Congratulations to the Graduate Medical Sciences Class of 2026!
Over 360 Graduate Medical Sciences students walked during the 2026 Master’s and MD & PhD Convocation exercises, held on Thursday, May 14 at the Boston University Track & Tennis Center.
The Master’s Ceremony started at 10 a.m., followed by the MD & PhD Ceremony at 3 p.m. Graduates from August 2025 and January 2026, as well as degree candidates from May 2026 and August 2026, participated.
As of May 2026, GMS has conferred the following degrees:
- 17 PhD
- 5 MD/PhD
- 42 MA
- 334 MS
- 6 MS/MPH
- 2 MS/MS
The 431 degrees above include totals from August 2025, January 2026, and May 2026. GMS will soon confer degrees to August 2026 degree candidates.
Four GMS students spoke at this year’s ceremonies: Sam Camilli, Farihah Chowdhury, Paige Conner and Jenna Libera. Each speaker was nominated by their program and selected by a committee of GMS representatives.
Camilli spoke on behalf of the Master of Science in Pathology Laboratory Sciences. He matriculated into the program in Fall 2024 and completed his thesis research alongside Thomas Clarke, PhD, assistant professor of pathology & laboratory medicine. He will begin medical school at UMass Chan in the fall.
Chowdhury represented the Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MAMS) Program. She completed her thesis in the lab of Vipul Chitalia, MD, PhD, professor of medicine. Following graduation, she plans to apply to medical school.
Conner is a degree candidate in the Physician Assistant master’s program. Her research explored how teaching spiritual care in PA education can strengthen provider competence and improve end-of-life care. She plans to return to work in her hometown of Stephens City, Virginia.
Libera, a graduate of the PhD in Pharmacology program, spoke at the MD & PhD convocation ceremony. She completed her dissertation research in the lab of Benjamin Wolozin, MD, PhD, a professor in the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology. She currently supports adeno-associated virus gene therapy development at Eli Lilly in Boston.
Read more about our Convocation speakers here.
The ceremonies also included speeches from Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Dean ad interim Hee-Young Park, PhD, and Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Sciences C. James McKnight, PhD. Acclaimed surgeon, author, and public health researcher Atul Gawande, MD, MPH, delivered the keynote address during the MD & PhD ceremony.
Read more about the Master’s Convocation Ceremony here.
Read more about the MD & PhD Convocation Ceremony here.
Recordings of both ceremonies are available now. The Master’s Ceremony is available on the GMS Convocation Weekend website, and the MD & PhD Ceremony is available on the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine website.
Facebook albums of the Master’s Ceremony and the MD & PhD Ceremony are now available for viewing.
