BU Alum Makes Gift To GMS BU’s BEST/Professional Life Program

Dr. Erika Ebbel Angle (GMS ’12) and her husband Colin Angle have donated a generous gift to the Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) Professional Life Office.  When asked about their motivation for the gift, Dr. Angle stated that “professional development of graduate students while in school greatly enhances the collegiate experience while also further preparing students for the next steps after graduation.”

Dr. Angle graduated in 2012 from BU, earning a PhD in Biochemistry under the guidance of Dr. Catherine Costello. She is currently the CEO and co-founder of Ixcela: The Internal Fitness Company, a Biotechnology company aimed at developing tests and interventions to improve gut microbiome efficacy and health.  She is also the founder of Science from Scientists, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education for children aged 8-13.  Erika has been the recipient of numerous awards, such as the inaugural GMS Distinguished Alumni Award (2017) and Distinguished Alumni Award (2018) from BU. Erika’s husband, Colin, is the CEO and co-founder of iRobot, which builds and innovates technology such as Roomba®, Braava®, and more.

With the generous support of Dr. Erika and Colin Angle, BU’s GMS is proud to announce the Angle Professional and Career Development Program, linked through the GMS Professional Life Office to support the BU’s BEST Program. With the goal to inspire and empower biomedical science trainees, initiatives and events supported by this endowment will help GMS scholars explore wide-ranging career options both inside and outside of academic research, including internships, career coaching, site visits, networking events, and workshops.

The GMS Professional Life Office incorporates the mission of the prior NIH-funded BU’s BEST (Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training) program which was focused on PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.  The Professional Life Office builds on this superb foundation to include master’s students and other trainees by organizing events and opportunities for all GMS students and scholars to learn more about careers and the impact they can have in their scientific and global communities.