Our Team of Experts Geneticists

Katherine A Rauen, M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Adjunct Professor

Department of Pediatrics

Division of Medical Genetics

• 1978-81, CSU Bakersfield, BS, Biology
• 1981-85, UC Davis, MS, Physiology
• 1986-92, UC Davis, PhD, Genetics
• 1991-95, UC Irvine School of Medicine, MD, Medicine
• 1995-97, UCSF Medical Center, Residency, Pediatrics
• 1997-00, UCSF Medical Center, Fellowship, Medical Genetics

Genetic Counselors

Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Most enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics,nursing,psychology,publichealth and social work.

The genetic counselors at UCSF work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available options with the family.

Our genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling to families and serve as patient advocates. They  serve as educators and resource people and are a valuable member of our health care team.

Sheri Pena

Genetic Counselor

Sherri Pena is a genetic counselor and the practice manager of UCSF's Prenatal Diagnosis Center. She obtained her bachelor's degree in genetics from the University of California Davis, her master's degree in health and medical sciences at the University of California Berkeley, and is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. In addition to working with patients, Pena is involved in research focusing on informed choice in prenatal testing.

Kati Malabed

Genetic Counselor

Kati Malabed is a genetic counselor in the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. She also serves as the center's liaison with the UCSF Fetal Treatment Center. She is a native San Franciscan and has been with UCSF since 1998. Malabed earned her bachelor's degree in biology and graduated from the Genetic Counseling Program at UC Berkeley. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Allyson Scott

Genetic Counselor

Allyson Scott is a genetic counselor at the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. She splits her time between the Prenatal Diagnosis Center at UCSF and the obstetrics and gynecology department at San Francisco General Hospital. Scott sees a variety of prenatal patients, but specializes in hemoglobinopathies. Scott received her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego, followed by a master's degree in genetic counseling from Northwestern University. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Ellen Simpson

Genetic Counselor

Ellen Simpson is a genetic counselor in the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. She received her bachelor's degree in biology from Simmons College, followed by a Ph.D. in biology from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. She then went on to get a master's degree in genetic counseling from the University of California at Irvine.

Simpson is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counseling and the American Society of Human Genetics. Simpson is fluent in Spanish.

Kathryn Drexler

Genetic Counselor

Kathryn Drexler is a genetic counselor in the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. She earned her master's degree in biophysics and human genetics from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Drexler worked in the Rocky Mountain Regional Genetics Program before coming to UCSF. She has worked in UCSF's Reproductive Genetics Clinic since 1984.

Sarah Russell

Genetic Counselor

Sarah Russell is a genetic counselor with the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. She provides genetic counseling services at outreach clinics in Monterey and Pleasanton as well as at the main office in San Francisco. Russell received her bachelor's degree in genetics from the University of California, Davis and her master's degree in genetic counseling at Brandeis University. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling.