We are less than one month away from our Spring 2026 Commencement exercises, where the Graduate Medical Sciences community will celebrate this year’s graduating master’s, PhD, and MD-PhD students.
Today, we would like to introduce you to the four students selected to speak during this year’s ceremonies.
Three students were chosen to speak at the Master’s Ceremony, and one student was chosen to represent GMS at the MD & PhD Ceremony. All speakers were nominated by their programs, and finalists were selected by a committee of GMS representatives.
Meet Sam Camilli, Farihah Chowdhury, Paige Conner, and Jenna Libera below.
SAM CAMILLI
Master of Science in Pathology Laboratory Sciences
Sam Camilli was raised in Sarasota, Florida, and matriculated into the Master of Science in Pathology Laboratory Sciences program in Fall 2024.
Sam’s thesis research in the lab of Thomas Clarke, PhD, assistant professor of pathology & laboratory medicine, sought to characterize the function of a novel protein in DNA repair, which is a critical mechanism underlying cancer progression. Sam and his team used public health data to identify that the loss of this novel protein is associated with progression of breast cancer and significantly higher mortality in African American/Black women.
“What is the role of this protein in protecting our cells against malignancy, and why does its loss correlate with worse survival in a specific population?” Sam asked. “These are the questions I sought to answer during my master’s program and have made some clinically relevant findings.”
During his time at GMS, Sam enjoyed the opportunity to work with students and faculty across many disciplines on the medical campus.
“The sheer diversity of knowledge and experiences in those I have had the pleasure to meet has motivated me throughout my time here,” Sam said. “I could not have landed in a better place to pursue my graduate education.”
Following graduation, Sam plans to take some time off to spend time with his family and enjoy nature. In the fall, Sam will begin medical school at UMass Chan Medical School.
Sam’s advice to future students? “Make plans for your life but hold onto them loosely.”
FARIHAH CHOWDHURY
Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MAMS)
Farihah Chowdhury was raised on Long Island, New York and matriculated into the Master of Science in Medical Sciences program in Fall 2024.
She completed her thesis in the lab of Vipul Chitalia, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, where she studied the neurocognitive decline of mice with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.
“CKM is a syndrome that encompasses the combination of chronic kidney disease with various metabolic factors that the disease is usually associated with,” Farihah said. “It was great to get involved in such translational research.”
Farihah reflects fondly on the community she built in GMS during her time in the MAMS program. The friends she made and networks she built are “genuine connections for life,” according to Farihah.
Following graduation, Farihah plans to apply to medical school. She advises future students to prioritize a professional and personal balance through a healthy mix of social experiences and academic focus.
“I recommend putting your all into your studies but also taking the time to find ways to explore Boston, make friends, and unwind to have a good work-life balance.”
PAIGE CONNER
Master of Science in Physician Assistant
Originally from Stephens City, Virginia, Paige Conner moved to the Boston area to matriculate into the Physician Assistant Master’s Program in 2023.
Throughout her time in the program, Paige explored how teaching spiritual care in physician assistant education can strengthen provider competence and improve end-of-life care.
Paige credits the people she met along the way with bolstering her graduate school experience and guiding her growth as a healthcare professional.
“I made lifelong friends amongst my classmates, and the [medical school] run club,” Paige said.
Paige plans to return to her hometown following graduation and apply for positions supporting the community that raised her.
Reflecting on her time in GMS, Paige advises future students to “intentionally make time for the people, hobbies, and routines that ground [them].”
“Being a better person outside the hospital ultimately makes you a better provider inside it,” she said.
JENNA LIBERA
PhD in Pharmacology
Jenna Libera grew up in Charlton, Massachusetts, and matriculated into the PhD Program in Pharmacology in 2020.
She completed her dissertation research in the lab of Benjamin Wolozin, MD, PhD, a professor in the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology. In her research, she used a novel sequencing approach to uncover methylation events in human patient Alzheimer’s brains that associate with disease processes and pathological markers.
“This work is important for understanding genetic regulation associated with neurodegeneration and could serve as the foundation for future gene therapy and biomarker applications,” Jenna said.
Jenna successfully defended her dissertation and graduated in January 2026. She now works at Eli Lilly in Boston, where she supports adeno-associated virus gene therapy development for neurodegenerative diseases and sensory impairment. Still a student at heart, Jenna also plans to begin Polish classes this summer.
One of the most significant parts of Jenna’s time at GMS was the community of peers and colleagues she built. Together, they celebrated wins, worked through challenges, and caught up at seminars and socials throughout the years.
“I never felt isolated and had plenty of options for fun,” Jenna said. “It was a wonderful experience to build such great relationships among my peers as we were all going through such a transformative period in our lives together.”
For Jenna, embracing a “Yes!” attitude and taking on opportunities beyond the lab, whether large or small, helped her balance rigorous classes and dissertation work and care for her wellbeing. These experiences were important to cultivating Jenna’s overall experience at BU and beyond.
“You might not remember all the details of what you did, but you will always remember how you felt,” Jenna said. “I think this is key to a well-rounded and sustainable graduate education journey.”
Congratulations to our Commencement speakers! We look forward to seeing them, and all our graduates, take the stage in a few weeks.
The 2026 Commencement exercises will take place on Thursday, May 14 at the BU Track & Tennis Center, located on the Charles River Campus at 100 Ashford Street.
The Master’s Convocation Ceremony is first at 10 a.m., and the MD & PhD Convocation Ceremony is next at 3 p.m.
For more information, click here.