Capstones to Careers: Talia Silver

Diverse experience, persistence, and a motivation to break down barriers in the field of genomics led Medical Genomics alumna Talia Silver to a position in one of science’s most dynamic industries. Talia now leverages the skills gained from the Medical Genomics program in her fulfilling career as a Senior Genomic Support Scientist at Illumina.

After high school, Talia began her educational journey at Glow Academy, certifying her as a professional Makeup Artist. Following this, Talia pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biology at York University where her interest in genetics first began. During her time at York University, Talia studied the basics of genetics, becoming interested in the implications the field of genomics has for humans and life decisions. Talia was determined to further her education in this field by understanding the intricacies of genetics and gaining the skills required for a career in genomics all while balancing the life of a parent. This led her to join the first cohort of the Medical Genomics program at the University of Toronto.

The Medical Genomics program provided Talia with rigorous training in genomics, including invaluable hands-on experience through her Capstone Practicum in the Genome Diagnostics Laboratory at the Hospital for Sick Children. Here, Talia worked on using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for rare disease applications, developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for analyzing genomes systematically, and a project on pre-validation for testing repeat expansions.

In her role at the Genome Diagnostics Laboratory, Talia leveraged her skills from the Medical Genomics program and applied them to real-world applications. From learning about scientific methods and study design in the Genomic Methodologies course, to understanding how to communicate complex topics in the Communication of Genetic Information course, Talia was prepared to tackle multiple projects for her Capstone Practicum.

The Capstone Practicum taught Talia the fundamentals of genome analysis and the value of meticulous, well-thought-out validation at a clinical level. “Learning these skills proved to be foundational to the work that I do in my current job,” explains Talia. Getting the opportunity to use various software and tools throughout the Capstone Practicum was Talia’s “serendipitous exposure to Emedgene” -  a software she currently works with.

Today, Talia is a Senior Genomic Support Scientist at Illumina, specializing in “the application and utilization of the Emedgene software for genomic data interpretation.” Her work involves managing customer support on a national and global scale, leading Emedgene implementations, communicating feedback and requests between customers and developers, and working on many other side projects. Talia describes her role as being “at the intersection of commercial customer success, genomic data analysis, and software expertise.”

Talia credits the Medical Genomics program for providing her with well-rounded exposure and the training required for jumpstarting her career in the field. The foundational knowledge and background Talia gained through the Medical Genomics coursework prepared her to confidently interact and engage with customers to provide them with the specific tools required for their own success.

Talia is continually inspired by the ability to solve real-world problems in genomics. One of the issues she highlights is the limitation in access and implementation of genomic testing technologies, leading to delays in patient care and diagnosis. “After some exposure to academia and healthcare, I found that the fastest way for me to see and enable these impacts is through industry,” Talia notes. Illumina is a big player in the field of genomics and has allowed labs to increase their genetic testing capacity, loosen their bottlenecks, and provide patients with results faster. “Personally, that is my North Star,” Talia emphasizes, “where can I make a real change in the world around me? Where can I break down barriers that get in the way of people achieving success in genomics?” Talia aspires to continue contributing to the field of genomics by helping further advance projects, products, and applications for labs.

For aspiring genomics professionals, Talia offers some practical advice:

• Broaden your toolbox: “Gain and record any and all experience, you never know where it might come in handy! Customer service experience, any form of artistic training (visual arts, design, user experience, drama and presentation skills), professional soft skills, excel tricks. Whatever you have, add it to your toolbox and use it to create your unique stamp on your work.”
• Value connections: The genomics community is tight-knit, both locally and globally. Maintaining positive connections and professionalism is crucial.
• Never stop learning: This field is ever-evolving, and it is doing so faster than ever. It is essential to keep up with the latest news, continuously cultivate your network, and keep learning.

Talia’s journey into her genomics career underscores the importance of determination, adaptability, and diverse experience for success in the field. Talia continues to push boundaries in genomics while inspiring those eager to make their mark in this exciting field. We wish Talia all the best for her continued success in the field of genomics!