Meet Our Genetic Experts

Dr. Peter Krawitz became FDNA’s Chief Data Science Officer with the goals of identifying and exploring high-impact and original research fields to further the development and use of NGP technologies, as well as driving the research efforts to create new knowledge that serves to expand the field of genetics. Beyond his role at FDNA, Dr. Krawitz also serves as Director of the Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics at the University of Bonn in Germany. Through the use of artificial intelligence in the analysis of big genomic data, his research aims to deepen the understanding of genome biology and advance personalized medicine.

Dr. Karen Gripp serves as Chief Medical Officer for FDNA. In this role, she implements her clinical expertise and immense breadth of scientific knowledge to promote FDNA’s NGP technologies and enhance the company’s role as a global leader in clinical genomics. In addition to her role at FDNA, Dr. Gripp is the Chief of the Division of Medical Genetics at the AI duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE, and is a Professor of Pediatrics at the S. Kimmel Medical College at T. Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. With more than fifteen years of experience, Dr. Gripp is a physician with board certification in pediatrics, clinical genetics, and clinical molecular genetics. Her research interests include RASopathies, craniofacial disorders, novel syndrome delineation, and identification of disease genes.

Karen is Vice President of Technology and Innovation and is responsible for helping drive innovation across all of PerkinElmer businesses and end markets, including diagnostics, life science, analytical and food. This includes driving collaboration internally and externally – including chairing PerkinElmer’s Technology & Innovation Council, establishing strategic partnerships, and using creative funding mechanisms. Karen is also responsible for identifying new markets, technologies, and innovative, customer driven product offerings – including promoting internal idea generation, championing ideas that cross business, and infusing customer voice into PerkinElmer’s innovation efforts. Dr. Madden was formerly President of PerkinElmer’s Informatics business, a leading specialized software provider to the scientific research and development market. PerkinElmer Informatics is a leader in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN) and scientific desktop (ChemDraw) software, as well as analytics and visualization (Spotfire) in scientific research, development and manufacturing markets. Prior to serving as President of the Informatics business, Dr. Madden held various leadership and business development positions within PerkinElmer in the Diagnostic and Emerging Technologies businesses. Dr. Madden joined PerkinElmer in 2010 through an acquisition of VisEn, a molecular imaging company, where she served as Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Development. Prior to joining VisEn, she was a Director at Feinstein Kean Healthcare and Kendall Strategies, leading business strategy and working with a range of clients from small start-ups to multi-national biopharmaceutical companies conducting business strategy, due diligence, valuation analyses, and qualitative and quantitative market research. Dr. Madden holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Boston University and a M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania. She did her doctoral work in Chemistry at Rutgers University, where she determined the three-dimensional X-ray crystallographic structures of human viruses and viral proteins.

Dr. Joy Samanich, MD, is a graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Samanich trained in pediatrics and subsequently in genetics at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. Dr. Samanich has been practicing since 2006 and offers personalized genetic evaluation for children and adults with known or suspected genetic disorders. Dr. Samanich has over 10 years of clinical experience working with patients and families with neurodevelopmental disorders, hearing impairment, multiple medical problems, birth defects, chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic conditions. Dr. Samanich has received the honor of being named a Top Doctor in Westchester Magazine for both 2019 and 2020. Dr. Joy Samanich is board certified in clinical genetics.

Dr. Maya Chopra, MD, FRACP is an internationally experienced expert in the evaluation and diagnosis of individuals with rare genetic diseases. She obtained her medical qualifications from the University of New South Wales in in 2000, and her speciality qualifications the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Division: Paediatrics) and the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (Division: Clinical Genetics) in 2010. Dr Chopra has experience in practicing Clinical Genetics in a range of healthcare systems and cultural settings, having held positions at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (Sydney, Australia), Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital (Shanghai, China) and The Imagine Institute for Genetic Disease (Paris, France). She is currently appointed as Director of Translational Genomic Medicine at the Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, currently ranked as the #1 Children’s Hospital in the USA. In this role, she is the genomics expert for a number of translational research and clinical programs. Dr Chopra has a particular interest and expertise in the evaluation of children with undiagnosed rare genetic syndromes.

Dr. Hind Al saif is a graduate of King Faisal University. Dr. Al Saif trained in Pediatrics at Children's National Medical Center, Clinical Genetics at National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Medical Biochemical Genetics at National Institutes of Health. Dr. Al saif has been practicing since 2016 at VCU medical center, selected as one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States. Dr. Al saif practice specializes in diagnosing and managing patients with genetic and metabolic conditions. Dr. Al Saif is also a clinical assistant professor of genetics at VCU Medical School and is a fellow of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and a fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics. She is board certified in clinical genetics and genomics, medical biochemical genetics and pediatrics. Dr. Al Saif was named as one of Top Doctors in Richmond Magazine in 2019 and 2020.

Andrea Djolovic, MS, CCGC, received her Master of Science degree in Genetic Counselling from Cardiff University, Wales, and is certified by the Canadian Board of Genetic Counsellors. Andrea has a strong interest in increasing access to genetic counselling and genetic testing for all Canadians and is an active member of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors. Her experience as a clinical genetic counsellor has involved complex pediatric and adult genetic cases, cancer genetics, preconception, and prenatal genetic counseling. At FDNA Health, Andrea specializes in cancer genetics, general adult, pediatric genetics and prenatal genetics.

Grace Kavanaugh, MS, CGC, received her Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling from CSU, Stanislaus, and is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She is passionate about expanding access to genetic counseling services within the US and internationally. Grace is an active member of the International Special Interest Group of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Additionally, she is an advisory board member of Accord Alliance, a non-profit organization interested in improving the quality of care for patients with differences/disorders of sex development. Grace enjoys helping individuals understand genetic information, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health. She is committed to providing personalized, empathetic care for each of her patients.

Erin earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Microbiology at Virginia Tech. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University where she worked with prominent researches in the public health sphere publishing her graduate research on Black women’s confidence in the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA). She has clinical experience in cancer, pediatric, adult, and prenatal genetic counseling. Erin is a Virginia licensed and American Board of Genetic Counselors certified genetic counselor. She is also an active member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Francisco Martínez is a graduate of Santiago de Compostela University, Spain. He was trained in Clinical Chemistry at the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, where he has been practicing since 2004 in Genetics: diagnosis of rare diseases, hereditary cancer and genetic counseling. He is also a member of the Spanish Association of Human Genetics and several Committees related to Human Genetics: Research Ethics Committee, Hereditary Cancer Committee and Cystic Fibrosis Committee at the hospital where he works.

Dr. Milagros Dueñas, MD, is a graduate of Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann. Doctor Dueñas trained in Medical Genetics at Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM). Doctor Dueñas has been practicing clinical genetics since 2009, as part of the residency program in medical genetics at Hospital Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen. The last 8 years, as part of the medical staff of the Genetics Department of Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, the main hospital of the Health Worker Insurance - EsSalud in Lima, Peru. Dr. Dueñas has broad background in medical genetics and epidemiology, with specific training and experience in research related to congenital malformations and rare diseases. She is an active member of the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC) since November 2012, and an associated member of the American College of Medical Genetics. She is a founder member and past-president of the Peruvian Society of Medical Genetics (2017-2019). Dr. Dueñas's practice specialises in the care of congenital malformations, rare diseases, metabolic disorders, skeletal dysplasias and hereditary cancer. Her interests also include research and education in rare diseases and molecular medicine. Dr. Dueñas is also professor of medicine at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola. She is board certified in Medical Genetics.

Dr. Naresh Tayade works at Memorial Medical College Amravati since 2010. He has a keen interest in genetic and metabolic disorders. Dr. Tayade is the president of Sickle Thal Society Amravati which seeks to prevent and help patients get the best medical care for Sickle cell and thalassemia. He also works as Lecturer in department of pediatrics at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Memorial Medical College Amravati (Maharshtra) India. Dr. Tayade also helps patients to get Lonafarnib treatment for progeroid laminopathy.

Alex Torres is a passionate genetics and public health professional with 10 years of well-rounded experience in the healthcare sector. His interest in genetic counseling has led him to work for organizations that perform personalized tests in oncology, aid reproduction with in-vitro fertilization techniques, and perform consultations on medical genetics. In 2015, he did a joint internship between the Institute for Medical and Human Genetics and the program for early detection of hereditary breast cancer at Charité, Berlín. For the past 6 years, he has been an advocate for rare diseases and policy development in Mexico and has published literature in the area of personalized healthcare and oncology in Latin America.

Samantha Augustyn, MS, CGC is a graduate of the Northwestern Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling. Samantha has been certified and practicing since 2015 and has worked in Chicago, Illinois; London, England; and Miami, Florida. Samantha has worked in prenatal, laboratory, general genetics, as well as a fertility clinic setting. She is knowledgeable about healthcare systems of the United Kingdom and the United States. Samantha has taught genetics courses at Northwestern University, University of South Wales, and University of Miami. Samantha enjoys teaching and constantly learning, but her biggest passion is helping her patients. Samantha is American Board certified in Genetic Counseling. Specialties: general/pediatric genetics, prenatal, infertility/ART.

Mary Ann Post, LCGC, is a 2007 graduate of Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, IL), earning her bachelors degree in biology and chemistry. Mary Ann received her Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) in 2010. Mary Ann worked for the Indiana University School of Medicine (Gary, IN) from 2010 to 2015, counseling patients for prenatal, cancer, adult-onset, and cardio genetics. She also taught medical students medical genetics during her time there. Since January 2015, Mary Ann has been practicing prenatal and reproductive genetic counseling for Advocate Christ Medical Center (Oak Lawn, IL). Her interests include dysmorphology, severe birth defects, recurrent pregnancy loss, stillbirth evaluations, hereditary cancer syndrome, cardio genetics, and prenatal diagnosis of genetic conditions. She continues teaching genetics to medical students and residents. Mary Ann is also a contributing faculty member of the genetic counseling program at Northwestern University. Mary Ann is board certified in genetic counseling from the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) since 2011. She is also licensed in Illinois.

Andy McCarty is a board certified and licensed genetic counselor with over 5 years clinical experience and currently owns and operates the private practice Clover Genetics. His clinical experience includes numerous areas of genetics including pediatrics, neuromuscular disorders, and pediatric cancer among other specialties. In these roles, he has provided clinical genetics support to physicians, genetic counselors and other healthcare providers. Andrew graduated from Arcadia University’s Genetic Counseling Program in 2015 with a M.S. in Genetic Counseling. His thesis work focused on alternative methods of obtaining a family history in reference to telegenetics and improving healthcare access. The psychosocial issues and the educational aspects are what drew Andy to genetic counseling. He is passionate about the potential of telegenetics and improving access to quality genetic counseling and information regarding genetics.

Dmitriy Niyazov MD, is currently the Section Head of Medical Genetics in the Department of Pediatrics at the Ochsner Health System (since January 2008). He’s also an Assistant Clinical Professor for the Joint Medical Student Program at Ochsner and University of Queensland and a Clinical Instructor for Combined Medical Student and Residency Program at Ochsner and Tulane University School of Medicine. His expertise is in Dysmorphology, Autism, Mitochondrial and Lysosomal Storage diseases. He also sees Developmental delay, Intellectual Disability, Chromosomal disorders, Birth defects, Short stature, Failure to thrive, Adult genetics, Prenatal and Cancer counseling. He is a member of the Ochsner Craniofacial Multidisciplinary Clinic. He extensively utilizes telemedicine for patient care. He graduated from University of Rochester School of Medicine with Distinction in Research, published >50 peer-reviewed articles and gave many invited lectures and presentations at scientific meetings throughout the country. He was listed in Louisiana's Best Doctors in America.

Prof. is the head of the Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics at Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU), Tbilisi, Georgia. She is also a consultant clinical geneticist at several major pediatric hospitals in Georgia. Tinatin has a special interest in inherited metabolic diseases presenting as childhood neurodevelopmental disorders and syndromes with dysmorphic features. Over the last several years Tinatin has received multiple educational scholarships from the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) and European Cytogenetics Association (ECA), she is a PI of an international multicenter study for the identification of biomarkers for rare diseases, she is a member of the scientific-advisory board at FDNA and is actively collaborating with Unique (rare chromosome and gene disorders organization) to provide information and support for rare disease patients. Tinatin is a co-author of several peer-reviewed books and translator of several licensed textbooks in genetics into the Georgian language. She is absolutely passionate about diagnosing patients with rare diseases and ending their diagnostic odyssey.