Maddie Grace Runyans ’25 knew she wanted to pursue genetics.
Seeking hands-on experience, Runyans, a biology major from Laurens, South Carolina, applied for an internship at Greenwood Genetic Center in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Initially, things didn’t go according to her plans – she wasn’t selected.
“It wasn’t that people didn’t look at her credentials,” says Dr. Mike Friez, director of GGC’s diagnostic laboratories. “We just received a lot of applications.”
Runyans didn’t give up. She reached out to Dr. Steve Skinner ’75, GGC’s president and CEO. Skinner connected her with Friez, which led to an opportunity for Runyans to work as a volunteer intern this summer.
“She was persistent … and it has turned out to be a really good thing,” Friez says.
GGC is a nonprofit institute that conducts research and offers clinical genetic services, diagnostic laboratory testing and educational programs.
Runyans examines scientific articles on DNA methylation and studies variant and interpretation guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. She assists in examining patient data and suggesting diagnoses. Occasionally, Runyans sits in during patient consultations.
“A lot of the questions she asks, I don’t have an answer to,” Friez says. “Whatever I ask her to do, she dives in headfirst. She’s not interested in the superficial information. She wants to know the details.”
Runyans says the experience has deepened her interest in the field.
“Genetics is incredibly intriguing,” she says. “It also involves working with patients and helping them improve their quality of life based on their diagnoses.”