2024 Leadership Team

Shixi Zhao, Ph.D., CHES., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Exercise & Sports Sciences at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Zhao is a health behavior social scientist, with specific training and expertise in public health genomics and quantitative research methodology. He has been actively involved in health behavior research with a focus in 1)genomics education/communication for families of children with autism spectrum disorders, 2) the role of family health history education in cancer control and prevention, and 3) the mental behavioral health disparities among Asian Americans using community-based participatory research approach.

​

Contact Shixi at shixizhao@unm.edu

Andrea Durst, DrPH, MS, CGC is an Assistant Professor and currently the Director of the MPH in Public Health Genetics Program and Associate Director of the Genetic Counseling Program at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health.  She received her MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her DrPH in Health Management and Policy from the University of Kentucky.  Dr. Durst has extensive experience in clinical cancer genetic counseling, management, and public health genetics.  She is currently working on several public health genetics projects including serving as the Chair of the Advisory Committee for the New York Mid-Atlantic and Caribbean (NYMAC) Regional Genetics Network and as Co-Chair of the Cancer Genetics/Genomics Workgroup for the Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition.  She has been a member of the APHA Genomics Forum since 2016 and is excited to be serving her second year on the Forum’s Leadership Team.

​

Contact Andrea at adurst@pitt.edu

Jodi is a PhD candidate at Indiana University in the department of Applied Health Science. She completed her Master’s in Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh with a concentration in Public Health genetics. Her research focuses on how individual genetic risk interplays with environmental factors to impact internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Jodi has been a member of APHA since 2019 and has served in multiple leadership roles including the Student Liaison for the Mental Health section, the Social Chair for the Student Assembly, and currently the Programming Chair for the Student Assembly.

​

Contact Jodi at kutznerjodi@gmail.com

Juliana Musonda is a professional who holds a master’s degree in public health with a focus on health policy and management. With a background in Business Administration and Human Resources and more than 10 years of work experience in both public and private sectors, she recently transitioned careers into public health. Her goal is to significantly contribute to society’s well-being and play as an equalizer between public and business health. By focusing on being an equalizer, Juliana has gained practical public health work experience with NYC agencies engaging in community outreach and engagement, tracking legislations, ensuring efficient and practical policy recommendations, and staying updated with council hearings. Over the years, her strengths include attention to detail, clear and precise ability to communicate, concise understanding of issues at hand, etc. to mention but a few. She has garnered some recognition by accomplishing significant growth within her career and by recently being selected as one of 10 students in the first-of-its-kind CUNY Michael Meng Fellowship. When not at work, Juliana enjoys outdoor activities and loves spending time with friends and family.

​

Contact Juliana at Juliana.Musonda71@sphmail.cuny.edu

Karmen is an MPH Candidate at the University of Pittsburgh studying Public Health Genetics. Her current research investigates perceptions and behaviors of pediatric providers with regards to universal screening strategies for Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), a Tier I CDC Genomics Application condition. She also works as a Research Associate and Communications Specialist on the CDC New Vaccine Surveillance Network Study at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, which is a national epidemiological study investigating the efficacy of vaccines for protection against acute viral illnesses. Karmen has a background in neuroscience and obtained her BS of Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience in her home state of Colorado from Colorado State University (Go Rams!). Outside of work, Karmen enjoys baking, embroidery, crocheting, and hiking.

​

Contact Karmen at KMR199@pitt.edu

Haley Director, MPH, is a PhD student in Health Services Research and Policy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. She holds an MPH in Public Health Genetics and a certificate in Health Equity. Haley's research and professional interests surround genetic policy, including expanding insurance coverage for genetic testing, developing policy for Medicare to contract with genetic counselors, and exploring the impact of federal and state statutes on prenatal genetic testing rates, and equitable enactment of new policies. Currently, Haley's research focuses on maternal and child health, specifically evaluating the impact of policy regarding access to abortion and prenatal care on infant mortality. Outside of school, Haley likes to read, spend time with friends, and watch sports, especially hockey.

​

Contact Haley at hrd14@pitt.edu

Coming soon!

Dr. Karen Niemchick is an assistant professor teaching epidemiology and genetics in the Master of Public Health program at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI.  She is involved in several organizations working in genomics including the Inter Society Coordinating Committee for Practitioner Education in Genomics (ISCC-PEG) specifically pharmacogenomics, National Coordinating Committee for Public Health Genetics Week, and the Midwest Genetics Network.  

Karen has been involved in the Genomics Forum since 2017 and has attended and chaired the Genomics Forum Research, Education, and Policy Committee and chaired the Genomics Forum.  She has also published several articles relating to genomics education, and genomics services.

​

Contact Karen at niemchik@gvsu.edu

Marlene Linders is the President and CEO of Philders Group International, Inc., a healthcare consulting firm. She holds a degree in architecture, nursing science and a Master’s degree in science. She is a National Speaker on Infectious Diseases, and one of two women in the USA that are Distinguished Lecturers (DL) for ASHRAE. Ms. Linders, as a DL for ASHRAE, went on a global speaking program about health and safety, infection control, cross contamination, and its impact on the patient population during construction.  Ms. Linders is also the Executive Director for The Linders Health Institute, which addresses safety, compliance and exposure risks during construction of healthcare buildings and the built environment. The Institute’s ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) course has obtained global recognition and is now used as the USGBC’s course for healthcare and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for continuing education. Additionally, the Institute’s one hour online awareness program is now used by many healthcare systems to provide awareness and safety training to contractors and service providers about infection control during real work time.

​

Contact Marlene at mlinders@phildersgroup.net