Wendy K. Kohlmann

Wendy K. Kohlmann, MS is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Utah and serves as the Director of the Genetic Counseling Shared Resource at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She is a board-certified genetic counselor who joined the University of Utah in 2006 and has since been instrumental in advancing genetic counseling services and research.

Education:

• Master of Science in Genetic Counseling, University of Cincinnati
• Bachelor of Science, University of Wisconsin

Research Interests:

Ms. Kohlmann's research focuses on increasing access to genetic counseling and testing among diverse populations. Her work encompasses the development and implementation of automated tools such as algorithms and chatbots to identify patients eligible for genetic testing using electronic health record data. She is particularly interested in delivering pre- and post-test genetic counseling efficiently and effectively.

She is the principal investigator on a genetic counseling-focused project within a national SPORE grant studying leiomyosarcoma, evaluating patient interest in genetic testing and the psychosocial and behavioral outcomes of receiving genetic information. Additionally, she is a co-investigator on multiple studies examining pediatric and young adult cancer patients and hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes.

Clinical Roles:

Ms. Kohlmann provides direct patient care through clinical genetic counseling and testing services. She also coordinates the specialized Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and Rare Tumors Clinic at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, providing expert care for patients with rare hereditary cancer conditions.

Research Trends:

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on translating genetic discoveries into clinical practice, particularly in the areas of melanoma prevention, hereditary cancer syndromes, and improving genetic counseling delivery methods. Her work bridges basic science, clinical research, and behavioral studies to enhance the integration of genetics into routine healthcare.

Funding and Collaborations:

Ms. Kohlmann is actively involved in multiple NIH and NCI funded grants, serving as co-investigator on projects developing automated tools for genetic testing identification and delivery of genetic counseling. Her collaborative work spans across multiple institutions and disciplines.

Clinical Programs:

She directs the Genetic Counseling Shared Resource, a core facility supported by the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant, facilitating basic science, clinical, and behavioral research necessary for translating genetic discoveries into clinical care.