Dalia Walzer (’17)

This summer I worked at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. There are 27 separate institutes and centers at NIH; I interned at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in the Division of Policy, Communications, and Education. My time was split between two projects. First, I oversaw the operations of implementing NIH policy on genomic data sharing; I served as the interface between the policy office and the research investigators in the lab, and met one-on-one with each Principal Investigator to assist them with navigating NIH policy. I also developed strategies for streamlining communications of genomic data sharing policy. Additionally, I conducted research on current policies and practices for insurance coverage of Familial Genetic Testing. This research, which I synthesized in a policy brief, will inform future NHGRI strategy on initiatives relating to the integration of genomics and medicine. My experience at NHGRI was extremely rewarding; it was exciting to engage deeply with a number of topics directly related or peripheral to my projects, including genomics research, health policy, and data privacy. Additionally, it was wonderful to collaborate with a diverse set of encouraging and knowledgeable individuals across the Institute.