Gemma Louise Chandratillake

Gemma read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, specializing in Genetics, then completed an MPhil at the MRC LMB.  Pursuing an interest in genetic disease, she modeled Niemann-Pick type C in C. elegans during her PhD at the University of Washington.  After a postdoc at UCSF, Gemma left the bench in search of a more applied role in genetics. She trained as a genetic counselor at Stanford and has since taught in both Stanford and California State genetic counseling programs.  In 2012, Gemma joined the start-up company Personalis, with a vision to be amongst the pioneers making genomic medicine a reality.

In addition to her role as Course Director for the PACE Genomic Medicine programme, Gemma works within the NHS as the Education & Training Lead for the East of England NHS Genomic Medicine Centre.  In this capacity she coordinates training of healthcare professionals, develops educational materials, and conducts public engagement activities, all with the aim of increasing the adoption of genomic technologies in NHS patient care. 

Gemma favours a conversational approach in her teaching, enjoying the active participation of students.  She is always ready with an example or anecdote to deepen understanding and provoke discussion.  Teaching mature students, many of whom are established healthcare professionals, is incredibly rewarding as, in addition to the taught material presented, the students benefit from each other’s experience and perspectives, and establish significant professional relationships as the result of the programme.