GMS PhD Spotlight: Chelsea Webber
Chelsea Webber is a degree candidate in the GMS PhD Program in Biomolecular Pharmacology. Her dissertation research in the lab of Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics Benjamin Wolozin, MD, PhD, focused on ways to decrease the overactivation of immune response in neurodegenerative diseases. Chelsea defended her dissertation in March 2024 and will graduate in May 2024. Read more about Chelsea below! What did you complete your dissertation research on and how did you settle on that topic? In neurodegenerative diseases, there is an increase in immune responsiveness. My dissertation research focused on ways to decrease this overactivation. One of my research projects... More
GMS Master’s Spotlight: Elena Redmond (BMFS ’24)
Elena Redmond is a May 2024 degree candidate in the Biomedical Forensic Sciences (BMFS) master’s program. Her thesis research used a high-pressure mass spectrometer to create a library for detecting organic gunshot residue. Aside from her studies, Elena has spent almost two years working as an intern with the GMS Marketing & Communications team, where she took ownership over updating the web calendar, helping with Spotlight articles and assembling the bi-weekly GMS Press newsletter. Congratulations, Elena! We'll miss you! Tell me a bit about your journey to Boston. Are you from the area? I’m originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. I've lived there practically my whole... More
GMS PhD Spotlight: Katie Babcock
Katie Babcock, PhD, is a January 2024 graduate of the PhD program in Anatomy & Neurobiology. Her dissertation research under Professor of Neurology & Pathology Ann McKee at the BU Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Center focused on changes in astrocytes in the brains of deceased former American football players. Katharine defended her dissertation in November 2023. Read more about Katie below! What did you complete your dissertation research on and how did you settle on that topic? My research focused on how a particular type of brain cells, called astrocytes, changes in the brains of deceased former American football players. I moved... More
Introducing Our 2024 Commencement Speakers!
We’re about five weeks away from Spring 2024 Commencement, where the Graduate Medical Sciences community will come together to celebrate this year’s graduating students. With the date fast approaching, we’d like to take a moment to highlight the four students selected to speak at this year’s GMS Commencement exercises. 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 each speaker below: ARIS DESAI Master of Science in Anatomy & Neurobiology – Vesalius... More
GMS Celebrates Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week with 5 Days of Events
Graduate Medical Sciences Student Affairs and the Community Catalyst Center celebrated our students during 2024 Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week (GPSAW), celebrated from April 1 to 5. Throughout the week, we hosted a variety of events that brought students together for community building, social interaction, academic enrichment, wellness, and professional development. Read our full GPSAW week recap below: Monday, April 1: Mindful Movement Yoga with Student Health Services GPSAW week kicked off with a well-deserved self-care break in Hiebert Lounge from noon to 1 p.m. Melissa Paz, assistant director of health promotion for Student Health Services, joined us to lead a Mindful Movement Yoga Session. More
GMS PhD Spotlight: Gian Sepulveda
Gian Sepulveda is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics (GPGG). His research in the lab of Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Cell Biology Alla Grishok focuses on the interaction between the sole H3K79 methyltransferase, DOT1L, and the proto-oncogene c-MYC. He is also a Community Catalyst Center mentor in the gPLUS and gGLOBAL affinity groups. Gian defended his dissertation in March 2024 and will graduate in May 2024. Read more about Gian below! What did you complete your dissertation research on and how did you settle on that topic? My dissertation focuses on the interaction between the sole... More
GMS PhD Spotlight: Táchira Pichardo
Táchira Pichardo is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Molecular & Translational Medicine (MTM). Her research in the lab of Assistant Professor of Medicine Sarah Mazzilli, PhD, studies the progression of premalignancy in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Táchira defended her dissertation in March 2024 and will graduate in May 2024. Read more about Táchira below! What did you complete your dissertation research on and how did you settle on that topic? My dissertation research focused on using a mouse model of carcinogen exposure to understand the immune contribution to the progression of premalignancy in lung squamous cell carcinoma. I have... More
PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences Hosts Third-Annual Accepted Applicant Visit Day
On Friday, March 22, the Graduate Medical Sciences Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS) hosted its third-annual Accepted Applicant Visit Day. The event brought close to 50 accepted applicants from across the country to the Medical Campus, where they learned more about the academic, research, and professional development opportunities offered by PiBS. Accepted applicants began the day by attending a networking breakfast with peers and Boston University faculty members. Following breakfast, applicants explored Boston on an Old Town Trolley Tour through the city, which highlighted the BU campus and other important sites close by. Students returned to the Medical Campus for a busy afternoon... More
Four GMS Faculty Named Recipients of Edward Avedisian Professorships
Four Graduate Medical Sciences faculty have been named recipients of Edward Avedisian Professorships, funded from the $100 million gift made in 2022 by the late Edward Avedisian (CFA'59,'61, Hon.'22) and his wife Pamela (Hon.'23). The four GMS faculty members are: Rachel Fearns, chair of virology, immunology, and microbiology. Dr. Fearns was named the Ernest Barsamian, MD, Professor. Hee-Young Park, professor and chair of medical sciences and education, professor of dermatology, and associate dean for faculty affairs. Dr. Park was named the Carolann S. Najarian, MD, Professor. Andrew Taylor, associate dean of research and professor and vice chair of research in ophthalmology. Dr. Taylor was... More
Mark Your Calendars for Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week!
Graduate Medical Sciences and the Community Catalyst Center are thrilled to celebrate the invaluable contributions of our graduate and professional student community during this year’s Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation week! We have planned a week full of social events, academic and professional development opportunities, food and swag pickups, and more to mark the occasion. Check out a full list of GPSAW week events at GMS below! Monday, April 1 Mindful Movement Yoga with Student Health Services Noon to 1 p.m. in Hiebert Lounge Kick off Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week with a well-deserved self-care break! Melissa Paz, assistant director of health promotion for... More