Ashley Smith is a second-year genetic counselling graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She approached the WMS with a request to share her research survey to help reach a broader audience of neuromuscular specialists. We asked Ashley to tell us a bit more about her project.

Hi Ashley, what are you working on?

I am currently training to become a full-time, board-certified genetic counsellor. As part of my graduate curriculum, I am taking courses such as medical genetics, seeing patients across varying genetic counselling specialties, and working on my research study.

What are you hoping to achieve?

I am hoping to graduate from my programme in May 2024 and become a genetic counsellor! This will include completing my capstone project which entails collecting data, analysing results, writing-up findings, and defending.

Have you had support from other members of the WMS?

Yes! Dr. Nicholas E. Johnson is a member of the WMS and neuromuscular physician who is on my research committee. He has been instrumental in helping me design the study and recruit participants.

What would you like members to do? How can they get involved?

WMS members can get involved by completing my short online survey about their experience with neuromuscular genetic testing in their clinical practice. Also, if members are willing to do a short follow-up interview with me over Zoom to further explore themes addressed in the survey, that would be great! All neurologists and neuromuscular physicians that practice within the United States are eligible to participate in my study.

What aspirations do you have for your career and your impact on the field of neuromuscular disorders?

I aspire to be a genetic counsellor that advocates for the needs of my patients and increased access to genetic counselling services for all. I hope to help advance the field of neuromuscular disorders through my research study which aims to provide clarity on the current use of genetic testing in the neuromuscular space and better understand how the growing area of neurogenetics is impacting routine neurological practice.

What made you interested in the field of neuromuscular disorders?

Prior to graduate school, I was an adult cardiovascular genetic counselling assistant. Cardiovascular genetics and neurogenetics are similar in that both are emerging areas of research and comprise only a small percentage of all genetic counselors. With increased accessibility and usage of neuro-specific genetic testing in patient care, I became interested in learning more about the genetic testing experience of neurologists in their clinical practice. In graduate school, I had the opportunity to learn more about neuromuscular disease and its intersection with genetics which further fueled my interest. One of my upcoming clinical rotations is in the Cardio/Neuro genetic specialties, and I am excited to learn even more and work with these patients. Also, I have a close family member that sees a neurologist regularly with movement limitations, which further sparks my interest in the field of neuromuscular disorders.

Is there any element of the WMS that has made you feel particularly glad to be a member?

I am particularly glad to be a student member of the WMS because it allows me to connect with and reach wider audiences that are also committed to advancing the science of neuromuscular disease and the care for people living with them.