Please join us in offering our most sincere congratulations to the BMB Class of 2023! Commencement is happening on June 4th at 10:30am ET. We are so proud of this year’s graduates, and we will miss them greatly! We at the BMB wish you all the luck and happiness in the world as you continue on in your careers and lives.
As part of our department’s celebrations of these newly-minted PhD’s, we interviewed each graduate about their experience in graduate school and what they have coming up next. Check it out!
Dr. Emily Agnello smiling while pipetting.
Emily Agnello, PhD
Kelch Lab
“Structure and Assembly of a Thermophilic Bacteriophage”
Twitter: @AgnelloEmily
Is there any research that didn’t make it into your dissertation that you’d like to give a shoutout to?
Most of the work from my first two years didn't make it in, but that's probably for the best... Everything that mattered made it in!
How do you feel now that you’ve defended and you’re graduating soon?
I feel proud of myself for this accomplishment, but bittersweet that I'll be leaving the place I've called home for the past 5 years.
What advice would you give to your 1st year grad student self?
Trust in the process. Imposter syndrome is real but you deserve to be here! Also working weekends is rarely worth it. Of course, there will have to be some late evenings to finish up an experiment, and sometimes it's worth it to get something started for the next day, but efficiency is far more important than how much time you spend in lab. Finally, get involved early and often! Joining student government or extracurriculars is a great way to feel more connected to the community and also teaches you how to be a better advocate for yourself.
The question I’m sure you’re tired of hearing – what’s next for you? If your plans aren’t set in stone, what is your dream scenario for what’s next?
Next week I'll be starting a new job as a Scientist at Dana Farber's Center for Protein Degradation in Boston! I'll be establishing the cryo-EM efforts for the center in collaboration with Harvard's Cryo-EM core.
Any acknowledgments?
Brian Kelch, my entire lab past and present, and the faculty that have supported me over the years! Especially Francesca Massi, Celia Schiffer, Bill Royer, Andrei Korostelev, and Nikolaus Grigorieff.
Dr. Kaili Fan looking really happy and excited while looking at -omics data on her computers.
Kaili Fan, PhD
Weng Lab
“Leveraging Multi-Omic Data to Characterize Cis-Regulatory Elements and Investigate their Roles in Gene Regulation”
Twitter: @Kaili_Fan
Is there any research that didn’t make it into your dissertation that you’d like to give a shoutout to?
In addition to placing significant emphasis on characterizing cis-regulatory elements in my dissertation, my PhD research also involved studying the dynamic utilization of polyadenylation during epidermal differentiation.
How do you feel now that you’ve defended and you’re graduating soon?
Just as I stated in my defense's closing remarks, graduation does not mark the conclusion but rather the commencement of a new journey. The path of research is undoubtedly arduous, but I am prepared to embrace all the challenges it brings and continue to persevere.
What advice would you give to your 1st-year grad student self?
Take your time and savor the valuable period of your research journey.
The Ph.D. journey holds immeasurable value since it grants you the opportunity to focus primarily on your research without worrying about the future, funding, or personal matters. So, please don't waste your time speculating about life after graduation, even though it usually improves. Instead, proactively pursue the research that deeply interests you and maintain your dedication to it.
The question I’m sure you’re tired of hearing – what’s next for you? If your plans aren’t set in stone, what is your dream scenario for what’s next?
I am currently engaged in research as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, aiming to enhance my capabilities and eventually establish myself as an independent researcher.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Difficulties are inevitable in your Ph.D. research and in the course of your life journey. But fret not, tackle them bravely, and you will certainly emerge victorious. As you look back, you will find that everything carries a sweet flavor.
Any acknowledgments?
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Zhiping Weng, for providing me with exceptional guidance throughout the past five years. I am immensely grateful to her for enabling me to have a truly fulfilling experience dedicated solely to the research that I am passionate about. Her support has been instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today, as I have wholeheartedly invested my efforts in honing my skills and scientific reasoning. Without her support, I would not have achieved what I have accomplished.
Dr. Mike Feyder's LinkedIn profile picture.
Michael Feyder, PhD
Munson Lab
“Characterization of Sec3 and its Conformation Within the Exocyst Complex”
Unfortunately, we were not able to reach Dr. Feyder for comments. According to his LinkedIn page, he is now a Scientist at Mersana Therapeutics working on bioconjugates.
Dr. Xingchen Liu modeling safe science habits by wearing a lab coat in the lab.
Xingchen Liu, PhD
Kelch Lab
“Mechanism of Sliding Clamp Loading During DNA Replication and Repair in Atomic Detail”
Twitter: @Xingchen_Liu_
Is there any research that didn’t make it into your dissertation that you’d like to give a shoutout to?
I covered almost everything I did in my dissertation, even preliminary data for some ongoing projects in the lab, such as the dynamics of the clamp loading reaction, interaction of clamp loader with its partners and the mechanism of clamp loader’s DNA melting activity. I’m looking forward to hearing about new results that follow up on that.
How do you feel now that you’ve defended and you’re graduating soon?
I feel excited that I have successfully defended and am graduating soon but also a bit sad about leaving a place where I met many great people.
What advice would you give to your 1styear grad student self?
Trust yourself, be yourself, try new things, and don’t stress out too much.
The question I’m sure you’re tired of hearing – what’s next for you? If your plans aren’t set in stone, what is your dream scenario for what’s next?
I have decided to move back to China and continue doing research as a postdoc.
Any acknowledgements?
Thanks to everyone in the Kelch lab, especially my advisor Brian Kelch and our former postdoc Christl Gaubitz for helpful guidance and a fun environment. Thanks to my family and friends for always supporting me.
Dr. Brian Kelch (left) with Dr. Joe Magrino (right) at Dr. Magrino's thesis defense celebration.
Joe Magrino, PhD
Kelch Lab
“Mechanistic Role of the Sliding Clamp in Genome Stability and Disease”
Twitter: @JoeMagrino0528
Is there any research that didn’t make it into your dissertation that you’d like to give a shoutout to?
Nope.
How do you feel now that you’ve defended and you’re graduating soon?
It feels really exciting and refreshing to be done! I am excited to join the world of biotech and push forward with the education received at UMASS Chan.
What advice would you give to your 1styear grad student self?
Hold onto that first-year feeling! Grad school is hard and you will experience challenges. Always remember how excited you were to enter grad school. Also, make sure to network and know your neighbors! You never know who will have the answer you were looking for on your work.
The question I’m sure you’re tired of hearing – what’s next for you? If your plans aren’t set in stone, what is your dream scenario for what’s next?
I have officially accepted a position in Biotech!
Any acknowledgements?
Thank you to the entire BMB department! This has been one of the best departments to be part of for 6 years. Everyone just acted like an extended family. I would like to specific thank the Schiffer, Royer, and Cantor labs for all their support with experiments. I would like to thank my committee members: Nick Rhind, Sharon Cantor, Craig Peterson, Bill Royer. I would like to thank my mentor Brian Kelch for always being a supportive mentor and pushing me forward. I would like to thank the entire Kelch lab for always acting like family and dealing with all my shenanigans. Finally, I would like to thank my family for always supporting me! Specifically my parents who have always been my biggest support system!
Dr. Neha Samant's LinkedIn profile picture.
Neha Samant, PhD
Bolon Lab
“Sequence Dependencies & Biophysical Features Both Govern Cleavage of Diverse Cut-Sites by HIV-1 Protease”
Twitter: @NehaSSamant
Unfortunately, we were not able to reach Dr. Samant for comments. According to her LinkedIn page, she is continuing her work in the Bolon Lab as a postdoc.
