Virginia C. Thurston, PhD, FACMGG, is the director of the Parke Cytogenetics Laboratory at the Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Parke Cytogenetics Laboratory performs chromosome analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and chromosomal microarray testing for over 50 hospitals. After earning her PhD from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Jennie completed her clinical cytogenetics fellowship at Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM). Following her fellowship, she joined the faculty and became the assistant director of the IUSM cytogenetics laboratory. While at IUSM, Jennie also was vice chair of education for the department of medical and molecular genetics, wherein she served as course director of medical genetics for the medical school and clinical cytogenetics for the graduate school. After leaving IUSM, Jennie established and directed the BayCare Cytogenetics Laboratory in Tampa, Florida.