Program team
Robin Bennett , M.S., CGC
Program Director
(she/her)
Robin Bennett, Professor of Medicine, brings over 35 years of experience in genetic counseling to the UW Genetic Counseling Graduate Program. Over the span of her career, she has cared for more than 25,000 patients in the Genetic Medicine Clinic at the UW Medical Center and helped train future genetic counselors and medical geneticists.
Globally recognized as a leader in genetics education, Robin has lectured and consulted in Australia, Saudi Arabia and China. At the GCGP, she is the primary instructor for Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Professional Issues in Genetic Counseling, and co-instructor for the three-quarter Genetic Counseling Theory and Practice series.
Robin has made significant contributions to the body of knowledge of genetic counseling and is most known for her work in pedigree nomenclature, consanguinity, presymptomatic testing for Huntington disease and other neurogenetic disorders, recurrent miscarriage, fragile X syndrome, Fabry disease, cancer genetics, and the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Code of Ethics. She’s also helped develop NSGC’s original protocol for the creation of practice guidelines and is the author of “The Practical Guide to the Genetic Family History.” The National Human Genome Research Institute noted her team’s recent publication, “Practice resource-focused revision: Standardized pedigree nomenclature update centered on sex and gender inclusivity: A practice resource of the National Society of Genetics Counselors,” as an accomplishment in genomic medicine.
As a prominent leader in medical genetics and genetic counseling, Robin served as president of the NSGC, on the board of directors of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, and as a founding board member and past president of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. She was on the board of directors of the American Society of Human Genetics and currently serves on the Awards Committee. Robin is the recipient of multiple honors, including the NSGC Natalie Weissberger Paul National Achievement Award and as a distinguished lecturer in the Janus Series. She received the Art of Listening Award from the Genetic Alliance, and the Pathfinder Alumni Award from the Mercer Island School District. At the UW she has been recognized with the Distinguished Staff Award, the Department of Medicine Distinguished Faculty Award, and as one of 75 Changemakers over 75 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kenyon College, which later awarded her an honorary scientific doctorate. Robin is a graduate of the Human Genetics Program at Sarah Lawrence College.
Brad Rolf, M.S., CGC
Associate Program Director
(he/him)
Brad Rolf has been a genetic counselor at the UW since 2013. Before becoming Associate Program Director for the UW Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, he worked primarily as a research genetic counselor. In this role he coordinated the genetics study of the Therapeutic Pipeline Project, a research project aimed at determining the efficacy of whole-exome sequencing for inherited forms of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Brad also worked on one of the Clinical Sequencing Evidence-Generating Research consortium projects that focused on delivering genetic testing and genetic counseling services for inherited cancer risk to underserved populations.
Brad earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Baylor University and a master’s degree in genetic counseling from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Before his career in genetic counseling, he worked at the Texas Department of State Health Services Laboratory. He is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors CEU Review Subcommittee, and his research interests include polygenic risk, genetic counseling education, and genetic counseling for patients who identify as LGBTQ.
Gail Jarvik, M.D., Ph.D.
Medical Director
(she/her)
Gail Jarvik is an internist and medical geneticist who holds the Arno G. Motulsky Endowed Chair in Medicine and heads the Division of Medical Genetics at the UW. Her research focuses on the statistical genetic analysis of common diseases in adults including cancer, vascular disease and dementia. She has broad research interests in the implementation of genomic medicine, including her work in the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network, Clinical Sequencing Evidence-Generating Research (CSER), Undiagnosed Disease Network (UDN), and All of Us consortia. Her active research in biomedical ethics includes returning genomic research results to participants and studying the impact of regulations on genomic research. She was the 2021 president of the American Society of Human Genetics.
Patrice Li Fieldwork Education Coordinator (she/her)
Patrice Li joined the UW Genetic Counseling Graduate Program team in Fall 2024. As a Fieldwork Education Coordinator, she assists students with all aspects of their fieldwork education and assignments. Having recently finished her MBA from the University of Washington in the Spring of 2024 and earning her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Chapman University in 2020, Patrice is excited to be involved once again and working in the higher education sector. Outside of work, Patrice loves to spend time with her loved ones, play outdoor sports, attend live music and sporting events, and explore the food scene in Seattle.
Kathryn Grubbs, M.A. Program Manager (she/her)
Kathryn Grubbs joined the GCGP program in August 2024 and while she is new to the field of genetic counseling, she brings with her almost 20 years of experience in the mental health counseling and education fields. Kathryn came to UW in 2014 and has worked as an academic adviser and program director. Prior to that she lived and worked in Chicago engaging with communities across the city in schools, hospitals, and mental health centers. Kathryn studied, practiced, and continues to engage with the Person-Centered therapy community and has provided counseling to children, adolescents, and adults in schools, colleges, community clinics and private practice settings. Kathryn holds a bachelor's degree in human development and social relations with a minor in Spanish from Earlham College and a master's degree in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Kathryn enjoys exploring the food, environment, and culture of the Pacific Northwest with her partner and dog as well as learning about and engaging in allyship with our local indigenous communities.
Tyler Hearing
Program Coordinator (he/him)
Tyler Hearing started with the UW Genetic Counseling Graduate Program in Winter 2022. As Program Coordinator, Tyler is the first point of contact for prospective students and works on admissions, student services, budgeting and finance, and event planning. Outside of work, Tyler enjoys listening to a wide variety of music, playing guitar, and going to concerts. Tyler earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington.
Group photo & photos of Robin Bennett & Tyler Hearing by Marcus Donner.