Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC
Assistant Professor
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences
Genetic Counseling Program

MS, Stanford University School of Medicine
BS, Brandeis University

Pronouns: she/her/hers



Kimberly Zayhowski, MS, CGC is an Assistant Professor at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. Kim received her BS from Brandeis University, triple majoring in Neuroscience, Biology, and Psychology, and minoring in Mathematics. She received her MS in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Stanford University School of Medicine. Prior to joining the Boston University Genetic Counseling Program team in 2020, Kim worked at UMass Memorial Medical Center, counseling patients in general, prenatal, cancer, and cardiac genetics clinics. She then worked at Boston Medical Center as a cancer genetic counselor, and currently works in clinical research and as an educator. She serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Genetic Counseling. She was awarded the AGCPD Outstanding Clinical Supervisor Award in 2021 and the NSGC Leader in Cultural Advocacy Award in 2022.


Empowering Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals: Community-Led Educational Resources for Patients about Genetic Risk Assessment in Gender-Affirming Mastectomies
01/01/2025 - 12/31/2026 (PI)
National Society of Genetic Counselors


Human-centered design study to inform hereditary breast cancer risk assessment prior to gender affirming top surgery
06/15/2023 - 04/01/2025 (PI)
National Society of Genetic Counselors




Title


Yr Title Project-Sub Proj Pubs

Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.

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  1. Zayhowski K, Roth S, Westerfield MJ, Martin MA, Blumen K, Bland HT, McQuaid SW, Mittendorf KF. Navigating sexual orientation and gender identity data privacy concerns in United States genetics practices. J Genet Couns. 2025 Apr; 34(2):e70008. PMID: 40055970; PMCID: PMC11889477; DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.70008;
     
  2. Schechner J, Zayhowski K, Haghighat D, Ruderman M. Transgender and gender diverse patients' experiences with pregnancy-related genetics discussions: A qualitative study. J Genet Couns. 2025 Apr; 34(2):e2018. PMID: 40111221; DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.2018;
     
  3. Channaoui N, Zayhowski K, Austin JJ. Addressing United States government censorship as related to genetic counseling research in the Journal of Genetic Counseling. J Genet Couns. 2025 Apr; 34(2):e70029. PMID: 40119666; DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.70029;
     
  4. Beidler LB, Zayhowski K, Nahorniak M, Loo S, Gignac GA, Wang C, Gunn CM. Perceptions and Use of Germline Genetic Testing Among Patients With Prostate Cancer. JCO Oncol Pract. 2025 Mar 03; OP2400624.View Related Profiles. PMID: 40030090; DOI: 10.1200/OP-24-00624;
     
  5. Carmichael N, Zayhowski K, Saenz Diaz J. Deconstructing imposter syndrome among BIPOC genetic counseling students: Insights from a longitudinal qualitative study. J Genet Couns. 2024 Dec 04.View Related Profiles. PMID: 39632474; DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.2004;
     
  6. Zayhowski K, Wang C, Nahorniak M, Loo S, Gignac G, Gunn C. A qualitative study of the experiences of patients with prostate cancer when receiving negative genetic results: "I still don't have a grasp of what it all means". J Genet Couns. 2024 Nov 29.View Related Profiles. PMID: 39611226; DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.2003;
     
  7. Oeckinghaus C, Zayhowski K, Horowitz K, Haghighat D. Exploring preferences and support needs for disclosing 47, XXY status: A qualitative study of adults with XXY. J Genet Couns. 2024 Nov 19. PMID: 39560609; DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1991;
     
  8. Horowitz K, Zayhowski K, Palmour N, Haghighat D, Joly Y. Navigating the disclosure landscape: Parents' perspectives on healthcare professionals' role in supporting intersex children and families. J Genet Couns. 2024 Sep 09. PMID: 39252447
     
  9. Llorin H, Lundeen T, Collins E, Geist C, Myers K, Cohen SR, Zayhowski K. Gender and Sex Inclusive Approaches for Discussing Predicted Fetal Sex: A Call for Reflection and Research. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2024; 69(6):821-825. PMID: 39023042; PMCID: PMC11622365; DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13663;
     
  10. Jamal L, Zayhowski K, Berro T, Baker K. Queering genomics: How cisnormativity undermines genomic science. HGG Adv. 2024 Jul 18; 5(3):100297.View Related Profiles. PMID: 38637989; PMCID: PMC11129102; DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2024.100297;
     
Showing 10 of 31 results. Show More

This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown, or last author.

Bar chart showing 31 publications over 6 distinct years, with a maximum of 12 publications in 2024

YearPublications
20193
20201
20213
20238
202412
20254


2024 Building the Next Generation of Academic Physicians: Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Care Workshop Participant
2022 National Society of Genetic Counselors: Leader in Cultural Advocacy Award
2021 Boston University Genetic Counseling Program: AGCPD Outstanding Clinical Supervisor Award
2016 Brandeis University: Cum Laude
2015 Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University: Ruderman Social Justice in Disability Scholar
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