Staff

Jason Rothstein, MPH, is the Executive Director of the Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics. Prior to joining the Sarnoff Center in 2015, Jason was a Program Manager at the MidAmerica Center for Public Health Practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), focusing on policy interventions for community-based chronic disease prevention. He brings additional experience related to patient empowerment though his independent consulting with clients such as the Office of Consumer eHealth at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You can reach Jason at JasonRothstein@juf.org.

Ariana Roman, MPH, serves as the Sarnoff Center’s Community Health Educator. In this role, she creates, delivers, and promotes health education related to Jewish genetic disorders and hereditary cancers. Prior to joining the team in 2021, she worked as a graduate research assistant on studies related to LGBTQ student health and intimate partner violence. Ariana has a BA from SUNY-University at Buffalo and an MPH from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Outside of work, she enjoys trying new restaurants. You can reach Ariana at ArianaRoman@juf.org.

Melissa Damrongvachiraphan, MS, CGC, serves as the Sarnoff Center’s Genetic Counselor. In this role, she educates the Jewish community on genetics and co-coordinates the Sarnoff Center’s carrier screening program. Prior to joining the team in 2019, she was a clinical prenatal and preconception genetic counselor in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Science specializing in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of Western Ontario and a master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University. Outside of work, she enjoys watching movies, trying new restaurants around the city, and taking her dog, Hiro, for walks along the lake. You can reach Melissa at MelissaDamron@juf.org.

Carol Guzman serves as the Sarnoff Center’s Senior Program Associate. In this role, she helps put on the Center’s larger-scale events, manages the carrier screening program and runs the Sarnoff Center’s social media channels. Prior to joining the team in 2018, she was a campaign associate with JUF’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) and previously served as a Lewis Summer Intern with JUF. Carol has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Richmond. Outside of work, Carol enjoys hosting friends in her Lakeview apartment. You can reach Carol at CarolGuzman@juf.org.

Jess Magill serves as the Sarnoff Center’s Project Coordinator. In this role, she helps manage the carrier screening program, monitors progress of ongoing projects, and works with additional teams within the Community Outreach Department. Prior to joining the team in 2021, she was in Campaign on the JUF Professionals Network team as an administrative aide. Jess has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Indiana University Bloomington. Outside of work, she enjoys finding new coffee spots around Chicago and exploring nature trails with her dog. You can reach Jess at JesseMagill@juf.org.