Elizabeth A. Harrington, MS, CGC

Elizabeth Harrington received her master's degree in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from the Stanford School of Medicine and her BA in Biology with a minor in Communicative Disorders from the University of Redlands. Ms. Harrington is a neurogenetics clinical and research genetic counselor with expertise in Motor Neuron Disease (MND). She provides genetic counseling and testing for those neuromuscular diseases, primarily with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Ms. Harrington oversees several research protocols focused on the genetic forms of ALS. She directs the ALS Families Project and PREVENT ALL ALS, longitudinal observational studies designed to better understand the genetic underpinnings of ALS by studying asymptomatic individuals who carry—or are at risk of carrying—disease-causing mutations. Beyond overseeing the long-term study components, she provides predictive genetic counseling to individuals at risk for having inherited an ALS-associated genetic variant. Ms. Harrington also serves as the genetic counselor and coordinator for the Pre-Clinical Silence ALS Program, a study dedicated to the discovery and development of personalized experimental antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies for ALS patients with rare, disease-causing gene mutations.

Ms. Harrington joined the Department of Neurology faculty in 2019 and currently serves as a Lecturer in Genetic Counseling. Within the Master's Program in Genetic Counseling at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, she plays an active role in academic leadership and instruction. Ms. Harrington is Co-Chair of the Curriculum Committee, a member of the Admissions Committee, Course Director and Lecturer for Biochemical Genetics, and serves as the Neurogenetics Fieldwork Supervisor.