Alumni Spotlight | Anusha Tejomurtula

Anusha Tejomurtula CG(ASCP)^CM | Diagnostic Genetics class of 2015

Anusha already had over a year of experience in the field of cytogenetics when she applied to the SHP Master of Science in Diagnostic Genetics program. When asked about what attracted her to the SHP program, Anusha was quick to respond:

“I applied to the program because I recognized that it would offer me a thorough education and an opportunity to learn the latest tools and techniques in the world of Diagnostic Genetics.  The program faculty first taught us the theory behind each protocol and procedure, empowering us to get better results. The second step was working on real-time projects to reinforce what we had already learned. Thirdly, and most importantly, each student embarked on a clinical application research project. My research project involved brain tumors and I was introduced to current diagnostic tools such as Array CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) which is a laboratory technique used to look for chromosomal alterations that are too small to be seen using a microscope.”

Regarding the highly specialized diagnostic techniques taught in the classroom and the lab, Anusha talks about the many opportunities she and her fellow students had to translate theory into hands-on practice:

“Practice-wise they provided us with projects that would enable us to translate what we learned into practice. I participated in a 5-month internship with 2.5 months in a commercial diagnostic lab that offered cancer and prenatal cytogenetic screening, and 2.5 months at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital cancer diagnostic lab.”

Anusha felt that the SHP Molecular Diagnostic Genetics faculty was very supportive during the program and even after graduation, notifying graduates about available positions in the field of diagnostic genetics. She is currently working as a cytogenetic technologist at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, and says this about her work:

“I can see the field of Diagnostic Genetics advancing towards a future era where we could diagnose the rarest of genetic diseases using techniques that were previously unimaginable, such as high-resolution arrayCGH and next-generation sequencing. I am enjoying working in this field and helping it advance so we can help people by providing answers to genetically complex diseases.”