Lecturer and clinical supervisor
Max Rady College of Medicine
Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
Basic Medical Sciences Building
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2
Phone: 204-787-8820
Fax: 204-940-1052
jlawrence4@hsc.mb.ca
Jessica Lawrence, BSc(H), MSc, CGC, CCGC
Teaching philosophy
Jessica is passionate about genetic counselling student coaching, teaching, and mentoring. She believes that active listening, empathy, and humility are the bedrock of effective clinical practice, and she encourages her students to cultivate these essential skills through experiential learning.
Using roleplays and supervised clinical encounters, Jessica focuses on building on students’ existing strengths while also gently exploring and developing areas for growth. In supervision, Jessica utilizes a reciprocal engagement model. This means that both the student and supervisor actively participate in the learning process, sharing insights and constructive feedback.
Jessica aims to foster a safe space for students to reflect on their developing counselling skills, explore complex cases, and integrate new knowledge in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Biography
Jessica Lawrence (she/her) is a board-certified genetic counsellor specializing in pediatric metabolic, ocular, and general genetic counselling. She graduated from the MSc Genetic Counselling program at McGill university in 2019. Her graduate research focused on the rates of Lynch syndrome among unselected women with endometrial cancer, advocating for universal Lynch syndrome screening in this population.
From 2019 to 2020, Jessica worked as a certified genetic counsellor in Edmonton. Her main role was in ocular genetics at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Eye Clinic where she developed expertise in the clinical genetics of inherited eye disease. Additionally, she worked casually at the Royal Alexandra Hospital's Maternal Fetal Medicine department, providing prenatal genetic counselling, and at the University of Alberta Hospital, providing general genetic counselling. In late 2020, Jessica transitioned to the Genomics Lab with Shared Health Manitoba. Here, she gained a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of molecular and cytogenetic testing techniques, coordinating genetic testing, and developing and modifying genetic testing guidelines.
In January 2023, Jessica moved into her current role with the Shared Health Manitoba Genetics and Metabolism team. In this position, she enjoys seeing patients from diverse backgrounds for varying clinical indications, primarily pediatric metabolic conditions, inherited ocular conditions, and general genetics. As the student shadowing/volunteer coordinator, Jessica is passionate about student coaching and mentorship, frequently welcoming prospective and current genetic counselling students to observe or participate in her clinics.
Education
Master of Science in Genetic Counselling, McGill University (2019)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Genetics, University of Manitoba (2016)
Awards
Association of Genetic Counselling Program Directors Outstanding Fieldwork Supervisor Award (2024)
Contact us
Biochemistry and Medical Genetics
Room 336 Basic Medical Sciences Building
745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada
204-789-3458