Chelsea Leonard

Chelsea Leonard is currently a Master’s candidate in the Genetic Counseling Training Program at Emory University School of Medicine, in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to her admission to the program, Chelsea completed a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at Emory University. Thereafter, she worked for three years as manager of a clinical neuroscience laboratory. During this time, she oversaw clinical trials as well as neuroimaging and behavioral studies. Through her research, Chelsea has co-authored publications in top journals like Molecular Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine.

Ms. Leonard’s current research focus is on preferences for genetic testing in patients with inherited neuropathy. This group of disorders is characterized by extensive variability, from the clinical presentation to the genes involved.

In general, there have been a number of choice-based conjoint analyses on genetic testing in other patient populations. However, seemingly, no research group has yet to incorporate the chance for an "uncertain” test result as an attribute. Variants of uncertain significance, as they are called, are genetic changes that may be pathogenic (disease causing) or benign. 

This research is novel in because it is the first effort to explore and begin to unpack how some of the variability (and uncertainty) in the clinical picture, and the genetic test options in this clinical context impact patient preferences. 

Ms. Leonard is excited to play a small role in the continued expansion of the use of choice-based conjoint analysis in application to genetic testing. She hopes that this research will contribute to improvement of genetic counseling and testing services. After completion of her Masters of Medical Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling, Chelsea would like to be a neurogenetic counselor.

She is very grateful to the Georgia Association of Genetic Counselors for providing funding to compensate respondents and to carry out the study, with patients at Emory Healthcare locations.