Assistant Professor, Human Genetics
Interim Director, Genetic Counseling Program, Human Genetics
Co-Director, MPH in Public Health Genetics Program, Human Genetics
3129 Public Health, 130 DeSoto St. R-znvy: nqhefg@cvgg.rqh Primary Phone: 967-179-8645 Fax: 967-179-8575
Dr. Durst joined the Genetic Counseling Program in May 2015 and is currently the Interim Program Director of the Genetic Counseling Program and the Co-Director of the MPH in Public Health Genetics Program. She joins these programs with extensive experience in clinical cancer genetic counseling, management, and public health genetics. Dr. Durst’s teaching interests are in genetic counseling, clinical genetics, and public health genetics. She provides support for Genetic Counseling Program and MPH in Public Health Genetics Program development and is engaged in teaching, student research, and the coordination of student clinical rotations and practicums.
Dr. Durst’s research interests include public health genetics and cancer genetics. Specifically, she is interested in the state implementation of CDC Tier 1 Genomic Applications for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome, Lynch syndrome and Familial Hypercholesterolemia. She has worked with a number of stakeholders on public health genetics projects, including the NYMAC Regional Genetics Network, the Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition, the Genetic Alliance, the CDC, and the Michigan Department of Community Health. Dr. Durst was part of a team that developed educational materials on bidirectional cancer registry reporting for the identification of individuals at risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome and Lynch syndrome. She has previously worked with the Region 4 Genetics Collaborative as the facilitator for the Newborn Screening Long Term Follow-Up Workgroup. Currently, Dr. Durst serves as Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Association of Genetic Counselors, Chair of the Advisory Committee for the NYMAC Regional Genetics Network, Co-Chair of the Genetics/Genomics Workgroup of the Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition, and Co-Chair of the Genomics Education Workgroup of the APHA Genomics Forum.
2003 | Cornell University, Ithaca, NY | BS, Biology, cum laude 2005 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC | MS, Genetic Counseling 2015 | University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY | DrPH, Health Management and Policy
HUGEN 2035: Principles of Genetic Counseling
HUGEN 2036: Genetic Counseling Internship
HUGEN 2038: Intervention Skills for Genetic Counselors
HUGEN 2047: Clinical Genetics Case Conference
HUGEN 2049: Public Health Genetics
HUGEN 2053: Applications in Public Health Genetics and Genomics
Zakas AL, Leifeste C, Dudley B, Karloski E, Afonso S, Grubs RE, Shaffer JR, Durst AL, Parkinson MD, Brand R (2019). The impact of genetic counseling on patient engagement in a specialty cancer clinic. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 28(5): 974-981.
Costich J and Durst A (2016). Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Funding for Newborn Screening Services. Public Health Reports, 131(1): 160-6.
Holsinger JW, Lewis A, and Chen Q (2015). Undergraduate Public Health Education: Does It Meet Public Health Workforce Needs? Frontiers in Public Health 3: 1-3.