Biochemistry and molecular biology alumna discovers rewarding career as a genetic counselor through Independent Study research

Miura Wiley ’21 decided to attend The College of Wooster in large part because she was recruited to play two sports. Wiley was a member of the women’s soccer and lacrosse teams all four years, even returning for a fifth year after her senior soccer season was canceled due to the pandemic. 

That team made it to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship game. But her fifth year was monumental for another reason as well. A biochemistry and molecular biology major, Wiley had conducted research related to fragile X syndrome, the leading cause of inherited intellectual disabilities, for her Independent Study. That led to an interest in the field of genetic counseling. “Wooster let me do an internship for credit during my fifth year,” she said. “I ended up reaching out to a genetic counselor and building an internship with her.” 

After graduating, Wiley earned her master’s degree in genetic counseling from Case Western Reserve University, receiving a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship that supported her studies. “I’m so appreciative that my coach and the athletics team at Wooster helped nominate me and guided me through the application process,” she said. 

Today, Wiley is a genetic counselor at University Hospitals in Cleveland, where she helps people understand their risk of developing or passing on genetic conditions. “Being able to offer information to people who don’t come in knowing all about genetics and cancer risk has been really rewarding and a big part of why I enjoy going to work every day,” Wiley said. 

This feature originally appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Wooster magazine.

Photo provided by Wiley.

Posted in Alumni, Magazine on March 13, 2025.