Melissa Clasen is a Teaching Fellow in the Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions (CHMI). She holds an MSc in Medicine (Genetic Counselling) from the University of the Witwatersrand and Psychology degrees from the University of Pretoria. She also has independent clinical practitioner status from the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

In clinical practice, Melissa worked as a genetic counsellor at leading UK institutions including Great Ormond Street Hospital and Guy’s and St. Thomas Hospital NHS. Her expertise spans prenatal, paediatric, adult, and cancer genetics, where she provided patient consultations, mentored trainees, and participated in departmental research and academic activities. Melissa was previously an education officer for a rare disease charity, where she lectured on rare and genetic conditions, coordinated a UK-wide study on medical education in rare disease, and co-developed e-learning modules on the mental health impacts of rare and heritable conditions.