PhD Alumni Recognized for Distinguished Careers at Inaugural Ceremony

The Division of Graduate Medical Sciences held their inaugural PhD Distinguished Alumni Awards on Thursday, Sept. 14. Faculty, staff, current students and alumni gathered in Hiebert Lounge for lunchtime and evening celebrations to honor two special graduates who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of medicine and science.

GMS has nearly 1,200 alumni and Associate Provost Lynda Hyman, PhD, is eager to hear more from them. “We are delighted to learn from our alumni and are always looking to recognize their accomplishments.”

This year’s Distinguished Alumni are Erika Ebbel Angle, PhD, and Steven Perrin, PhD.

Angle is a 2012 graduate of the Department of Biochemistry. She is the founder and Executive Director of Science from Scientists, which aims to teach and inspire the next generation to identify and solve real-world problems by improving STEM literacy. Angle also is the co-founder and CEO of Ixcela, a health and wellness company that helps individuals improve their internal health.

Angle was introduced by her BUSM mentor, Catherine Costello, MS, PhD. Angle told a series of stories about her life experiences – from her time volunteering at the VA as Miss Massachusetts, to the beginning stages of starting her own company. Her advice for students: keep your mind open, think outside the box and recognize the importance of serendipity.

Perrin is a 1995 graduate of the Department of Biochemistry and the CEO and CSO of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) in Cambridge. He serves on the Advisory Council for the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Perrin’s advice: “Be creative and take chances. There are no boundaries.” He stressed that graduates have to wear multiple hats (especially at smaller or medium-size firms) and they must stay on the cutting edge of science/medicine to help prevent diseases.

He was nominated by fellow MED’07 alum Theo Hatzipetros, a senior scientist at ALS TDI. After his award acceptance, he shared some of the complexities of curing ALS

The new GMS event also allowed for current students to network with alumni and faculty. The ceremony was sponsored by BU’s BEST. See more on the Facebook album.