Ethan Loew

MD/PhD student, T.H. Chan School of Medicine and Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

“I have met with leading physicians and scientists thanks to support from my thesis advisors and funding opportunities through UMass Chan.”

Ethan Loew came to UMass Chan Medical School as an MD/PhD student in 2018 because of the quality of research happening here.

“On my favorite days, I can meet patients in the hospital or clinic and return to the lab to help understand disease and improve their situation. This cycle is what keeps me going,” Loew said. 

After graduating from Union College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Loew worked as a lab technician at Harvard University for four years, studying the dynamics of cell signaling and cell state transitions during mammalian development.

Now he’s researching the role the gut microbiome plays in Alzheimer’s and age-related diseases with Beth A. McCormick, the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair, vice chair and professor of microbiology & physiological systems and founding director of the Center for Microbiome Research; and John P. Haran, MD, PhD, associate professor of emergency medicine and microbiology & physiological systems and clinical director of the Center for Microbiome Research.

“I have met with leading physicians and scientists both at UMass Chan and at national conferences thanks to support from Dr. McCormick and Dr. Haran and funding opportunities through UMass Chan,” Loew said.  

Loew says the pairing of lab research and clinical care is one of the best aspects of his day-to-day life as an MD/PhD student. 

“My family comes from olive oil farms in Southern Italy and working with my hands has always been in my blood. As a result, I am drawn to specialties like gastroenterology, where I can synergize both clinical reasoning and performing procedures,” Loew said.