{"id":138054,"date":"2025-09-12T14:42:45","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T18:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/?post_type=bu-article&p=138054"},"modified":"2025-09-16T14:57:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T18:57:56","slug":"celebrating-the-2025-gms-outstanding-student-achievement-award-winners","status":"publish","type":"bu-article","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/news-events\/articles\/2025\/celebrating-the-2025-gms-outstanding-student-achievement-award-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the 2025 GMS Outstanding Student Achievement Award Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAwards & Honors<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCelebrating the 2025 GMS Outstanding
Student Achievement Award Winners\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) presented three high-achieving Class of
2025 graduates with Outstanding Student Achievement Awards for Community Service
and Outstanding Research<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n
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\"Red<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Todd W. Dowrey
<\/strong>PhD in Molecular & Translational Medicine, Program in Biomedical Sciences
Outstanding Student Achievement Award<\/strong>: PhD Research Category<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dowrey matriculated into the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS) in 2020 before transferring to the department of Molecular and Translational Medicine (MTM). He completed his research with Associate Professor of Medicine George Murphy, PhD, who cofounded the BU and BMC Center for Regenerative Medicine (CReM). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dowrey\u2019s research centers on understanding healthy aging by studying centenarians, individuals who live over 100 years, by developing a human stem cell\u2013based model of resiliency. He studies how cells produced from centenarian subjects respond to stress and insult, and how these responses may be different and more effective than cells produced from a typical ager.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe believe centenarians provide the blueprint to living longer, healthier lives due to not only their extended lifespan, but their extended health span, or years of life lived without disability, age-related disease, or cognitive decline,\u201d Dowrey says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This research works to address the limited amount of access and biomaterial available for collection and characterization from exceptional agers. During the pandemic, for example, accessing this older population was significantly more challenging out of concern for their safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a stem cell\u2013based approach has allowed Dowrey and his lab mates to generate a renewable source of biomaterial to use for a variety of current and future projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dowrey, who was a pioneer student for the Murphy Lab\u2019s projects on aging, has successfully defended his dissertation, \u201cInduced Pluripotent Stem Cell\u2013Based Modeling of Resiliency: Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Exceptional Longevity.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Dowrey hopes to continue his research on regenerative medicine and healthy aging as he finishes his PhD and explores industry science positions in the field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStem cell\u2013based models are an area of high interest for their potential in regenerative medicine and the modeling of aging-related disease,\u201d Dowrey says. \u201cI plan to remain in these fields and work toward advancing our understanding of aging-related disease, and hopefully develop therapies aimed at combating these diseases and improving our resiliency.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gloria Urrutia
<\/strong>Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MAMS) Program
Outstanding Student Achievement Award:<\/strong> Master\u2019s Research Category<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urrutia matriculated into the MAMS program in 2023, graduating in May 2025. For her thesis, Urrutia worked on projects addressing educational and healthcare barriers that disproportionately affect underrepresented communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For her thesis working with Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics Marisol Lopez, PhD, Urrutia investigated how technical flaws in physiology multiple-choice question (MCQ) assessments impact graduate and professional student performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mixed-methods approach found that flawed MCQs may favor students who have knowledge of test-taking strategies and can navigate misleading question and answer choices. The research highlights the importance of effective MCQ construction in ensuring equitable assessments for students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urrutia also worked on two clinical research projects focused on improving healthcare communication and education among Latinx and Caribbean communities. In the first project, she worked with Assistant Professor of Medicine Shana A.B. Burrowes, PhD, CPH, to explore patient-provider communication around antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the second project, she worked with Assistant Professor of Medicine Katherine Rizzolo, MD, to conduct Spanish-language interviews with Latinx patients to better understand their experiences with kidney disease education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[These projects] have given me the opportunity to uplift the voices of underrepresented communities and contribute to change through research,\u201d Urrutia says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This work is deeply meaningful for Urrutia. A first-generation Latina student, she was inspired to join these projects after participating in Lopez\u2019s study investigating perceptions of minority students in physiology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHearing the stories of students like me, as well as patients who resemble my own family members, motivates me to continue finding ways to help patients access the care and resources they need,\u201d she says. \u201cWhether through clinical or educational research, I\u2019ve found that meaningful solutions come from listening to those we aim to serve, and that is what continues to guide my work.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, Urrutia presented her research at the American Physiological Society Summit and the International Association of Medical Science Educators Conference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese research experiences have deepened my commitment to supporting underrepresented populations,\u201d she says. \u201cI look forward to continuing this work and integrating it into my future career in healthcare and research.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Marine Chido Nimblette
<\/strong>Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MAMS) Program
Outstanding Student Achievement Award<\/strong>: Master\u2019s Community Service<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nimblette, a member of the MAMS Class of 2025, served on the 2024\u20132025 mayorappointed SPARK team, a volunteer leadership and civic engagement council for Boston residents ages 20 to 35. As part of SPARK, she advised Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on programs and policies that affect young adults across the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nimblette represented the Fenway\/Kenmore area, where she helped set policy priorities, address city issues, plan for Boston\u2019s future, and increase civic engagement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February 2025, Nimblette designed a Black History Month campaign encouraging Bostonians to shop at Black-owned businesses across the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The campaign urged residents to have conversations about supporting Black-owned businesses and to celebrate culture in a tangible way. It culminated in a celebration at The Mix, a Black-owned restaurant in Dorchester, where Nimblette and her fellow SPARK members honored campaign participants.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c I plan to continue using both my personal time and my role on SPARK Boston to uplift local communities, especially by advocating for civic participation and highlighting Black entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The daughter of immigrant parents from Grenada and Zimbabwe who run their own family business, Nimblette credits her parents for teaching her to value and participate in community service. \u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up within a small, family-owned business gave me a deep understanding of the unique challenges that Black business owners face every day,\u201d Nimblette says. \u201cNo matter where I am, I make it a priority to dedicate my personal time to support and uplift Black entrepreneurs and help ease some of those everyday stressors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nimblette also worked on several events encouraging Gen-Z Bostonians to register to vote during the 2024 presidential election campaign, including voter registration events at the Museum of Fine Arts and several community roundtables with SPARK members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI enjoyed seeing firsthand how accessible and joyful civic engagement can be when young people are invited into the process in creative ways. I plan to continue using both my personal time and my role on SPARK Boston to uplift local communities, especially by advocating for civic participation and highlighting Black entrepreneurs,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019m particularly passionate about initiatives that blend health education, policy, and entrepreneurship.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Todd W. DowreyPhD in Molecular & Translational Medicine, Program in Biomedical SciencesOutstanding Student Achievement Award: PhD Research Category Dowrey matriculated into the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS) in 2020 before transferring to the department of Molecular and Translational Medicine (MTM). He completed his research with Associate Professor of Medicine George Murphy, PhD, who cofounded […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19603,"featured_media":133506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"bu_prepress_billboard":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term_manual":""},"tags":[356],"bu-publication":[367],"medicine-article-category":[],"medicine-topic":[],"news-article-category":[],"news-topic":[],"bu_edition":[447],"media_type":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/138054"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bu-article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19603"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138054"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/138054\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":138236,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/138054\/revisions\/138236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/133506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138054"},{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=138054"},{"taxonomy":"medicine-article-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/medicine-article-category?post=138054"},{"taxonomy":"medicine-topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/medicine-topic?post=138054"},{"taxonomy":"news-article-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-article-category?post=138054"},{"taxonomy":"news-topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-topic?post=138054"},{"taxonomy":"bu_edition","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_edition?post=138054"},{"taxonomy":"media_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/camed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media_type?post=138054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}