For Dillon Nishigaya, a biology major with a minor in health sciences entrepreneurship from San Jose, California, being selected as the College of Science student speaker is more than just an honor.
“I am incredibly honored to be selected as the COS student speaker,” Nishigaya says. “I am very proud to represent the College of Science, and this will definitely be a highlight of my undergraduate experience.”
Growth Through Mentorship and Friendship
When reflecting on his growth at Northeastern, Nishigaya emphasizes the importance of relationships and expanding his horizons.
“I have grown in a multitude of ways during my time at Northeastern,” he explains. “I have had the opportunity to learn from some outstanding mentors and faculty at the university. I have also made some incredible friendships that I will cherish throughout my life.”
“I will greatly miss all of the amazing people and mentors that helped me along my journey,” he reflects. This appreciation for the human connections forged during his college years speaks to the supportive environment he found at Northeastern.
Perhaps most significantly, Nishigaya learned to embrace ambition.
Global Experiences and Lifelong Memories
Nishigaya’s Northeastern journey began with the N.U.in Program in Thessaloniki, Greece, setting the tone for a college career defined by global exploration and scientific discovery.
His co-op and internship experiences took him across the country and around the world. At Sana Biotechnology in South San Francisco, CA he developed novel allogeneic CAR-T cell therapies. Multiple collaborations with NASA brought him to the Ames Research Center, where he contributed to space biology research and mentored research associates through the Space Life Sciences Training Program.
Nishigaya’s NASA work continued with the Rodent Research-20 mission in Sarasota, Florida, conducting dissections on model organisms sent to space, and at NASA’s National Space Radiation Laboratory in Long Island, New York, focusing on oxidative stress and immune dysregulation.
His scientific pursuits extended to Harvard’s Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, where he conducted stem cell research, and Boston Children’s Hospital, completing observerships in vascular anomalies and pediatric dermatology.
Even his entrepreneurial interests took him abroad, interning with Stoelzle Glass Group in Vienna, Austria, where he focused on global business development.
“I have been able to travel all around the world, excel at my work experiences, and make lifelong memories with my friends,” he shares. This combination of global exploration, professional development, and personal connections has shaped his college experience.
Looking Forward While Appreciating the Present
With medical school applications on the horizon after graduation, Nishigaya takes a moment to share advice with incoming students that reveals his perspective on the college experience.
“I would tell my first-year self to enjoy every single moment and experience as much as possible,” he advises, emphasizing the importance of being present during these formative years.
When asked to describe his graduating class in three words, Nishigaya chose: innovative, inspiring, and dedicated—qualities that have clearly defined both his classmates and his own approach to his Northeastern journey.
