Maria Descartes, MD, is the medical director for the genetic counseling program. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics. She received her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico, completed her pediatric internship at Mayaguez Medical Center and her residency in pediatrics at San Juan City Hospital. In 1991 she completed her fellowship in genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. She is board certified in pediatrics (2005) and medical genetics (2005). She has been a faculty member at UAB since 1991 and has worked extensively with genetic counselors. Dr. Descartes’ clinical interests include dysmorphology, lysosomal storage and other metabolic disease. She has actively participated in graduate student, resident and medical student education.