Roman Loonis, MD/PhD

BUCASM MD/PhD Class of 2019

Attending Neurologist at the Jamaica Plain Veterans Affairs Hospital

Associate Medical Director at Takeda

A Career Built on Curiosity and Flexibility

Roman Loonis’ journey from Boston University School of Medicine to his current leadership role in neurodegenerative drug development at Takeda is a testament to curiosity and adaptability. “Keeping an open mind about different career trajectories is critical,” Roman reflects. “If there’s any doubt, it never hurts to try something.” His willingness to explore new paths—from academia to clinical care to industry—has shaped a career that blends science, medicine, and innovation.

The Foundation at BU and BMC

Roman credits BU and Boston Medical Center for instilling values that continue to guide him. “BMC is dear to the heart. It serves underserved populations, really sees a variety of cases that no one else sees because it’s underserved and does a lot with little,” he says. That experience taught him the importance of equity in healthcare—a principle he now applies to clinical trial design: “It’s an important part of clinical trial design to reflect the diverse populations that are out there.”

Academic Rigor and Freedom

Roman’s PhD years in the Anatomy and Neurobiology Department were equally formative. “One really allowing and encouraging me to follow what I wanted to do… I never felt like a restriction,” he recalls. That flexibility led him to pursue research at MIT while maintaining strong ties to BU’s rigorous neuroscience curriculum. “There was a good academic rigor that I really appreciated,” he says, citing experiences like prosecting in the anatomy lab—where he not only deepened his understanding of neuroanatomy but also met his future wife while prosecting a human brain.

Translating Science into Impact

Today, Roman leads global clinical programs at Takeda, including trials for multiple system atrophy and partnerships in Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia. “The MD’s role is really multifaceted in industry,” he explains. “You get to be involved in exciting discussions about targets, preclinical models, and how to translate them into trials.” His passion lies in neuroinflammation research, where he is helping advance first-in-human studies. “At the end of the day, the outcome isn’t theoretical—it’s potentially a drug for a patient.”

Lessons from the Underserved

Roman emphasizes that his time at BMC shaped his perspective on patient care and research. “You can have the perfect medical plan, but if the patient can’t follow it, it’s useless,” he says. That insight informs his work in industry, where he advocates for inclusive trial designs and collaborations that reflect real-world diversity. “BMC taught me to care about the underserved—and that’s something I carry forward.” Roman teaches neurology residents and students in his epilepsy clinic every Friday in the Jamaica Plain VA Hospital as part of his commitment to patient care “and to stay current”.

Advice for Future Physician-Scientists

Roman’s advice to students is simple yet profound: “Don’t get stuck. Be willing to change, even if it means renouncing what you’ve done in the past.” He acknowledges the anxiety that comes with change, sharing candidly: “I never had imposter syndrome in medicine, but I felt it when I joined industry. You get over it. No one expects you to be an expert immediately.” His story is a powerful reminder that flexibility, resilience, and a commitment to equity can open doors to unexpected and rewarding opportunities in science, medicine, and industry.

From Curiosity to Career

When Allison Tipton first stepped into a research lab as an undergraduate, she wasn’t sure what to expect. “I wanted a way to make a tangible difference in the field of eating disorders,” she recalls. That summer of full-time research changed everything. “Looking back, as a naturally curious person who’s always loved science, it shouldn’t have been surprising that I would thrive on the opportunity to explore unanswered questions.” Those early experiences led Allison to pursue an MD-PhD, blending her passion for discovery with patient care.

A Vision for the Future
Throughout her eight years at BU, Allison’s commitment to mental health and eating disorders never wavered. “In an ideal world, I’d be at an academic institute with an inpatient and outpatient eating disorder treatment center—seeing patients regularly while collaborating on research that bridges basic science and clinical care.” Her approach emphasizes listening to patients and integrating their experiences into research: “There is actually something there, and there might be areas for intervention.”

Lessons from BMC
Working at Boston Medical Center gave Allison a deeper understanding of healthcare delivery. “I’ve become aware that there are a lot of system-level issues that impact our ability to deliver quality care,” she explains. While excited about biomedical advances, she stresses the need for implementation research and equitable access. “Many patients, especially at a safety-net hospital like BMC, aren’t benefiting from the tremendous progress in medicine because of social determinants of health or difficulties with access.” As she heads to her PSTP psychiatry residency, Allison carries forward BU’s mission of improving care for vulnerable populations.

Why BU? A Culture of Collaboration
Eric Bressler chose BU’s MD-PhD program for its unique environment. “The Boston research and translational environment is basically unmatched,” he says. “People are constantly collaborating, spinning out new projects, and trying to translate them.” BU’s Biomedical Engineering program and the mission-driven care at Boston Medical Center sealed the deal. “BMC is really special. Everyone there is walking the walk when it comes to caring for the underserved. That’s something I’ll take with me my whole career.”

An Unexpected Turn Toward Surgery
Eric entered the program convinced he would pursue hematology-oncology, but clinical rotations changed everything. “I loved surgery—the camaraderie, the skill-building, the impact on patients,” he says. Initially, he worried that combining surgery with research was impossible, but mentors like Dr. Coulson showed him a blueprint for success. “You’re going to work extremely hard, but it’s possible,” Eric recalls. That guidance gave him the confidence to follow his passion for surgical oncology while continuing his research ambitions.

Advice for Future Physician-Scientists
Eric’s advice is clear: “Mentorship is everything. The mentors you choose will define your opportunities and growth.” He also stresses flexibility: “You don’t necessarily know what direction you’ll go, so choose projects that can fit into different buckets.” And one practical tip? Publish early. “Your big paper will take forever. Find something useful for the field that you can publish early—it’s a stepping stone.” His insights reflect the resilience and adaptability that have marked his journey from BU to the next chapter in his career at a PSTSP surgical residency training program.

Discovering the MD-PhD Path
Neelou Etesami’s journey to BU began with an unexpected realization. “I started out focused on public health, but I found myself drawn to the science behind it,” she recalls. After switching to biology and falling in love with research, something still felt missing. “I loved the lab, but I missed human interaction.” A mentor suggested the MD-PhD route—a concept she initially dismissed. But after working as a scribe and volunteering in the ICU, Neelou discovered her passion for medicine. “I realized I’d been ignoring a calling,” she says. BU’s sense of collegiality and its mission at Boston Medical Center sealed her decision.

Overcoming Challenges Through Community
One of Neelou’s most difficult moments came after passing her qualifying exams when she made the difficult decision to switch PhD mentors. “It was intimidating to consider starting over— I nearly even decided to quit altogether,” she admits. What changed everything was the outpouring of support from peers and faculty. “People I barely knew reached out to share their stories and offer help. It spoke to the incredible student culture at BU.” Despite the added challenge of COVID lockdowns, Neelou found a new lab and regained her motivation. “I felt proud to be part of the physician-scientist community during such a difficult time.”

Reflections on the Road Ahead
Looking back, Neelou sees the length of training as the greatest challenge for physician-scientists. “When I was 23, eight or nine years sounded fine. Now I realize how long that is—not just professionally, but personally,” she says. Still, she emphasizes the rewards: “It’s always fresh and new—you’re never just slogging along.” As she heads to California for internal medicine residency, Neelou carries forward the mission that shaped her at BU: caring for underserved populations and building community into her internal medicine training program.

Discovering the MD-PhD Path
Jarrod Moore’s decision to pursue a dual degree began with a chance conversation. “I didn’t even know the MD-PhD track existed until I sat down with Chino (a former BU MD/PhD Alum) for 30 minutes,” he recalls. That meeting changed my mind. “I was always unsatisfied with just memorizing information—I wanted to know where knowledge comes from.” The MD-PhD program offered the perfect balance: “Medicine gives you the human connection, and research lets you dig deeper.”

Advice for Future Physician-Scientists
Jarrod’s advice is rooted in experience: “Be true to yourself and trust that the path isn’t linear.” He remembers starting the program with imposter syndrome. “I thought, was it a fluke they accepted me?” His message to new students: “Take your time, trust that everyone else is as afraid as you are, and surround yourself with people who believe in you.” Mentorship, he says, is critical: “It crushes imposter syndrome and opens doors.”

A Dream Fulfilled: Heading to LA
Jarrod’s reaction to his residency placement was emotional. “It was overwhelming—I cried,” he admits. For years, he dreamed of moving to Los Angeles for internal medicine residency training, both professionally and personally. “My brother lives there, and my partner has waited seven years to move to LA.” After 12 years in Boston, Jarrod is ready for a new challenge. “I’m excited to be pushed in different ways and accumulate new experiences. This is exactly what I wanted.”

From Stem Cells to Cancer Biology
Sean Corcoran’s path to internal medicine and hematology-oncology in a PTSP program began with early research experiences in high school and college. Initially drawn to neurology, his trajectory changed after taking a biology class. “It opened up the whole world of cancer biology to me,” he recalls. Clinical rotations at Boston Medical Center solidified his choice. “When I spoke with oncology patients, the entire world got smaller—every word mattered.”

Lessons from Transitions
Sean identifies transitions as the greatest challenge during his training. “The first six months of anything new are hard,” he says. From learning how to study in medical school to adapting to new labs during his PhD—including a move to England (for the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program)—Sean faced repeated hurdles. “Everything I was doing was failing at first, but I realized failure is part of the process.” His takeaway? “Fear is the mind killer. If you let fear drive your decisions, you won’t grow.”

Advocating for Physician-Scientists
Looking ahead, Sean sees a pressing challenge: sustaining support for physician- scientists. “Our profession is actively under attack because people don’t understand what we do,” he warns. From public misconceptions to proposed NIH budget cuts, Sean emphasizes the need for advocacy. “Without connecting research to medicine, there won’t be new treatments. Oncology is a field built on hope—if we stop funding research, we lose that hope.” Sean takes this focused perspective with him to his residency training program in internal medicine.

Why Keith Chose the MD-PhD Path
During his time at BU Medical Center, alumnus Keith Gagnon discovered the unique power of combining medicine with research. His journey began with a childhood experience that left a lasting impression. “My dad had a heart attack when I was in fourth grade, and seeing him recover so quickly after being critically ill was incredible,” he recalls. That moment sparked his desire to become a doctor. Research entered the picture later, during college, when Keith discovered the thrill of pushing the boundaries of knowledge. “I loved being on the fringes of what’s known and moving knowledge forward,” he says. “Seeing patients who don’t have answers, finding those answers in the lab, and bringing them back to the bedside.” He credits BU’s physicianscientist mentors for showing him that this vision is not only possible but deeply rewarding.

Finding His Calling in Surgery
Keith’s decision to pursue surgery was shaped by a lifetime of working with his hands. “I grew up tinkering with my dad—fixing cars, soldering circuit boards, building things,” he explains. That hands-on mentality carried through his PhD work and ultimately drew him to the operating room. “I love that surgery offers immediate impact. You go in, solve a problem, and see the results right away.” Role models like Dr. Brinckerhoff reinforced his choice: “He’s one of the nicest human beings I’ve met and thinks about his patients nonstop.”

Lessons from BU
Training at Boston Medical Center transformed Keith’s view of medicine. “I didn’t realize BU had such a strong social mission,” he admits. Working with underserved patients taught him that the best medical plan isn’t always the most advanced—it’s the one a patient can follow. “If someone can’t afford a $20,000 drug or store medication because they’re homeless, you have to adapt,” he says. BU’s emphasis on patient-centered care will shape Keith’s next chapter while training at a PSTP surgical residency and how he practices wherever he goes.