Allison Gregory first learned of genetic counseling when she was studying human biology as an undergrad at Stanford University. The challenges of understanding complex genetic concepts and helping all types of people understand them interested her, leading to graduate school at the Medical College of Virginia. Her first job was a traditional genetic counseling position in Los Angeles, working in a prenatal diagnosis clinic with pregnant patients and others with reproductive genetics issues.

After 7 years in Los Angeles, Allison was finally able to convince her husband to give up sunny Southern California and move back to Portland, her hometown. When she first met Susan Hayflick and Penny Hogarth, she was 6 months pregnant. Luckily, they were thinking about the long-term picture and hired her. Allison has been with the OHSU NBIA team for the last 12 years and has become passionate about the wonderful patients and families she meets as part of her work.

Allison’s job description has changed substantially year to year, depending on the needs of the team and the current focus. She has maintained the NBIA research repository since she was hired; it has grown to a database of over 500 affected individuals and has been a powerful tool for gene discovery. She has developed a skillset for performing the regulatory duties related to clinical research studies and human subjects. In addition, Allison enjoys writing and has co-authored several academic articles with the OHSU team and other collaborators. Currently, she has moved into a project manager role, helping to develop the NBIAcure.org website, a new database, and upcoming clinical studies.

Allison works part-time to have time at home with her husband and two sons, who are active basketball and baseball players. When she’s not spectating, Allison plays in a competitive tennis league. The entire family enjoys spending time at their cabin in Washington state, fly fishing, biking and enjoying the outdoors.