect My Variant, a groundbreaking nonprofit, is revolutionizing the way families share crucial genetic information. Dr. Brian Shirts and Katy Meta reveal how their organization bridges the gap between genetic testing and family communication, potentially saving lives through early detection and prevention. Brian Shirts, M.D. is ConnectMyVariant’s President, Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Director of the Institute for Public Health Genetics at the Un...
Nov 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 316
We explore a remarkable story of genetics, family history, and groundbreaking research with Dr. Susan Liebman and Dr. Elizabeth McNally. Together, they’ve identified a genetic mutation with life-saving implications for families affected by inherited heart conditions, like Dr. Liebman’s own. Meet Our Guests: Dr. Susan Liebman is a trailblazing molecular geneticist who uses yeast as a model organism to study prions and human protein misfolding diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s. Her research als...
Nov 15, 2024•38 min•Ep. 315
We’re back from the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2024 Annual Meeting in beautiful Denver, Colorado! This episode recaps the highlights, discussions, and discoveries from five packed days of cutting-edge genetics and genomics science. Every year, ASHG brings together researchers, clinicians, students, and industry leaders to share advancements, and this year was no exception. In this recap, our Kira Dineen reflects on the vibrant atmosphere at ASHG and shares conversations with confe...
Nov 09, 2024•26 min•Ep. 314
Dr. Joanne Donovan, Chief Medical Officer at Edgewise Therapeutics, join the show to discuss Becker Muscular Dystrophy (Becker) and emerging treatments. We dive into Dr. Donovan’s role at Edgewise and the company’s research into treatments for Becker and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. At the forefront of this research is sevasemten, an investigational fast myosin inhibitor designed to combat contraction-induced muscle injury, which plays a significant role in muscle deterioration for those living ...
Nov 01, 2024•27 min•Ep. 313
We are learning about an exciting, newer career in the genomics field: genome health analyst. This role is rapidly gaining importance as the demand for interpreting personal genomic data continues to grow, and healthcare systems need more professionals trained to make this data clinically actionable. Joining us are Dr. Claire Davis and Anna Cantor, Co-Directors of the new Master's of Science in Genome Health Analysis program, which is a collaboration between NYU Grossman School of Medicine and S...
Oct 25, 2024•32 min•Ep. 312
We're excited to announce the launch of our new Mock Genetic Counseling Session series! In our first installment, genetic counselor Catherine Mayo and student Ariel Modeste perform a mock cancer genetic counseling session, offering insight into how genetic testing for cancer risks is discussed with patients. This session was recorded in person, providing a more dynamic and engaging learning experience therefore, we highly recommend watching it on YouTube to fully immerse yourself in the interact...
Oct 18, 2024•35 min•Ep. 311
