Indiana State University Newsroom

Megan Tucker has been named graduate program director for a new Master of Science in Genetic counseling, an interdisciplinary program recently approved by the Indiana State University Board of Trustees, pending approval by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Tucker is a senior genetic counselor at the Medical Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Center and Center for Prenatal Diagnosis at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. She is a board certified licensed genetic counselor with eight years of experience. She holds a bachelor's degree in secondary biology education and a master's degree in molecular genetics, both from Indiana University, and a certificate in leadership development from Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis. Prior to St. Vincent Hospital, Tucker taught at Pendleton Heights High School and served as a consultant for Cook General Biotechnology Indianapolis.

The master's degree in genetic counseling, once approved by the ICHE, will be a comprehensive program to train students toward certification in genetic counseling. The interdisciplinary program will include courses from biology, psychology, philosophy and counseling.

"Genetic counseling is evolving as one of the most important medical programs of the post genomic era," said Jack Maynard, Indiana State's provost and vice president for academic affairs. "This program will prepare graduates to help patients comprehend complex information related to the genetics of their diseases and associated risks. It will be a vital addition to our health care education offerings."

Professor Rusty Gonser, director of The Center for Genomic Advocacy at Indiana State, said he "is pleased that Megan Tucker is coming on board to lead this initiative, a direct result of the Unbounded Possibilities centers that started three years ago at ISU. President Bradley's leadership was visionary in incorporating the Unbounded Possibilities into the university Strategic Plan."

Tucker will begin her responsibilities at Indiana State on April 1.

Photo: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-nWGXPPT/0/L/i-nWGXPPT-L.jpg

Contact: Lynn Maurer, dean, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Indiana State Univesity, 812-237- lynn.maurer@indstate.edu