Dr. Corey-Bloom is the Director of the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Program, UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence (COE), and the Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP). She is a member of the Enroll-HD Executive Oversight Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of the Huntington’s Study Group (HSG). Dr. Corey-Bloom has been the Principal Investigator on over 50 clinical trials for the treatment of various dementing conditions. She has been honored as a “Top Doctor” in the field of Neurology by the San Diego County Medical Society for the past nine years and was selected by US News & World Report as a Top Doctor (Neurology & Neurosurgery) for 2011-2012.
Dr. Wright received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and his MD from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He served as an intern and neurology resident at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons - Neurological Institute of New York, where he was also trained as a Movement Disorders fellow. Dr. Wright has worked with HD patients in the clinic and research setting since 2014. He is a member of the Huntington Study Group, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society, the American Neurological Association, the American Academy of Neurology and the American Medical Association.
Andrew Hall
Andrew Hall is a Clinical Research Coordinator with the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. He graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience. Andrew is currently working to matriculate to medical school and hopes to go on to be a physician. In his off time, he enjoys cooking, learning new things, and surfing!
Georgia Parkin, MSc, PhD
Georgia is a postdoctoral scholar at the UCSD Huntington's disease clinical research center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. Georgia completed her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from The University of Melbourne and went on to The University of Zurich to complete her masters degree in Neuroscience. She matriculated into a PhD program at The University of Melbourne and completed her doctoral degree in Molecular Psychiatry in 2019. Georgia recently completed a postdoctoral position at The University of California - Irvine where she investigated salivary biomarkers in neurological diseases. This research drew Georgia into the field of Huntington's disease here at UCSD where she is continuing to investigate salivary, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and their importance in tracking HD onset, progression, and symptomology. Despite her extremely busy schedule, Georgia loves spending time with her cat Salem, exploring San Diego, and traveling!
Sean Patel
Sean Patel is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence.Hegraduated from University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and is currently working towards applying to a medical school program. In his free time,Seanlikes going to spend time with his family, watch TV and movies, and play FIFA.
Madison Atchley
Madison is the predictive testing coordinator at UCSD HDCRC. She is a recent graduate of California State University, San Marcos where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Biological Sciences. During undergrad, Madison worked as a research assistant and studied the potential genetic causes of Myotonic Dystrophy Type II (MD2), using CRISPR-Cas9 to increase rates of single stranded DNA in yeast to assess DNA instability. Her experience researching MD2 sparked her interest in pursuing a career in diseases caused by DNA repeats, leading her to work with Huntington’s Disease. Madison aspires to become a genetic counselor, contributing to her desire to currently work as a predictive testing coordinator here at UCSD. In her free time, Madison plays soccer, works as a restaurant server, and spends time with her friends, family, and dogs.
Tracey Truscott M.S.W, LCSW
Tracey Truscott is the clinical social worker for the HDSA Center of Excellence. Tracey graduated from San Diego State University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and a Master's Degree in Education and Social Work. She provides counseling and assistance to families facing Huntington's disease in our Huntington's disease clinic.
Lauren Korty, M.S.
Lauren Korty is a certified genetic counselor and an integral part of the predictive testing team at the UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence, primarily serving those who are at-risk for HD. She has been at UCSD for over four years and part of the predictive testing program since early 2008. She received her MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of California, Irvine and is board certified. She also specializes in prenatal genetic counseling and works with families affected by various hereditary diseases.
Paul Gilbert, Ph.D.
Dr. Gilbert is an Associate Professor in the SDSU-UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. He has been a research collaborator with the UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence since 2005. He continues to publish studies examining cognitive and motor changes associated with the premanifest and manifest stages of HD. He also is the Principal Investigator on two National Institutes of Health R01 grants and has published numerous studies on cognitive changes associated with healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative disease.
Chase Snell, B.S.
Chase Snell is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center (HDCRC) and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. Chase graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She is passionate about tortoises, Jazzercise, The Bachelor and shoes!
Our Alumni
Anna Smirnova
Anna Smirnova was a Clinical Research Coordinator with the UCSD Huntington's Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence. She graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor of Science in General Biology. Anna is currently attending medical school and is hoping to go on to be a physician. In her off time, she loves reading, baking, and watching horror movies!
Braden Culbert
BradenCulbert was a Clinical Research Coordinator at the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and UCSD HDSA Center of Excellence.Hegraduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Science and is currently working towards applying to a PhD program in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Neuropsychology. In his free time,Bradenlikes going to the gym, playing guitar, and going to the beach.
Emma Churchill
EmmaChurchill was a Research Assistant with the UCSD Huntington’s Disease Clinical Research Center and a Master’s student for the department of Psychology at San Diego State University.Emma recently completed her MS at SDSU and had previously completed her undergraduate degree at SDSU, where she majored in Psychology and double minored in gerontology and counseling and social change.Emmais currently applying to PhD programs in hopes to become a clinical neuropsychologist. In her free time,Emmaenjoys shopping for plants, walking with her dog, and poorly singing karaoke with her friends.
Shelby Hughes
Shelby is a candidate in the joint UC San Diego and SDSU doctoral program in clinical psychology and was a researcher here at the UCSD Huntington's Disease CoE. Shelby completed her undergraduate degree at University of Georgia before moving onto a masters program at Vanderbilt University. In her free time, Shelby enjoys spending time with her dog Darby and Cat Oliver, exploring San Diego, and going for walks on the beach!
