{"id":107003,"date":"2026-03-13T12:00:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T16:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?p=107003"},"modified":"2026-03-13T13:56:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T17:56:51","slug":"gms-student-spotlight-jennifer-abovich-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/2026\/03\/13\/gms-student-spotlight-jennifer-abovich-26\/","title":{"rendered":"GMS Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Abovich, \u201825"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Jennifer Abovich is an August 2025 graduate of the Master of Science in Clinical Research program at Graduate Medical Sciences. Jennifer works at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where she focuses on oncology early access programs providing investigational treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. Her time in the MSCR program provided her with additional training to pursue her long-term goal of <\/em>advancing oncology clinical research and improving access to innovative therapies for patients around the world. Learn more about Jennifer below!<\/em><\/p>\n

Tell me a bit about your journey to Boston. What brought you to Boston University?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I grew up in Florida and first came to Boston for a college summer internship in 2014 and fell in love with the city. After graduating from Emory University in 2015, I moved to Boston to work at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Multiple Myeloma Program. That experience was transformative, as it exposed me to the profound impact clinical trials can have on patients\u2019 lives and solidified my commitment to oncology clinical research. I then transitioned into industry and now work at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where I focus on oncology early access programs that provide investigational treatments to patients with unmet medical needs.<\/p>\n

As my responsibilities grew, I wanted to deepen my formal training in clinical research methodology, regulatory strategy, and study design. Boston University\u2019s MS in Clinical Research program stood out for its rigorous curriculum, outstanding faculty, and strong connection to both academic and industry clinical research. Staying in Boston while pursuing my degree at BU allowed me to continue contributing to the clinical research community while advancing my education.<\/p>\n

What drew you to your program at BU? (Why did you apply?)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I was drawn to BU\u2019s MS in Clinical Research program because of its comprehensive curriculum and its focus on equipping students with the practical and methodological skills needed to lead clinical research. Having worked in both academic and industry settings, I understood how critical study design, regulatory strategy, and data interpretation are to bringing therapies to patients. The program\u2019s courses, particularly those focused on clinical study design and research methodology, aligned perfectly with my goal of becoming a more strategic leader in oncology clinical research.<\/p>\n

I was also excited about the opportunity to learn from faculty with diverse experience across academia, regulatory agencies, and industry. Additionally, hearing firsthand from a colleague who had completed the program and spoke highly of its impact on her career further confirmed that BU was the right fit for me.<\/p>\n

Did you always know you wanted to work in this field?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

My interest in clinical research developed through both personal and professional experiences. My grandmother was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and was treated with ibrutinib shortly after it was FDA-approved. That experience showed me firsthand how clinical research leads to life-changing therapies and gave me a deep appreciation for the patients and researchers who make those advancements possible.<\/p>\n

Professionally, my early work at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reinforced this passion. Working closely with patients, physicians, and research teams gave me insight into the complexity and importance of clinical trials. Seeing both the challenges patients face and the hope that innovative therapies provide motivated me to pursue a career dedicated to advancing oncology research.<\/p>\n

Can you tell me about some of the work and\/or research you have completed in your program?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

During my time in the MS in Clinical Research program, I strengthened my understanding of clinical study design, statistical interpretation, and regulatory considerations that underpin high-quality clinical research. The coursework allowed me to critically evaluate clinical trial protocols, understand sources of bias, and apply methodological principles to real-world research scenarios. I was able to directly apply what I learned to my professional work in oncology expanded access programs, where we collect real-world data and help provide investigational therapies to patients who otherwise may not have treatment options. The program helped me better understand how data generated from clinical trials and expanded access programs can contribute to regulatory decisions and ultimately improve patient care.<\/p>\n

How does your work in the program fit into your larger goals in your field?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

My long-term goal is to continue advancing oncology clinical research and improving access to innovative therapies for patients around the world. The MSCR program has provided me with the formal training and methodological foundation needed to contribute more strategically to clinical development and patient access initiatives.<\/p>\n

Through my work at Takeda, I help operationalize early access programs that provide investigational treatments to patients with urgent unmet needs, and the training I received at BU only strengthened my skills in this area. Ultimately, I hope to continue contributing to the development and accessibility of therapies that can meaningfully improve patients\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n

What have been some of your favorite memories during your time here?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One of my favorite aspects of the program was learning alongside classmates with diverse backgrounds across academia, healthcare, and industry. These discussions enriched my perspective and allowed me to learn from others\u2019 experiences in different areas of clinical research.<\/p>\n

I also valued the opportunity to immediately apply what I was learning in the classroom to my work. Being able to connect academic concepts to real-world clinical research challenges made the experience especially meaningful. Completing the program while working full-time was challenging, but incredibly rewarding.<\/p>\n

Are there any mentors who have helped you with getting to this point?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I\u2019ve been fortunate to have mentors throughout my career who have supported my growth. Firstly, my immediate family, including my parents and siblings, helped motivate me to pursue my career path. At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the physicians, nurses, and pharmacists I worked with helped me build a strong foundation in clinical research and taught me the importance of patient-centered research. At Takeda, my direct managers and other colleagues are my mentors who encouraged me to take on leadership opportunities and pursue further education. Their guidance and support played an important role in my decision to pursue the MSCR program and continue developing as a clinical research professional.<\/p>\n

What advice would you give to a GMS student following a similar path?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I would encourage students to stay curious and seek opportunities to learn from different perspectives within clinical research. Whether in academia, industry, or clinical settings, each experience provides valuable insights into how therapies are developed and delivered to patients.<\/p>\n

I would also recommend building strong relationships with mentors and peers, as these connections can provide guidance, support, and new opportunities. Finally, remember the impact of your work, that clinical research ultimately exists to improve patients\u2019 lives, and keeping that purpose in mind can be incredibly motivating.<\/p>\n

What do you like to do around Boston for fun?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Boston is an incredible city, and I\u2019ve really enjoyed exploring the neighborhoods, restaurants, and waterfront. I live nearby in Somerville and recently adopted a dog (her name is Darcy, a Corgi mix), so I\u2019ve been enjoying exploring the neighborhood on walks and discovering new parks. Also, I lived in the North End for many years, so it will probably always be my favorite neighborhood. I may be a bit biased, but I love its history, character, and incredible Italian restaurants. I\u2019m also very grateful that my sisters live nearby, so I enjoy spending time with them and getting together with friends. Boston has such a strong sense of community, and I really appreciate being close to family while living in such a vibrant city.<\/p>\n

Is there anything else you\u2019d like to share?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I\u2019m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the BU GMS community. The MSCR program has strengthened my knowledge, expanded my perspective, and helped me grow both professionally and personally. Clinical research is deeply meaningful to me, and I\u2019m motivated by the opportunity to contribute to the development and accessibility of new therapies. I\u2019m proud to be part of a community dedicated to advancing science and improving patient care.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jennifer Abovich is an August 2025 graduate of the Master of Science in Clinical Research program at Graduate Medical Sciences. Jennifer works at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where she focuses on oncology early access programs providing investigational treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. Her time in the MSCR program provided her with additional training to pursue […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20706,"featured_media":107004,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[54,7074,1534],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107003"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20706"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=107003"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107003\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":107020,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107003\/revisions\/107020"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/107004"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=107003"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=107003"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=107003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}