Whether you’re starting your career as a genetic counselor or have years of clinical practice under your belt, have you ever wondered how to become more involved in research and clinical trials? How to stay informed about the latest developments in diagnostics, therapeutics, and precision medicine? Or how to extend your expertise to help translate scientific advances into real-world impact for patients?
At the Institute for Genomics Education, Workforce & Leadership, we’re expanding this conversation—exploring how genetic counselors and genomics professionals can position themselves as essential contributors in the rapidly changing landscape of diagnostics, therapeutics, and clinical research.
The Landscape Is Changing—Fast
The fields of diagnostics and therapeutics are evolving at an unprecedented pace. Breakthroughs in genomics, gene editing, and immunotherapy are transforming how diseases are detected and treated. Clinical trials are now the proving grounds where these innovations become life-saving therapies. Genetic counselors are uniquely equipped to bridge the gap between discovery and delivery.
There’s no single path for genetic counselors to enter clinical trials and research. Unlike traditional clinical routes, these roles are diverse and interdisciplinary. Below, we explore why genetic counselors are invaluable within research and how their adaptability and range of expertise make them key to moving new therapies and technologies to the bedside.
Genetic Counselors at the Forefront of Discovery
Genetic counselors possess a deep understanding of genomic data, patient communication, and ethical considerations. This makes them critical in designing and implementing impactful research. From conversations with colleagues across the field and insights from recent conferences, it’s clear that genetic counselors are finding novel opportunities in clinical trials and research environments.
Take, for example, emerging cancer and rare disease trials—such as tumor-agnostic drug development—where genomics and immunotherapy converge. Just this past April, the New England Journal of Medicine published promising results from a genomics and immunotherapy-based clinical trial. In the trial, patients with mismatch repair–deficient locally advanced rectal cancer, for whom surgery would have been the first option via the standard of care, had remarkable results: 80-100% of the individuals had no detectable tumor, 80% overall were able to avoid surgery, and 92% were recurrence-free survival at two years. Trials like these represent the future of precision medicine—and the expertise of genetic counselors will be essential in bringing these breakthroughs to patients.
Diagnostics and Therapeutics: Two Sides of the Same Innovation
Despite diagnostics influencing an increasing number of medical decisions, they continue to receive a small share of healthcare investment. Yet, diagnostics are fundamental to enabling effective therapies. As the National Library of Medicine notes, sustainable investment and collaboration are key to realizing the full impact of diagnostic innovation.
Here lies a powerful opportunity: partnership. Diagnostic and therapeutic companies increasingly recognize the need to co-develop solutions that drive adoption, reimbursement, and clinical integration. Genetic counselors, with their systems-level understanding, patient-centric insight, and ability to translate complex science into clinical action, are natural connectors in this space.
The Bridge Between Research, Industry, and Patients
Clinical trials and research initiatives need more genetic counselors—not only as collaborators but as leaders. Genetic counselors bring transferable skills that span clinical care, data interpretation, patient engagement, regulatory understanding, and strategic thinking. Their ability to communicate across disciplines makes them ideal liaisons between researchers, clinicians, and patients navigating complex study designs.
Moreover, the adaptability, precision, and empathy that define the genetic counseling profession also empower genetic counselors to help shape clinical trial design, ensure informed consent, and improve diversity in patient enrollment—all crucial factors in bringing new therapeutics to patients.
Expanding Horizons
Although many genetic counselors are employed within clinical, patient-facing roles, the rapidly expanding world of diagnostics and therapeutics opens doors to a broader range of impactful opportunities—from clinical operations and regulatory affairs to translational research and biotech innovation. With their unique combination of technical knowledge and communication expertise, genetic counselors are positioned to be the bridge that connects scientific advancement to patient care.
NSGC ‘25 Recap
On Saturday, November 8—the midpoint of NSGC 2025 in Seattle—our Institute members answered questions and had a live discussion with some of the session panelists who are driving innovation in clinical trials and research. You can hear more from them in the recorded session. To read more about our booth, conference experience, and our reflections, don’t hesitate to check out our LinkedIn page!