Three Westminster College 2008 graduates who majored in biology or molecular biology will be attending master's programs in genetic counseling.

Hannah Colabrese, who majored in molecular biology and minored in chemistry, will attend the master of science program in genetic counseling at Case Western Reserve University. Her senior capstone project, "UV-Induced DNA Damage and its Molecular Recognition by T4 DNA Polymerase," was advised by Dr. Patrick McCarthy, Westminster professor of biology. Colabrese, a daughter of Mark and Sandra Colabrese of Jefferson Hills, is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School.

Elena Infante, who majored in biology and graduated cum laude, will attend the master of science program in genetic counseling at the University of Pittsburgh. Her senior capstone project, "An Analysis of the Effect of Various Concentrations of 3-hydroxykynurenine on Eye Color Development in cinnabar Mutants of Drosophila melanogaster," was advised by McCarthy. Infante, a daughter of Ronald and Luann Infante of Canfield, Ohio, is a graduate of Canfield High School.

Shelley Perschke, who majored in molecular biology and graduated cum laude, will attend the master of science program in genetic counseling at the University of Pittsburgh. Her senior capstone research project, "The Effect of Phthalates on HoxA13 Gene Expression in Ambystoma Mexicanum," was selected for presentation at the 2008 National Conference for Undergraduate Research at Salisbury (Md.) University. Her faculty adviser was Dr. Joshua Corrette-Bennett, Westminster associate professor of biology. Perschke, a daughter of Thomas and Jenny Perschke of Renfrew, is a graduate of Butler Area High School.

"Completion of the human genome project (2003) and rapid advances in understanding the molecular basis of human diseases and disorders have increased the importance of genetic counseling in healthcare and medicine," Corrette-Bennett said.

"Case Western Reserve University received over 40 applications for their genetic counseling program, and Colabrese was one of only four students accepted," he explained. "The University of Pittsburgh received over 200 applications for their program, and Infante and Perschke were two of the 10 they accepted. Just the fact that all three Westminster students were selected for interviews at eight of the 14 counseling programs to which they collectively applied speaks volumes about the character and undergraduate accomplishments of these three students."

Contact Corrette-Bennett at (724) 946-7208 or e-mail corretjc@westminster.edu for more information.

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