Gillian Hooker

Gillian is a 2009 graduate of the Johns Hopkins/ NHGRI training program and friend of Pooja's. She has a deep interest in building community in our field and supporting the development of a forward-thinking, diverse genetic counseling workforce.  She joined this effort to provide some space for her own grief around the way-too-soon loss of our friend and to carry the messages of Pooja's life forward so that they are not lost from our profession. 



Jessica Young Adcock

Pooja referred to Jessica as “her American Angel,” but Jessica would be quick to tell you that Pooja was really her savior during graduate school and beyond. Jessica and Pooja were classmates within the same cohort at the Johns Hopkins/NHGRI Genetic Training Program, but quickly became the best of friends and each other’s support system throughout graduate school. She was a huge part of an important time of Jessica’s life and Jessica never imagined she would not get another chance to talk to Pooja or say goodbye. Jessica joined this effort in the hopes she could honor Pooja’s optimism and courageous spirit. She hopes to inspire others to be more like Pooja because there is no doubt the world would truly be a better place with more Pooja-isms in it!



Lori Erby

Lori Erby is a  graduate of the Johns Hopkins/ NIH training program as well as the program’s current director. She was an instructor and mentor of Pooja’s during her genetic counseling training and thus had the pleasure of watching Pooja follow her passions. Lori is committed to creating pathways to genetic counseling training for individuals from diverse backgrounds, and she believes that Pooja’s journey will serve as an inspiration to many who are forging new paths in genetic counseling.  Lori joined this effort to allow Pooja’s resilience and joy to inspire other like-minded trainees.



Rupin Dhamankar

Rupin is a 2007 graduate of the Wayne State University genetic counseling program. Similar to Pooja, Rupin came to the United States to pursue a career in genetic counseling and was introduced to her by her program director. Soon enough Rupin and Pooja found they had a lot in common, their love for their city Mumbai, their eclectic taste in music, their constant need to one up the other and their dream of pioneering the genetic counseling profession internationally.  Ultimately Pooja did what Rupin had hoped for, which is go back and make genetic counseling a known profession. While Pooja's loss will always leave a gap that will be unfulfilled, joining this effort has given him a chance to come to terms with her loss.



Smita Rao

Smita  is a cancer genetic counselor and current co-chair of the International SIG of the NSGC. Much like Pooja, Smita came to the US to complete her graduate studies in genetic counseling as an international student. Smita has a passion for supporting and empowering international genetic counseling students as they navigate challenges through graduate school. During an international symposium on genetic counseling in India, Smita first met and befriended Pooja and bonded over how comical real life can truly be! Being a part of this mission to celebrate Pooja's life, and her friendship, has given Smita an avenue of closure but more importantly, a way to keep Pooja's spirit alive by paying it forward through a scholarship to support international genetic counselors.