Tag: ASC tutor

When we think of getting a genetics degree, most of us don’t really equate that to a career in law. 2014 alum Megan Robertson is paving the way to broaden the horizons of what a science degree can lead to.

After growing up outside of Charlotte, NC, Megan came to Clemson as a genetics major with a minor in legal studies. While she was on campus, Megan was involved in Sigma Kappa, Pi Chi and worked at the Academic Success Center with the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program.

“I was an SI instructor for calculus for a year or so and then oversaw the SI instructors for all the science classes.”

Outside of academics, Megan enjoyed all that Clemson had to offer.

“I loved going to football games (of course!) and hanging out with friends downtown, whether it was getting ice cream at Spill the Beans or grabbing a drink at TTTs.”

After Clemson, Megan went straight to law school at the George Washington (GW) Law School in Washington D.C., living in the city for eight years throughout her schooling. The GW Law School a global law school that exists to make an impact on the law through the leadership of diverse faculty and staff, the extraordinary influence of an extensive alumni network, and the location in the heart of downtown Washington, DC.

Upon graduating from law school, Megan began her career as an attorney at the law firm of Epstein Becker Green (EBG), a national law firm with a primary focus on health care and life sciences; employment, labor, and workforce management; and litigation and business disputes.

Megan is now a partner at Epstein Becker Green, working with clients involved in biotech, biopharma, clinical lab and research activities advising them on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations (think FDA regulations, CLIA for labs, fraud and abuse considerations and state laws).

“I may be answering a question about how a new product is regulated or helping to negotiate a clinical research contract for a new study. I also represent investor clients during due diligence reviews of life sciences companies, advising on risks associated with potential transactions.”

Another piece of Megan’s practice is pro bono work, where she represents claimants seeking social security disability benefits on a no cost basis. This was not originally Megan’s plan when she went to law school.

“I actually went to law school thinking I would do patents. But as I learned more about the health care law field, I got more intrigued and finally zeroed in on where I am today.”

Though Megan is technically an attorney, she uses her genetics degree and knowledge everyday in her work duties. Megan’s degree in genetics, allows her to understand the unique compliance challenges faced by, and the development opportunities available to, companies in the life sciences industry.

“Having a science background is incredibly useful when talking to clients about the details of a new product or study. Regardless of whether it has to do specifically with genetics or biochemistry, “speaking the language” is invaluable when relaying legal and compliance concepts and concepts and talking through strategy with these life sciences companies.”

Much of the work Megan does is with clinical labs, and she co-leads the firm’s Clinical Labs Focused Initiative.

“Whether the labs are running genetic tests or developing their own test, it is exciting to be able to watch new developments in genetics come to fruition in near-real time.”

Megan married her high school sweetheart Zach in 2017 and now live in just outside in Herndon, VA with their four-old daughter, Olivia and two dogs, Miller and Marlo.

Senior genetics major Maggie Andrews dreams of becoming a genetics counselor, someone who helps people and families understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial impacts of genetic conditions – and she knows she is in the right place to meet her goals.

Like for many, the moment Maggie stepped on to Clemson’s campus it felt like home. She loved it for the small town feel and the love the alumni showed for the university.

“It was really evident from the beginning that Clemson is not a school that you go to for four years, it is a home you can return to for the rest of your life.”

Choosing her genetics major was an easy choice, knowing a genetics degree would prepare her for graduate school and her end goal of a career in genetic counseling.

“My course of study in Clemson’s genetics program has given me a thorough understanding of molecular genetics, which will prepare me for the next step in my educational and professional journey.”

In being part of the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Maggie has some of her best friends in classes – study partners turning into close confidants and classmates becoming a built-in support system. Even more so, Maggie notes the faculty have become incredible mentors and role models for her during her academic career.

“Whether it be a professor or academic advisor I have never felt alone on my educational journey. There is always a helping hand if you need it! That is super rare at a large university, and I feel it makes our department special!”

On campus, Maggie is a tutor for calculus and tutor mentor at Clemson’s Academic Success Center, where she assists in training tutors that support over 70 courses on Clemson’s campus. Additionally, she plays on the women’s club basketball team.

“Our women’s club basketball team travels and plays other colleges in the US. We even qualified and competed in Nationals last year in Madison, Wisconsin.”

Another large role that Maggie holds on campus is serving as the vice president of the IPTAY student Advisory Board, where she serves IPTAY and Clemson Athletics as a liaison for the Student body. As the vice president, Maggie promotes the Solid Orange Friday message and helps plan and execute exclusive events for the IPTAY Collegiate Club, which is an organization on campus with more than 9,000 members.

“Last year I helped organize a conference with three schools within the ACC to help facilitate conversations about student athletic donorships involvement across the Southeast region!”

Maggie keeps her academic breaks busy too by acting as a genetic counselor assistant as Levine Children’s Hospital Pediatric Genetics Department during her summer and winter breaks. Here she assists both genetic counselors and medical geneticists in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.

“I help collect DNA samples from patients, order and track genetic testing, consent patients and families for genetic testing, write letters of medical necessity to advocate for patients and write letters to school systems explaining genetic conditions!”

This job aligns perfectly with Maggie’s future plans to become a genetic counselor herself. After graduation, she plans to attend a genetic counseling master’s program to become a pediatric genetic counselor.