Moments

In the Deighan lab, Astrid Esperanza Noriega '26 is researching how within E. coli bacteria, proteins are engineered to be exported outside the cells. Proteins that aggregate can be visualized on agar plates, or using microscopy techniques. The research contributes to the molecular understanding of how proteins fold, or mis-fold, with ramifications for many human diseases.
"This summer, I learned a lot about myself with independence and troubleshooting. I've learned the importance of collaboration and being adaptable in situations where the research may not be going well. [And] I had the opportunity to present my research in front of staff members," Noriega said.

Using yeast and bacteria as model systems, the Kuehner lab studies cellular stop signals to understand and control the DNA traffic underlying gene expression. Students in the Kuehner lab, Catalina Lujan-Rodriguez '26 (pictured), Lane Couturier '26 and Max Popoloski '26 use molecular modeling of biological molecules like protein and RNA to better understand the chemical interactions that support their function in normal cells or prevent their function in abnormal cells.

Students from the Cabrera lab (from left to right: Jillian Feyler '27, Aaliyah Martinez-Ulloa '26, Arthur Langford '25 and Cynthia Brito '25) observe fruit fly ovaries using the Keyence microscope. The Cabrera lab studies how developmental genes are turned on or off to regulate embryonic development using fruit flies as a model organism.

By studying worms (C. elegans) the Karagodsky lab - including Maria La Terza '25 (front) and Aiden McCarty '25 (back) - aims to deepen their understanding of how stress and aging impact the body, potentially identifying drug targets to combat age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Type 2 Diabetes.

Haley Connelly ’19 said there are few cities that beat Boston when it comes to learning medicine. Now in the School of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University in Arizona, she credits her undergraduate experience with helping her come out of her shell.
She said it’s been fun to take all that she’s learned in her academic career and apply it, and she’s constantly adapting her style to do what works best for her. At Emmanuel, Connelly said she appreciated always having someone to answer the many questions that pop up while aspiring towards a medical career.
“Applying to medical school is draining, we all know that! What’s great about the HPAC is that you don’t have to do it alone. They are there for anything and everything,” said Connelly.

Post-graduation, Allison Carroll ’19 went into translational cancer research at MIT, cementing her goal to work in cancer research in the future as well. Carroll went from Boston to Brooklyn for her medical school and is fully immersed at the SUNY Downstate College of Medicine.
What stood out to Carroll in her Emmanuel experience was the small class size, which led to more individualized mentorship: “this level of attention is something not many students have access to, and I cannot express enough how much I appreciate that.”
Her relationships with her professors, like mentors Dr. Karagodsky and Dr. Kuehner are ones that she keeps to this day. “The professors at Emmanuel believed in me and motivated me to try new things and reach for new opportunities. Their guidance helped me achieve my goal,” said Carroll.

Pietra Oelke ’21 has spent the last seven months with the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, where she said she has settled in nicely to a tight-knit community. Upon reflection, Oelke said she recognizes the value of a liberal arts education for those who are pursuing medicine.
“Emmanuel’s strong STEM program equipped me with foundational knowledge that I use and build upon daily. Delving into courses outside of my biology major, like philosophy, exposed me to different perspectives that have been invaluable as I learn to care for others,” said Oelke.
Navigating college and the complex process of becoming a physician was a challenge, Oelke added, but building relationships with Emmanuel faculty like Dr. Seshan was instrumental in her journey: “I attribute much of my success in the medical school application process to the support I received at Emmanuel,” she said, “I felt they [faculty] genuinely cared for me and were rooting for my success.”

Madison Webber ’23, has begun her studies at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, where she said she’s realized just how much potential she and her colleagues have to make a lasting impact on the world around them.
From the minute she started at Emmanuel, Webber got fully immersed in research. Since she got her start so quickly, Webber was able to apply to med school by her junior year, preparing her for the rigor of medical school and setting her apart from others, “which has been invaluable,” she said.
“The faculty of the biology and chemistry departments were instrumental in providing personalized mentorship and support. I was always shown encouragement and genuine interest in my success,” said Webber.

Gabrielle Nuki ’20 graduated from Emmanuel online during the COVID-19 pandemic and took time to work in the medical field before moving on to the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. She worked as a medical scribe for Mass Eye + Ear and Brigham & Women’s Hospital during her time at Emmanuel too, granting herself exposure to “remarkable physicians.”
She also praised the support she received during the application process to medical school. “The HPAC process was honest and helpful in reflecting on what kind of applicant I was. It was able to show me what my strengths were and how to navigate discussing my weaknesses. I think that was critical in making me feel more prepared for the medical school interviews,” said Nuki.

Ashleigh Meyer '20 said starting medical school last summer has been the toughest but most exciting thing she’s done in her life. After a few gap years researching, working and volunteering, she is now studying at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School.
Developing relationships with professors was hugely important in Meyer’s time at Emmanuel. She worked alongside Dr. Seshan, which started with getting to know the latter’s research through office hours and then joining her research team. It culminated in a thesis and publication during Meyer’s senior year. “I strongly believe that the close-knit community of Emmanuel is what allows students to foster mentor relationships that last a lifetime,” said Meyer.
She credited the entire College of Science & Health faculty with fostering a particularly nurturing atmosphere: “I owe so much to the entire department, as it is full of educators who pushed me to reach my fullest potential during college,” Meyer added.

Maggie Loiselle ’20, spent three years at Mass General after graduation doing research on cystic fibrosis and COVID-19 before her acceptance to the University of New England School of Osteopathic Medicine. “The close-knit community at Emmanuel and the encouragement from the professors played a large role in setting me up for success,” said Loiselle.
At Emmanuel, Loiselle said she learned to be as open-minded as possible, which helped her to learn she was interested in a career in both patient care and research. Though the MCAT and application process were time consuming while working full time, she said she always had the Emmanuel faculty to lean on: “the HPAC were supportive, encouraging and very helpful throughout the entire process and I can’t thank them enough for their help.”

Katelyn Hunter ’22 is at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Having always wanted to go to dental school, she said it’s been a surreal experience since she started there last July. The transition was smooth for her, not only because she was able to stay in the Boston area, but because Emmanuel’s Biology program prepared her for it. “I never realized how important small class size was, but it really made a difference being able to connect with all my professors,” said Hunter.
Amongst many other things like tutoring and captaining the Women’s Lacrosse Team for two years, she completed a dental-focused thesis project at Emmanuel, which enhanced her medical school application, she said. “Many applicants complete research but aren’t able to put so much time into it or have flexibility with what they want to work on.”