Sandra Daack-Hirsch

Sandra Daack-Hirsch joined the faculty in the College of Nursing in January 2007. Prior to joining the College of Nursing as a faculty member, Daack-Hirsch worked for more than 15 years as a genetic nurse specialist and counselor. She was also a member of a large, interdisciplinary research group on genetic determinants of orofacial clefting.

From this foundation, Daack-Hirsch has built a research program that bridges basic genetic science with real-world application by providers, educators, and families/parents. Her program of research is patient-centered, with an emphasis on public engagement on issues related to the management of genetic/genomic health care information. Daack-Hirsch is currently the principal investigator on a funded project from the NIH entitled “Personal Perspective and Provider Communication of Genomic Risk for T2DM.” She leads a team of researchers investigating the use of prenatal screening among clinicians and women in Iowa.