VCU news

By Grace McOmber
School of Medicine

Whether she’s teaching high school biology or explaining rare genetic conditions to patients, Holly Byers knows how to distill complex information into understandable terms.

The former public school teacher successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in human genetics last May and is completing an M.S. in genetic counseling in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. As graduation rapidly approaches, she is excited for a career that combines genetic counseling with research. Earning both degrees will allow her to split her time between counseling patients on genetic conditions and conducting research to develop novel treatments for rare diseases.

“I’ve always been interested in the genetic components to human conditions and how we can leverage that information to help patients,” Byers said. “What I love about this program is that I can be an independent researcher and have that clinical component.”

Driven by discovery

The Department of Cellular, Molecular and Human Genetics’ dual M.S.-Ph.D. degree program allows aspiring genetic counselors to advance their education beyond an M.S., the terminal degree offered in genetic counseling. The genetic counseling master’s curriculum trains students to interpret data and test results, and consult patients, while the doctoral program allows them to conduct independent research.

Over the past four years, Byers has been investigating triple-negative breast cancer, a rare and deadly form of breast cancer also known as TNBC, to find a better treatment for patients.

TNBC is diagnosed when a biopsy shows negative results for three of the most common markers of breast cancer. While those three forms can be treated with specialized hormonal therapies, TNBC is more aggressive and harder to treat as it is not responsive to specialized therapies, necessitating invasive surgery, chemotherapy or both. It is more prevalent in Black, Hispanic and young patients and more likely to recur than other forms of breast cancer.

Byers' research, which is currently under peer review, showed that when the DDI2 protein coding gene found in cancer cells is disabled, it stops the growth of TNBC. The long-term goal, Byers said, is to find a novel therapy that specifically targets DDI2 to better treat this type of cancer.

“We don’t have good enough options for these patients, and that really lit a fire under me to research how we can get better therapies for folks,” Byers said. “My findings are a step in the right direction for discovering that treatment.”

Breast cancer is typically not hereditary, but TNBC has a strong tie to a mutation in the BRCA gene, which, when normal, regulates DNA repair and prevents the growth of cancerous tumors. More than 60% of women that test positive for a BRCA gene mutation will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, compared to 13% of the general population of women who develop breast cancer.

“When someone is diagnosed with TNBC, we recommend that the patient be screened for hereditary gene mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2,” Byers said. “Counseling these patients is really close to my heart, because I’m also trying to find a new solution for them.”

Receiving a positive result for a BRCA mutation is life-changing, Byers said. Doctors currently recommend patients that test positive undergo a preventative mastectomy to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.

“That’s really hard news to hear for someone that otherwise may have no known health issues,” Byers said. “Genetic counselors are trained to explain the risks and options to patients in an empathetic and comprehensive way, and often just sit with them in their grief.”

Byers said her counseling training wasn’t limited to the classroom or clinic. She had her now two-year-old daughter, Juniper, in the middle of her graduate education, an experience she said has made her a better counselor.

“There’s no ‘right time’ to have a baby when you’re a woman in science, but becoming a mom has actually helped my work,” Byers said. “I relate to parents a lot more now when I’m working in the pediatric or prenatal settings. I truly know now what it’s like to worry about your child’s health.”

Repurposing her skills

Byers hasn’t strayed completely from her teaching roots and still gives lectures to students enrolled in the certificate in clinical genetics program, an introductory program for those interested in the field. As the first in her family to attend college, Byers deeply values being able to pass on her knowledge to peers earlier in their career and said she would like to pursue teaching following graduation. It helps, she said, that there are similarities between teaching and counseling.

“I’m really passionate about trying to figure out how to meet students where they are, which I guess extends to patients now,” Byers said. “I like figuring out how to create a welcoming environment and personalize the lesson, or consult, as much as possible.”

John Quillin, Ph.D., director of the dual M.S./Ph.D. program and associate professor in the Department of Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Medicine, said Byers has put her teaching experience to good use and excels as a leader in her cohort.

“Something that struck me about Holly is that she has a mature way of being able to navigate the challenges of being in a dual program,” Quillin said. “She really put herself out there to the cohort, as a friend, confidant and advisor. She’s really the friend glue that held people together during the challenging time that is graduate school.”

As she looks to her future as a genetic counselor, scientist and educator following graduation, Byers said she is excited to continue providing an empathetic and educational space for both her students and patients.

“I want to be someone that meets people without any judgment and gives them the tools to get them where they need to be,” Byers said.

This story was originally published on the VCU School of Medicine website.