Genes to Meds: How Genetic Testing Supports Drug Development

Susan Toomey joined Ambry Genetics in 2017 as a Genomic Science Liaison covering the Mountain west region and transitioned to the Clinical Strategy Team in 2022 where she provides clinical program support for our business development and pharmaceutical partnerships. Susan received her Masters of Science Degree in Biophysics and Genetics from the University of Colorado; and holds a BA in Sociology and Evolutionary Science from the University of Cincinnati. She has held previous genetic counseling positions at the Colorado Genetics Laboratory, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, and the Children’s Hospital Colorado in the Neurocutaneous and Neuromuscular Clinics.  

With over 25 years of patient-centric focus, Susan incorporates the voice of the patient, caregiver, and clinician to the real application of genomics. She trained and began her career in pediatric genetics, helping families understand and traverse an often-difficult rare diagnosis. While neurocutaneous disorders were an early interest, she also developed a first-of-its kind genetics department at a nationally recognized infertility clinic. She now uses her expertise of the patient journey, as well as of genomic testing technology and results outcomes, to inform the diagnostics and pharma industries on meaningful collaborations that put the patient first.   

Jessica Scott, MGC, CGC is an oncology Genomic Science Liaison at Ambry Genetics. Jessica obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology from Radford University and graduated from the University of Maryland Master’s in Genetic Counseling (MGC) Training Program in 2005. She practiced clinically in the Baltimore area in various genetic counseling subspecialties for over fifteen years with a consistent focus on oncology genetics before joining Ambry.  Jessica has an interest in the continued education of genetic counselors; she remains actively engaged in the University of Maryland genetic counseling training program, is a coordinator of Ambry’s Case Café webinar series, and is the Chair for the Maryland and DC Society of Genetic Counselors’ (MDCGC) State Meeting and Education committee.