Our Leadership Team

SPLAGen is governed by volunteer health professionals who provide genetic counseling. Our Board of Directors is responsible for defining the mission and purpose of society, setting long-term goals, strategic planning, monitoring general operations, approving organizational results and resource allocations. Committee chairs are responsible for managing committee functions by planning committee meetings, scheduling committee meetings, and coordinating work that aligns with the mission and objectives of our members.

Board of Directors

Laurie Simone, MS, CGC

Founder and Interim President

Laurie is a licensed and certified genetic counselor at the Center for Genetic and Genomic Medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Seton Hall University and her master's degree in microbiology and molecular genetics with a specialization in genetic counseling from Rutgers University. Laurie is a member of several professional societies, including the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the Network of Minority Genetic Professionals, and the New Jersey Human Genetics Association.

Daniela Diaz Caro, MS, CGC

Founder and Chair of the Interim Research Committee

Daniela is a genetic research consultant at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center. She graduated from the Genetic Counseling Program at Stanford University. Daniela was born and spent her childhood in Trujillo, Peru. Daniela's professional interests include translational research focused on improving genetic counseling services and outcomes for Latin American communities.

Brenda Zuniga, MS, CGC

Secretary and Treasurer

Brenda is a certified genetic counselor with more than four years of experience in the field of hereditary clinical and research cancer. He received a Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling from Ohio State University in 2018. She currently works for Vanderbilt University as a genetic counselor. Brenda was born and spent her childhood in Chihuahua, Mexico. His volunteer work includes efforts focused on increasing knowledge of the rights of minority groups in the field of genetics.

Sonia Margarit, MS, CGC

Member of the Board of Directors and Representative of South America

Sonia is a genetic counselor in general genetics and a graduate of the Sarah Lawrence College Genetic Counseling Program. She currently works as a genetic counselor at the Universidad del Desarrollo de Chile. Sonia's professional interests include the development of training programs in genetic counseling and genetic counseling in Latin America.

Gabriela de Morales, MD, MS

Member of the Board of Directors and Representative of Central America and the Caribbean

Dr. Valverde de Morales is a Guatemalan-Costa Rican doctor and genetic counselor. She is the Research Coordinator of the CRD Center at Emory University and is developing a genetic testing program for Guatemala and other Spanish-speaking countries.

Committee Leadership

Daiana Bucio, MS, CGC

Chair of the Education Committee
Daiana graduated from Stanford University with a master's degree in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling in 2018. She specializes in oncology and is passionate about helping to expand knowledge of genetics and genomics in Latin America. Outside of work, I love to travel and spend time with my family.

Laura Redondo, MSc, CCGC

Co-Chair of the Member Committee and Director of Marketing and Communications
Laura is a certified genetic counselor who graduated from the master's degree in Genetics and Genomics from Cardiff University in 2021. She currently practices as a Genetic Consultant at the Regional Laboratory in Hamilton, Ontario. He is interested and passionate about diversity and inclusion initiatives in the genetics community.

Isabela Bucco

Co-Chair of the Member Committee and Director of Marketing and Communications
Isabela is a biologist, graduated from the Federal University of Paraná. He is currently engaged in research in population genetics at the Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the same institution in Brazil. His work focuses on the characterization of genetic variants prevalent in the Latin American population, contributing to the understanding of genetic diversity in this region. In addition, Isabela aims to play a role in promoting collaboration and the exchange of experiences between professionals in the field of genetic counseling, in order to strengthen practices and develop solutions to benefit the communities involved