Alison Kieffer is the Audience and Market Development Coordinator. Alison coordinates marketing operations and data analytics projects. She received her MBA from Husson University and BA in professional biology, with a minor in chemistry, from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Alison thru-hiked the 2,185.3-mile Appalachian Trail (AT) solo in 2014 and currently volunteers as the Maine AT Community Coordinator with the AT Conservancy. Alison enjoys hiking and backpacking with her lab, Wander, traveling the US and world, and adventuring outside with her family.

Adam McLean (he/him) is an instructional designer for JAX Genomic Education. A member of the Online & Digital team, Adam contributes to a wide variety of projects, most notably the development and maintenance of JAX Online MicroLessons and MiniCourses. Currently an Instructional Design Certificate candidate at the University of Maine, Adam brings many years of experience as an educator, curriculum writer, professional development leader, and instructional technologist. Adam is also a life-long musician, specializing in percussion, and holds degrees from The Boston Conservatory and Skidmore College. Outside of work, Adam enjoys playing badminton, making music, and biking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing in and around Acadia National Park with his wife and two children.

Online MiniCourses

Alexa Wnorowski (she/her) is a genomics education fellow at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Conn.  In her work, Alexa focuses on curriculum development, teaching, and educational programming for high school and undergraduate students. She builds on her experience teaching students from preschool to graduate school in a variety of formal and informal settings to develop STEM curriculum and programming that is evidence-based, engaging, and equitable.

Alexa received her B.S. in Bioengineering from Cornell University, and her Ph.D. in Bioengineering and M.A. in Education from Stanford University. In her free time, Alexa enjoys ballet, video games, hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family, dog, and three rats.

STEM Education

Bev Baccala (she/her) is a Program Administrator for Student and Postdoctoral Affairs for JAX Genomic Education in Bar Harbor, Maine. Prior to landing at JAX in 2023, Bev coordinated government, adult education, and non-profit programs as a public servant and a federal contractor. She earned a M.Ed. from Colorado State University, MPA from Florida State University, and B.A. in English from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Bev and her husband advocate lifelong learning, regularly inviting (not always mastering) new challenges, such as learning to juggle and play unique musical instruments.

TRAINING AT JAX

Bill Barter currently serves as the director of education platforms for The Jackson Laboratory’s Genomic Education team, having joined JAX in 2015 to help launch the Online and Digital Education division. Bill holds a B.A. in English and American Literature from Brandeis University and has worked in education since 1990. Bill has been fortunate to participate in a number of innovative programs, with an emphasis on the intersection of technology and STEM education. He and his family spend their free time in nature, enjoying all downeast Maine has to offer.

Online MiniCourses

Brent Berwin is the director of courses and workshops for JAX Genomic Education. His team is responsible for the innovation and execution of a variety of courses and workshops that provide educational opportunities to diverse sets of learners. Brent hails from Minnesota and received his B.S. in Biology from Lewis & Clark College (OR) and his Ph.D. from the Cellular and Molecular Biology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Outside of being a science dork, his current wars of attrition include finding time to actively enjoy the outdoors, achieving mediocrity in the occasional athletic event, cooking palatable food, convincing his family that fantasy baseball is a legit pastime and keeping up with his energetic son. 

Courses and Conferences

Charlie Wray is the vice president of education at The Jackson Laboratory. He focuses the majority of his time on education and training program development in genetics and genomics. In fact, Charlie has been a science educator since 1986, teaching high school and college and providing professional development for high school teachers and college professors. Recently, with other JAX colleagues, he created the Teaching the Genome Generation program, which aims to increase student genomic and genetic literacy by training and equipping high school teachers. Charlie received his Ph.D. from Yale University and B.A. from Amherst College. When not working Charlie and his family enjoy the woods and waters across the great state of Maine.

JAX Genomic Education

Christina is a genomics education and outreach program manager at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Conn. As a genetics education specialist, she focuses on the design, development, and implementation of courses and programming in genetics, genomics, and computational techniques for many learner types. Her projects range from behind-the-scenes work building lessons and organizing science events, to being in the spotlight teaching and presenting. Christina loves combining her passion for outreach and engagement with her content expertise in genetics to make science and STEM careers accessible and inclusive for all. Christina earned a B.S. in Neuroscience and a Ph.D. in Human Genetics from the University of Michigan. When she’s not thinking about science, Christina likes to travel and explore new places and foods, read novels, and spent time with family and friends.  

As a member of the JAX Genomic Education team, Dawn provides administrative support to the STEM & Undergraduate Education division, the Clinical and Continuing Education division, as well as to trainees at all levels of their education including Postdocs, Predocs, Postbaccs, Summer Students Program and Academic Year Fellows. Dawn has been at JAX since February 2019. She truly enjoys working on the education team and she is involved in several projects and courses taking place throughout the department. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Business. Outside of JAX, Dawn is extremely active in her home community volunteering as a member and leader on several committees. She believes committees benefit all walks of life, from children to veterans, and everyone in between. Her involvement in these committees has significantly increased the youth involvement in town-wide events. Dawn is also currently the President of the Toastmasters club at the JAX Genomic Medicine campus. 

JAX Genomic Education

Emaly Piecuch is a genomics educator on the JAX Genomic Education team based in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her ultimate career goal is to use her skills and education to disseminate the magic of science to everyone. She is happy to be an active member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Curriculum Development working groups. Emaly earned her B.S. in Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology from the Purdue University in 2012 and her Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics from The University of Connecticut in 2019. Emaly spends her free time reveling in the profound beauty of the natural world. Her favorite hobbies include hunting for mushrooms, whistling, and learning to cook authentic cuisines.

STEM Education

Emily is the director of clinical education at The Jackson Laboratory, where she develops education programs with the goal of integrating genetics and genomics into clinical practice. Emily is a board-certified genetic counselor with over ten years of experience in healthcare provider education, clinical genetics and program implementation and evaluation. She is passionate about collaborating with healthcare providers to develop and implement solutions that address patient, provider and system-level outcomes in genomic medicine. Emily is excited to be part of the JAX National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, as program coordinator of JAX’s first Cancer Education & Career Enhancement Core. Emily received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Mary Washington and her M.S. in Genetic Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a leader in the genetic counseling field and a past Board member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Emily enjoys spending time with her family, playing ultimate frisbee, skiing, cooking and gardening.

Clinical Education

Erica Gerace discovered a path to merge her passions for genetics and STEM education as a genomics education fellow at JAX in Farmington, Conn. A life-long fascination with genetics initially led Erica to biomedical research and then to the classroom, where she taught at the college and high school levels and used inquiry-based activities and authentic laboratories to teach the process of scientific discovery. Now, as a Genomics Educator, Erica combines her research and teaching experiences to design creative curricula for new and ongoing programs for college and high school students. Erica earned a B.S. in Biology from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in Biological & Biomedical Sciences from Harvard University. Erica spends her free time with her husband and two young daughters, but you can also find her outside running. When she gets the chance, Erica loves playing trivia and hiking.

STEM Education

Erin McDevitt is the manager of event planning in JAX Genomic Education. Erin joined The Jackson Laboratory's Courses & Workshops team in 2001. As part of her role Erin oversees the event planning team, event logistics and budget management for the department’s portfolio of courses, workshops and conferences. Erin received her M.S. in Meeting and Event Management. In her spare time Erin enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and dogs, Clara and Bonnie.  

Courses and Workshops

Jennifer Corrigan serves as the associate director of courses and workshops in JAX Genomic Education. She has worked at The Jackson Laboratory for over 20 years and has expertise in mouse genetics, bioinformatics, nomenclature, mouse surgery, assisted reproductive technologies and IACUC management and compliance. She has extensive experience developing, delivering and managing courses, including budgetary oversight and grant reporting responsibilities for supported courses. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys paddle boarding, tennis and family life.

Courses and Workshops

Kalisi Logan is a Clinical Genomic Educator at the Jackson Laboratory. In this role, she helps develop and deliver online genomic education for healthcare providers. She is passionate about raising awareness of the practical implications of genetics in healthcare and increasing access to genetic testing. Kalisi is a board-certified genetic counselor and has practiced in a variety of clinical settings while also developing new clinics. Kalisi received her B.S.A. in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin and obtained her M.S. in Genetic Counseling from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Outside of work, Kalisi enjoys traveling, going to the movies, and trying the latest Insta-worthy foods.

Clinical Education

Kate Reed serves as the director of precision oncology for the Clinical Education Program at The Jackson Laboratory. The team focuses on developing and implementing education to help clinicians integrate genetics and genomics into practice. Kate has worked in education for more than a decade. She is a board-certified genetic counselor and has previously practiced clinically in a variety of settings, including general genetics, cancer and neurology. Kate received her B.A. from Carleton College, her M.P.H. in Public Health Genetics from the University of Washington and her Sc.M. in Genetic Counseling from the joint Johns Hopkins University and National Human Genome Research Institute program. Working remotely from Asheville, NC, she enjoys exploring the mountains of Western North Carolina with her family.

Clinical Education

Katie joined the JAX Genomic Education team in 2019 and plans, organizes and manages administrative support activities for scientific courses, workshops, symposia and other educational events. Katie holds a B.A. from College of the Atlantic with a focus in Fine Art and Marine Biology. Her other interests include home renovation, bullet journaling, and spending time with her husband, son and dog. 

Courses and Conferences

Kristin Forester (she/her) is the Executive Assistant to the VP of Education. She is a master of anticipating needs and reading people, and as such, finds joy in supporting teams and their leaders so collectively they can achieve their goals. Though she has a B.A. in Religion from Trinity College, it’s her near 20 years of experience in various roles across the country and many types of industries that has really honed her skills as an EA.

Kristin moved to Bar Harbor in January 2022 and is actively trying to convince her partner Kevin that it is not in her, nor their son Rex’s, best interest to move into a school bus and drive around the country.

Laura Muller is the director of STEM and undergraduate programming for JAX Genomic Education. Laura’s work centers around programs like the Summer Student Program that give high school and college students opportunities to work with and learn from JAX researchers.  The goal of her work has always been to nurture the recognition of the importance of scientific thought to each one of our lives. She takes great pleasure in seeing people become excited about their own knowledge and abilities even as they expand their scientific boundaries. Laura has an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Bard College, and a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Texas at Austin. While Laura’s family enjoys all of Acadia, the rocks between Thunder Hole and the Point and the top of Champlain are their special places.

STEM Education

Lily joined the JAX team in Bar Harbor in 2022 as a Course and Conference Planner and helps with all of the logistics surrounding those events. After spending most of her career so far in a social services realm, Lily is excited to use her problem solving and creative thinking to support to her position. Lily holds a B.A. in Psychology from Roger Williams University. When not working she enjoys knitting, kayaking, and spending time with her dogs.

COURSES AND CONFERENCES

Linda Steinmark is a Project Manager on the JAX Clinical & Continuing Education team, where she helps develop and deliver genomic education for healthcare professionals in diverse settings. Linda received her B.A. in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania and her M.S. in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College. As a board certified and licensed genetic counselor, she also provides cancer genetic risk assessment and counseling at the Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute. Linda co-led successful efforts for licensure of genetic counselors in the state of Connecticut. She enjoys yoga, walks with friends, biking and spending time with family. 

Clinical and Continuing Education