We are a group of expert clinical genetics specialists who provide care to people with genetic concerns from pre-pregnancy, throughout childhood and into adult life. Our telehealth clinics are available to people across Australia. All appointments in our clinic will be conducted by a clinical genetics doctor and you may also be seen by an experienced genetic counsellor.
GENETICISTS
Dr Chloe Cunningham BHsc BMBS FRACP PhD
Dr Chloe Cunningham is a clinical geneticist who sees both children and adults in Melbourne, regional Victoria, and the Northern Territory. She works across general genetics, IVF-related genetics, and specialised neurological services.
Her areas of expertise include genetic conditions that affect the brain, such as white matter disorders and brain malformations. She is also involved in research focused on developing more targeted treatments for genetic diseases.
Dr Cunningham aims to provide clear, thoughtful support to individuals and families as they navigate genetic testing and diagnosis. She takes a practical, patient-focused approach to care, working closely with other healthcare providers to help ensure the best outcomes.
Professor Sue White MBBS FRACP
Professor Sue White is a clinical geneticist with more than 20 years experience assessing children and adults with genetic conditions. Sue trained in Melbourne and Oxford, and brings to each encounter with families a deep understanding of how genetic conditions impact individuals, and how genetic tests can help bring clarity. Sue is a genomics expert which means she can help families find the test they need and access the best treatment options.
Dr Natasha Brown, MBBS FRACP PhD
Dr Natasha Brown is a clinical geneticist who completed her training in Paediatrics and Clinical Genetics at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Victorian Clinical Genetics Service (VCGS). She has over 15 years’ experience working in various genetic clinics around Victoria, providing genetic care to children, adults, and couples in the context of genetic conditions and pregnancy. Natasha completed her PhD in 2015 and she has ongoing interests in the genetics of vascular anomalies, paediatric syndromes, new technologies to improve genetic diagnoses, and improving access to genetic testing for patients and families.
Consulting Genetic Counsellors
Ms Megan Cotter, BBmedSc MGenCouns, FHGSA
Megan is a highly skilled genetic counsellor with over 13 years clinical practice experience in Australia. She has predominantly worked in adult genetics, with particular expertise in familial cancer, neurogenetics, renal genetics and cardiac genetics. Megan completed her Master of Genetic Counselling through the University of Melbourne and is a certified member of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA). Megan is an active member of the profession and currently sits on the Professional Practice Committee under the HGSA Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling.
Ms Sam Ayres, BSc(Hons), MGenCouns, CCGC, FHGSA
Originally from Canada, Sam moved to Melbourne in 2012 to complete her Master of Genetic Counselling at the University of Melbourne. Since graduating in 2014, she has worked as a clinical genetic counsellor across a wide range of specialties, including adult, paediatric, neonatal, and prenatal genetics. Sam is passionate about building genuine connections with the individuals and families she supports, and strives to empower them to understand and engage with the genetic aspects of their healthcare. Outside of work, Sam enjoys cloud watching, cooking, staying active, reading, and spending time with her son, husband, and grumpy cat.
Ms Lisette Curnow, BSc, Grad Dip Genetic Counselling, FHGSA
Lisette has been working as a Genetic Counsellor with Victorian Clinical Genetics Services at the Royal Children’s Hospital since 1999. She has a science background with a Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling and a Master of Health Science from Melbourne University. She coordinated the genetics curriculum of the Graduate Diploma of Genetic Counselling (now the Master’s course) for over 10 years and continues to have an interest and role in genetic education through Melbourne University and the University of Technology Sydney. Her work now primarily involves paediatric oncology and neurology, predictive testing for adult-onset neurodegenerative conditions, and a laboratory genetic counselling role in RCH laboratory services. Lisette is the current chairperson of the Australasian society of Genetic Counsellors
Ms Lucinda Salmon, BSc, Grad Dip Genetic Counselling, FHGSA
Lucinda Salmon is an experienced and compassionate Genetic Counsellor, certified with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA). She completed her Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling at the University of Newcastle, NSW, in 2004 and achieved full HGSA certification (FHGSA) in 2009. Lucinda is a recognised leader in her field. With over two decades of clinical experience, Lucinda has developed deep expertise in inherited cancer conditions. She spent 13 years at the Peter MacCallum Familial Cancer Centre. She has held leadership roles at the Austin Health Clinical Genetics Service and the Alfred Health Clinical Genetics & Genomics Service, that both provide Familial Cancer
Services. At the centre of Lucinda’s practice is a genuine dedication to patient care. She is passionate about supporting individuals and families to understand genetic information, make informed choices, and access appropriate medical care. Her approach is grounded in empathy, clear communication, and an understanding of the emotional and psychological impact of a genetic diagnosis.
Ms Elly Lynch, BSc, Grad Dip Genetic Counselling, FHGSA
Elly is a senior genetic counsellor with over twenty years’ experience across all areas of genetics, including paediatric, adult, cancer and neurogenetic conditions. Based at the Victorian Clinical Genetics Service at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Elly works in the Paediatric and Ocular Genetics Clinics in addition to providing outreach genetic counselling to adults and children in the Northern Territory. She has previously worked in clinical and management roles at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Austin Health and the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital in the United Kingdom in addition to six years with the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, a collaborative project of ten healthcare and research organisations working to bring genomic medicine into Victoria’s healthcare system. Elly is the current Deputy Chair of the Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors. She provides clinical supervision to Associate Genetic Counsellors, teaching in the Masters of Genetic Counselling and is involved in a number of research projects related to genetic healthcare.