Lauren Westerfield

Lauren Westerfield, M.S., C.G.C., is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine and provides clinical genetic counseling services at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women in Houston, Texas.

Education

• M.S. in Genetic Counseling, University of Pittsburgh (2013)
• B.S. in Psychology, Florida State University (2011)

Professional Certifications

• Certified Genetic Counselor, American Board of Genetic Counseling (2014–2019)

Research & Clinical Interests

Her professional focus centers on prenatal and preconception genetic counseling, integrating advanced genomic technologies into patient care. Specific areas include:

• Prenatal testing and screening protocols
• Preconception genetic risk assessment
• Chromosome microarray analysis in fetal anomalies
• Clinical application of whole-exome sequencing in the prenatal setting
• Patient education and informed consent processes

Across her peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Westerfield explores the practical and ethical challenges that arise when variants of uncertain significance and incidental findings emerge from prenatal genomic testing, highlighting strategies for effective genetic counseling.

Professional Memberships

• National Society of Genetic Counselors
• Texas Society of Genetic Counselors

Contact & Location

• Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, 6651 Main St, Suite F420, Houston, TX 77030
• Phone: (832) 826-7483
• Email: lewester@texaschildrens.org