Alumni Testimonials

Find out what our graduates have to say about the M.S. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Program.

Hasset Yishak (’24) First Year Medical Student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

“Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was so such an amazing experience from having supportive and expert faculty, to the connections made with the students in my cohort, and simply getting the opportunity to delve into exciting scientific research and topics that have real-world implications today – truly made this program so unique and beneficial within my personal and academic growth as a scientist, researcher, and now as an incoming first year medical student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

There are a wide range of courses that students can take that begins with a foundational understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry and eventually branches out into interesting electives such as Gene Silencing, Programmed Cell death, and many others. Since this is an intensive, one year program, these courses really transformed the way I engaged with the material during my studying time and really pushed me to understand and ask questions in order to understand the why rather than just memorize the material. Additionally, a highlight of this program is the hands-on experience that we get to have through our research internship where students join a lab for a semester in order to complete their Master’s Thesis and a Poster Project that we get to present at the end of the semester to faculty, colleagues, and friends! My research within the Rosenthal Lab was focused on further understanding the relationship between the stem cell marker CD133 and the AKT survival pathway in the invasion of melanoma cancer stem cells. Throughout this internship, I not only learned various lab techniques such as conducting western blots, maintaining cell culture, and running invasion assays, but more importantly, how to critically think when running and setting up experiments and then how to properly relay these results in a clear and concise manner. 

Lastly, the faculty within this program are truly supportive and engaged with the students. They emphasized community engagement and as a Senator for my cohort, we were able to organize cultural events, holiday get-togethers, and fun outings like the annual Cherry Blossom Picnic.   I am so grateful for my time at Georgetown and for the friends, faculty, and colleagues I had met all along the way. This experience will be so beneficial as I begin this next journey of medical school and beyond!”

Imaan Nanji (’23) First year Medical Student at University of Virginia School of Medicine

“I earned my undergraduate degree in biology, where I developed a strong interest in understanding human health at the molecular level. While I enjoyed studying biology generally, I realized that I wanted to strengthen my foundation in biochemistry and gain stronger research experience, especially before pursuing a career in medicine. The MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program at Georgetown University stood out to me for its rigorous curriculum, flexible pacing, and excellent opportunities.

The structure of the program allowed me to explore my academic interests while building the skills that would be essential for my future in healthcare and research. Throughout the program, I took in several courses that combined advanced scientific concepts with extensive lab work, which helped me develop both my laboratory skills and analytical thinking. One of the most formative experiences during my time at Georgetown was my internship with Dr. Kasid, where I contributed to research on lung cancer. I enjoyed applying molecular biology techniques to cancer research and deepened my appreciation for translational science. Working with experienced researchers and mentors enhanced my understanding of the scientific process and gave me the preparation I needed for future research roles. I am now an incoming medical student at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. The academic training and research experience I gained at Georgetown have provided me with a solid and versatile foundation as I transition into clinical education and training. I feel especially well-prepared to understand scientific principles of medicine and plan to remain actively involved in research throughout my training and career. I’m excited to expand on what I’ve learned at Georgetown as I pursue a career that combines patient care with scientific discovery and innovation.”

Ifeoma Mba-Madubuike (’24) First-Year Medical Student, Howard University

“As a recent graduate of Georgetown University’s one-year M.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program and a first-year medical student at Howard University, I am excited to share the profound impact this program has had on my journey. The program provided an intensive, yearlong curriculum that exceeded my expectations. It offered a solid foundation in molecular biology and biochemistry, with coursework in molecular medicine, gene editing, and medical toxicology. This foundation has been invaluable as I now study the Molecules and Cells unit in medical school, which builds directly on the knowledge gained from Georgetown’s Fundamentals of Biochemistry.

One of the standout aspects of the program was the research experience. Under the guidance of Dr. Ecelbarger, I worked on a project exploring PTEN’s role in metabolic acidosis-induced insulin resistance, an experience that was both challenging and rewarding. The research component not only honed my technical skills, such as Western blotting and various assay techniques, but also strengthened my critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

The program’s focus on leadership and academic excellence was evident in various initiatives. As Class President, I had the privilege of working closely with my peers and faculty, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. The recognition I received, including the Dean’s Excellence Scholarship and one of the Best Internship Presentation awards, is a testament to the program’s commitment to nurturing and acknowledging its students’ achievements.

Overall, the M.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program has been transformative. I am confident that the skills and knowledge I gained will continue to benefit me as I advance in my medical education and future career. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone passionate about pursuing a career in the biomedical sciences.”

Hung-Jen Wu, Ph.D. (’17) DPhil (PhD) Graduate, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

“My name is Hung-Jen Wu and I’m a 2017 graduate of the M.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program at Georgetown University. Before coming to Georgetown, I studied math and economics as an undergraduate and had planned to become an economist. After taking a cell biology course, I became fascinated with doing wet labs and learning how my computational training can be used to impact global health. I enrolled in Georgetown’s master’s program because it offered graduate-level coursework and research training to students, like me, who had previously studied different disciplines and wanted to have a future career in the biosciences.

While pursuing my graduate coursework, I conducted research in two different labs. For my internship project in Dr. Cynthia Simbulan-Rosenthal’s and Dr. Dean Rosenthal’s lab, I investigated the role of DNA methylation in regulating surface marker expression in melanoma initiating cells. I also published a paper with Dr. Amrita Cheema’s lab, which examined the use of metabolite biomarkers in screening pancreatic cancer patients. While I mainly took courses that aligned with my research in cancer biology, I also took a lab-based fermentation and bioprocessing course which sparked my eventual interest in protein engineering. It felt extremely rewarding for me to learn something new every day and immediately apply that knowledge to my lab work only a few steps away from the lecture hall. Of course, I also forged many rock-solid friendships with my classmates and professors that have lasted to this day.

After graduating from Georgetown, I was able to confidently apply to and receive offers from multiple PhD programs in the U.S. and the U.K.  In the end, I decided to pursue my doctoral studies in a protein engineering lab at the University of Oxford. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I developed a novel virus-like particle platform that will be deployed as part of a betacoronavirus vaccine candidate in a Phase I trial next year. After four years, I successfully defended my thesis and received my DPhil (PhD) in Biochemistry from Oxford. My plan after this is to continue working in research. I’m immensely grateful to this program, especially all the mentors and classmates I’ve had the great fortune of working with, for playing a pivotal role in shaping my career aspirations.”

Nevil Khurana (’19) M.D./Ph.D. Candidate, Wayne State University

“The M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program prepared me well for the demands of an M.D./Ph.D. program. Having been removed from a strict academic environment for some time, when I made the decision to commit to a career as a physician-scientist I began looking for research-intensive masters programs which would prepare me well for the next step. The program at Georgetown fulfilled just that.

From an intensive background in biochemistry and laboratory techniques, as well as the close proximity to not only labs at Georgetown, but the Lombardi Cancer Center, NIH, and other government agencies, the program establishes a high level of scientific proficiency while allowing students the flexibility to pursue research interests in line with their future career goals through the research internship. Personally, I was able to continue my research interests in therapeutics for recalcitrant cancers through a prostate cancer research project in Dr. Banerjee’s laboratory. Furthermore, the electives available through the program offer a degree of breath allowing students to pick up ancillary skills making them more proficient researchers. I was able to develop a degree of expertise in bioinformatics through Dr. V’s course offerings.

Irrespective of the academic and research offerings, what makes the Georgetown difference is the faculty. The professors are dedicated and invested in student success, both at Georgetown and after graduation. I am very glad I chose the program to launch my career as a physician-scientist, cherish the friendships and mentorships that I have formed at Georgetown, and will be leveraging the knowledge, experiences, and skills I developed through the program for many years to come!”

Zoe Malchiodi (’19) PhD graduate in Tumor Biology 2025, Georgetown University Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca

“I joined the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology MS program in Fall 2018, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made! I wanted to enhance my research background to pursue a PhD and this program definitely put me on the right track.

I thought the curriculum had a great blend of required courses and elective offerings which is what initially drew me to apply. There are so many different courses that allowed me to explore what I was interested in while also providing me a deeper dive into research, biochemistry, and lab techniques. I was able to enhance my biochemistry & molecular biology background, but also take electives in tumor biology to further my understanding of cancer and cancer research, which allowed me to feel more confident in pursuing cancer research as a career. 

Despite being a large program, it felt very inclusive as we participated in many events as a program and got to know the faculty and other students really well, which was great to harbor great connections, both personally and professionally. Also, all of the faculty members were always willing to help students in any way they could, which was great in such an intensive program. I definitely learned how to manage my time better, which is an essential skill in any career aside from the scientific knowledge gained in this program.

The most rewarding part of this experience was to do a research internship. I did my project in Dr. Yi’s lab where I worked on a project in pancreatic cancer. This experience was great because I was able to build upon my past research skills, but also learned how to communicate my project efficiently to people during our poster presentations. This experience absolutely helped pave my path to be a PhD student because my current thesis project will be focused on pancreatic cancer. Overall, I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in research or industry!”

Rahim Hirani (’19) M.D./Ph.D. candidate, New York Medical College Researcher fellow, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York

“This Master’s program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Georgetown is one of its kind. A rigorous curriculum, unparalleled research opportunities, collaboration with higher learning institutes and companies, and Georgetown’s commitment to solving significant problems in public health and medicine are a few factors that lured me to this program. Little did I know that I would leave Georgetown with the intent to apply for MD/Ph.D. dual degree programs. After immersing myself in this thoughtfully designed program and research internship, I realized that scientific investigation and clinical practice need not be mutually exclusive quests; I could pursue both elements synergistically.

The program is structured in a way that not only helped me to solidify my theoretical and conceptual knowledge but also challenged me to delve deeper into understanding the significance of the research work. I appreciated the fact that I was applying classroom knowledge in the lab. Alongside academics, I am grateful for the friendships that I have formed. Even though this program was a roller coaster ride, I enjoyed the opportunity to meet people from different countries and learn from new perspectives. 

The knowledge and skills that I acquired, coupled with the strong support of my faculty and mentors at Georgetown, led me to my next journey at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. I look forward to carrying my unique Georgetown experiences to my future endeavors.”

Sylvia Zohrabian (’15) PhD (2025), Weill Cornell Medicine Scientist II, Ochre Bio

“What can I say about my experience at Georgetown? Upon entering the program, I had no idea that 9 months could drastically alter my life. Prior to entering the program, I was unsure whether to pursue my interest in healthcare as a scientific researcher or physician. As a result, I discovered the M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Georgetown, which seemed like an appropriate program to access both avenues through their extensive research available and association with the MedStar hospital system.

During this 9-12 month program, you’re challenged to complete 30 credit requirements and a graduate research study internship. Although this might seem daunting at first, the Georgetown faculty and peers make the workload very feasible. The highlight of my experience was my research study in Dr. Vicente Notario’s laboratory. When I entered Dr. Notario’s office, I discussed my research interest in understanding the expression of metabolites in relation to cancer and my background as a DMPK analyst at GSK. As a result, Dr. Notario and I developed a project connecting my research interests and background with his current work. In addition to being able to collaborate with a mentor to develop a project that suits my research interests, Dr. Notario through his extensive years as a well-respected researcher at Georgetown has established many contacts in various organizations, one of which was Dr. Yamil Simon from the mass spectrometry core at NIST. Dr. Notario’s relationship with Dr. Simon allowed the project to be a dual collaboration between Georgetown University and NIST. As a result, I had the pleasure of utilizing the databases and resources at both the Georgetown campus and NIST. This collaboration between Georgetown and NIST allowed me to experience and compare the academic and government environments.

My experience at Georgetown verified my interest to pursue biomedical research and health advocacy as a profession. Upon graduating, various pharmaceutical companies, biotech companies, and academic institutions pursued me. Due to my previous experience at GlaxoSmithKline, I chose to accept a highly coveted position at Boston Children’s Hospital understanding the role of the Hippo-Yap pathway in cardiomyocyte regeneration, which has resulted in my recent contribution and publication of a developmental cell paper. I’m thoroughly thankful for the opportunities that Georgetown provided me, in particular, my relationship with Dr. Notario and his continued mentorship after completion of the program.”

James O’Brien (’16) M.S. Commerce, UVA School of Commerce; Treasury Manager, Nodal Exchange D.D.S. candidate, NYU Dental School

“I came to the GU Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology as a stepping stone to a career in medicine. After considering several options, I selected the one-year Masters in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology because it provides the perfect education to start a career in medical research or as a foundation for dental or medical school.

The way the program is structured with core courses, electives, and laboratory applications gave me the freedom to tailor my degree to suit my needs. I can honestly say that my Georgetown education is serving me well. I am very grateful to my research advisors, Drs. Cynthia Simbulan-Rosenthal and Dean Rosenthal, who supported and mentored me. During my spring semester internship, I learned so much from them as they performed original research to develop novel treatments for cancer by attempting to improve immune system recognition of malignant melanoma cells. The research currently being performed at Georgetown is changing the way that the medical community approaches cancer treatment and I am proud to have been able to see this first hand as a graduate student intern.

At our department graduation, Department Chair Dr. Elliott Crooke, stated in his speech that “Biochemistry is the backbone of medicine.” I have found this to be very true. After completing my Masters at Georgetown, I was accepted to the New York University College of Dentistry. This was a dream come true for me. In my first year of dental school, the curriculum has included classes ranging from histology to neuroscience to gross anatomy – all of which require a fundamental understanding of biochemistry.

The knowledge that I gained at Georgetown has enabled me to succeed in these courses and others with confidence. I look back with fond memories of my time at Georgetown. The curriculum was challenging but the friendships and camaraderie among the graduate students helped us get through it. During my brief time in DC, I made friends with students from all over the world and I look forward to hearing of the great things they accomplish in their careers.”

Rima Nakrani, M.D. (’15) Internal Medicine Specialist, Temple University Hospital MD Graduate, Wayne State University

“My experience in the MS Biochemistry program has been nothing short of excellent. At first, I was extremely nervous and hesitant to enroll in such an intense, rigorous, and challenging master’s program but my uncertainty quickly transformed into utmost gratitude and satisfaction.

With each lab, exam, and course, I felt more empowered, knowledgeable, and successful. The structure of the program is such that students become experts in the field of biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology and at the same time are given the opportunity to polish their research skills and gain vital laboratory experience. Despite having a focus on core concepts, the program was very flexible in allowing me to select electives of my interest, which is where I gained advanced and specialized knowledge on specific topics such as Programmed Cell Death and Carcinogenesis.

My most memorable experience is definitely a research internship. I gained extensive research skills and laboratory experience, and can proudly claim to be more adept in the realm of Carcinogenesis, specifically, Breast Cancer. In addition to the excellent curriculum, the heart of the program lies within the esteemed, approachable, friendly, and extremely helpful faculty members. This experience has been paramount in allowing me to form long-lasting relationships with talented faculty members. The faculty truly act as mentors and are always willing to assist students and ensure they are getting the most out of their master’s experience. Most importantly, the MS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program truly prepared me for my professional endeavors.

Prior to applying to medical school, I wanted to reinforce my biomedical background and this program has allowed me to accomplish just that and much more. I am currently a second-year student at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and I can say this from experience, that the knowledge and skills I gained throughout the MS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program truly aided in allowing me to excel in my first two years of medical school, which focused heavily on the Basic Sciences curriculum.

In addition, I am currently applying the research and laboratory skills I gained during the program to my research on Intracardiac Thrombi. Overall, I can without a doubt affirm that my journey in this esteemed program has been very fruitful and joyous. I highly recommend this program to those seeking advanced knowledge in preparation for entry into professional programs!”

Lama Alhawas, Ph.D. (’14) Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, King Saud Abdulaziz University PhD Graduate, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Georgetown University

“I was honored to join the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology in 2013 to pursue an MS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I had a very challenging yet rewarding experience that exceeded my expectations. We were offered a comprehensive learning experience that covered all the theoretical and practical aspects of Biochemistry.

What I really liked the most is that each student was offered the opportunity to tailor their electives towards their area of interest. I tailored my electives towards a cancer biology concentration, and I was privileged to be exposed to the recent trends and findings in cancer research. Attending the Programmed Cell Death course offered by Dr. Rosenthal made me better appreciate the extensive research done on cancer signaling and the intricately intertwined pathways in which tumor cells evade apoptosis. Each student was encouraged to choose their internship positions based on their area of interest. In my internship, I got to greatly explore the fundamentals of cancer research and apply what I learned in Biochemistry classes to the real world. The faculty here helped me not only to reach my potential, but ignited my enthusiasm to dig deeper for knowledge.

They also took all initiatives to guide every student on their career paths. Dr. Rosenthal’s main goal was the success of her students and I was able to see that each time I reached out to her for guidance. The faculty and the environment as a whole are very friendly, welcoming and accepting; I must say that I feel very proud to belong here and look forward to the next coming years.”

Eden Haile (’13) Pediatrician, Inova Health; Pediatric resident, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans M.D. graduate, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

“I received my Masters in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Georgetown University in 2013. Since then, I’ve had doors open for me one after the other. While taking courses at Georgetown, I completed my thesis through research I did at the National Institutes of Health. After graduation, I received an opportunity to work at Medimmune, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca, as a Research & Development Associate II. My work there included testing drug products to facilitate their movement into clinical trials. After working for a couple of years, I was accepted to medical school at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). Now my journey is taking me to LSU at the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans to complete my pediatric residency as a physician. 

If it weren’t for the education I received at Georgetown’s Masters in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program, I don’t think I would have had all those experiences. I’ve seen medicine in its earliest development from learning the science at Georgetown, to pre-clinical research at the NIH, to drug development at Medimmune and finally to prescribing drugs to my future patients as a physician! 

There was such a wide array of electives I could choose from to craft the learning experience I wanted. I took courses taught by physicians about cancers and histology to courses about health disparities in the United States. It is truly remarkable how far this program has taken me and how much I have learned! I genuinely believe the education and support I received from this program not only made me a strong medical school applicant but also a well-rounded future physician. I am thankful for the outstanding faculty and quality of the education that was provided. I also met so many fantastic students who have went on to pursue careers in medicine, education, science, dentistry, and even law. The opportunities after receiving a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Masters from Georgetown University are limitless! I am so thankful I decided to make it part of my story!”