VEDS Research Study 2021
Exploring perceived barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care in vascular EDS
Taylor Speziale
Taylor is a third-year Master’s student at Cardiff University studying Genetic and Genomic Counselling.
She was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she completed her Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology at Lakehead University.
She became a genetic counselling assistant at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre where she gained experience working alongside a genetic counsellor in a general clinic seeing patients with a vast array of genetic conditions.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, mountain biking and hiking with her dog.
Charlotte Cowan
Charlotte is a third-year master's student at Cardiff University studying Genetic and Genomic Counselling. Previously, she studied at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with Honours.
While at Dalhousie, Charlotte completed her thesis on the effects of cigarette smoking on brain activity. She also worked as a summer student at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, investigating genetic links between brain imaging and bipolar disorder.
Charlotte was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In her free time, she enjoys watching ice hockey. Her favourite team is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kaitlyn Johnston
Kaitlyn graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science specialising in Molecular Genetics and is currently in her 3rd year of her masters degree at Cardiff University studying to be a Genetic Counsellor.
She wants to use her passion for genetics and health sciences to better the lives of others.
She was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and spends her free time hiking and camping in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
