Spotlights
Students, Faculty & Alumni

PhD Student Spotlight: Michelle Nguyen
Michelle Nguyen is a PhD candidate in the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics. She works in the lab of Associate Professor of Microbiology John Connor at the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL). Michelle’s research studies how SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the inner lining of blood vessels in order to understand the effect of the virus on the endothelium and endothelial cells. Michelle is a recipient of a Draper Fellowship, which will allow her to... More

PhD Spotlight: Matthew Reiss ’23
Matthew Reiss is a PhD candidate in the Biomolecular Pharmacology program at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Matt’s research in the lab of Rachel Flynn, PhD, studies the role that a long non-coding RNA, TERRA, plays in the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway for mammalian cancer cells. Matt successfully defended his dissertation in March 2023 and will graduate in the upcoming May 2023 Commencement exercises. Read more about Matt below! What did... More

Congratulations to Our 2023 Outstanding Student Achievement Award Winners!
Graduate Medical Sciences is pleased to award three high-achieving, graduating students with Outstanding Student Achievement Awards in the categories “Outstanding Research” and “Community Service.” These students have made exceptional contributions to their departments and communities that have set them apart from their peers during their time at GMS. Meet each awardee below: Claire Burgess '23 PhD in Molecular & Translational Medicine Program in Biomedical Sciences Claire Burgess will officially graduate in May 2023, leaving behind a tremendous research impact on... More

2023 Outstanding Student Achievement Award: PhD Research Category
Claire Burgess '23 Molecular & Translational Medicine Program in Biomedical Sciences Claire Burgess will officially graduate in May 2023, leaving behind a tremendous research impact on the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Burgess, a PhD student in the Graduate Medical Sciences Program in Molecular & Translational Medicine (MTM), is a 2023 winner of the GMS Outstanding Student Achievement Award in the PhD Research category. Burgess matriculated into the PhD umbrella Program in Biomedical Sciences in 2017, following... More

2023 Outstanding Student Achievement Award: Master’s Community Service Category
Rhode-Armelle Jean Jacques '23 Physician Assistant Program “Community is a huge part of everything that I’ve done,” said Rhode-Armelle Jean Jacques, the winner of the 2023 Graduate Medical Sciences Outstanding Student Achievement Award in the Master’s Community Service category. Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jean Jacques and her mother sought refuge in Miami, Florida, due to ongoing political instability in the country. Jean Jacques completed high school and her undergraduate degree in Miami, graduating from the University... More

PhD Student Spotlight: Emilie Mausser ‘23
Emilie Mausser is a PhD candidate in the Molecular and Translational Medicine program through the Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS). Emilie’s research in the lab of Professor of Medicine Deborah Anderson, PhD, works on developing a nonhormonal, on-demand contraceptive product. Emilie successfully defended her dissertation in March 2023 and will graduate in the upcoming May 2023 Commencement exercises. Read more about Emilie below! What did you complete your dissertation research on and how did you settle... More

PhD Student Spotlight: Keshia Pitt ‘23
Today, we’re highlighting Keshia Pitt, a May PhD candidate in the Molecular and Translational Medicine program through the Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS). Keshia’s dissertation, which she successfully defended in March 2023, studied the effect of the p63 gene on the acceleration of epithelial cancer. During her time at BU, she has worked under Associate Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology Makoto Senoo and Clinical Assistant Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology Yoshiyuki Mochida, PhD, More

Introducing Our 2023 Commencement Speakers!
With Commencement fast approaching, we would like to take a moment to highlight the four students who have been selected to speak at this year’s Graduate Medical Sciences ceremonies. Three students were chosen to speak at the Master’s Ceremony, and one student was chosen to represent GMS at the MD, PhD & MD/PhD Ceremony. All speakers were nominated by their programs, and finalists were selected by a committee of GMS representatives. Meet each speaker below: Eaba Beyene Masters in... More

MS Student Spotlight: Khoa Duong (HPE ‘23)
Khoa Duong is a student in the Masters in Health Professions Education program at Graduate Medical Sciences. A pulmonary doctor and medical teacher from Vietnam, Duong was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. Khoa attended medical school at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and received a master’s degree in public health from the Universite Paris Sud. Read more about Khoa below! Tell... More

PhD Student Spotlight: Ioanna Yiannakou (Nutrition & Metabolism)
Ioanna Yiannakou is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Medical Sciences doctoral program in the Program in Biomedical Sciences: Nutrition & Metabolism. She graduated from GMS with an MS in Nutrition & Metabolism in 2019. In 2022, Ioanna won first place for Clinical Oral Presentations at Evans Day. Ioanna is also an international student from Cyprus. Read more about her below! Tell me about your journey to Boston. What brought you to the area? Where did... More