What inspired you to pursue your current field of study/research?
I completed my bachelor’s degree in biology at Northeastern. It was my first ever co-op at Affinia Therapeutics that inspired to pursue a master’s degree in biotechnology through the PlusOne program.
Have you participated in any co-op or study-abroad programs? How was that experience?
I have participated in three co-op/internship programs.
My first co-op was at Affinia Therapeutics in Waltham, where I worked on adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies. I worked in the Histopathology department, where I studied the biodistribution of disease markers. I absolutely loved it, and it started my love for the field of pathology.
Maya Kanj ’25, Biotechnology
My second co-op was at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Maine, where I worked as an autopsy technician/Medical Examiner Assistant. I absolutely loved this position, and it was exciting to work in forensic pathology. I assisted in over 50 autopsies and felt immense reward in helping families gain closure regarding the cause of death of their loved ones. This inspired me to apply to medical school to become a forensic pathologist.
My final and current co-op is at Sanofi in Cambridge. I work in the Biomarkers and Clinical Bioanalysis department, where I support clinical trials for lifesaving medications and help assess the efficacy of these drugs. I have really enjoyed this experience, and it is safe to say that Northeastern helped me find my niche at the intersection of pathology, biomarkers, and translational medicine.
What kind of extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I am part of ResLife as a Resident Engagement Assistant (REA) on campus, which I have been doing for technically 11 semesters now! I also founded and am the president of the Graduate Student Fitness Club, a club designed to bring together and educate grad students on weightlifting, cardio, nutrition, and mental wellness. Outside of these things, I love volunteering in my free time. I volunteer for Mass General Hospital in the Emergency Department, for Red Cross to transport blood to hospitals, and for Ethos, an organization at which I visit lonely elderly clients and provide company and comfort! To de-stress, I enjoy cooking, reading, and weightlifting/bodybuilding, which I have been doing for two years now.
What has been the highlight of your experience in COS so far?
The highlight of my experience in COS has been being able to meet such amazing, like-minded, driven peers. I am so passionate about science, so having other people to “geek out” with is a blessing!
Have you had any professors or mentors who really made an impact on you?
Every professor I have had has made a TREMENDOUS impact on me, and it is safe to say I was very close and engaged with all of them. Dr. Anne Van de Ven and Dr. Nikolaos Soukos made the last semester of my program especially memorable. Dr. Van de Ven fostered my love for Nanomedicine and inspired me to declare a Graduate Certificate in Nanomedicine, while Dr. Soukos’s Medical Microbiology class truly changed my life and fostered my love for pathology, the process of medical diagnosis, anatomy, and medicine as a whole.
The person who has impacted me most is Dr. Andreia Ionescu, with whom I have been working in the lab for over three years now. Dr. Ionescu is a wonderful, brilliant PI and individual who has given me opportunities and skills that paved the way for the co-ops I landed. Without Dr. Ionescu and the members of the Ionescu Lab, I would not be the sharp scientist that I am today. The welcoming, lively, and ambitious environment of our lab truly set me up for success, and I will deeply miss being a part of this team.
Where do you see your field of study/research taking you?
My next step is to apply to medical school and specialize in forensic pathology. My love for the autopsy suite has not faded after all these years, so I hope I can be the Medical Examiner directing those autopsies someday. I would also really love to teach at the same time as being a doctor. I would love to come back to Northeastern someday to lecture some classes in my free time, since I am a Double Husky after all, and will always keep that Husky pride!
What kind of impact do you hope to make after you leave Northeastern?
After I leave Northeastern, I hope I can leave my unique perspective everywhere I go. My experience in autopsy had me in the face of death for a long time, which really taught me to cherish every day on this earth and to cherish my loved ones.
My experience in biotech has taught me that disease does not discriminate, so it is important to take care of yourself, know your risk factors, and do what is in your power to live a healthy life. My passion for science appears everywhere I go, simply because there is science in everything.
I hope that I can channel this passion to save people from life-threatening diseases, get closure in autopsies for families affected by these diseases, and educate others on the importance of staying healthy, active, and appreciative of every opportunity we have. Every day is a new day to live and a new start, and I hope that I can touch people with this perspective.
What advice would you give students interested in pursuing a degree in science?
To anyone interested in pursuing science, I truly think you are in the right place. You will hear a lot about job security and good pay, which is generally true, but the true value is the knowledge itself that you will possess. My education changed my life. Science itself is such a rewarding field to be in – you gain knowledge that allows you to understand YOUR body, others’ bodies, and the natural world/phenomena around you.
Studying science has taught me so much about health in general, which is why I have become so passionate about weightlifting to keep healthy and about pursuing medicine to fight disease. My experiences have put me at the intersection of life and death, and it really makes you address the bigger questions in life and become incredibly well-rounded and developed as a human being. If you pursue science, just know you are heading in a difficult direction, but it will help you unlock your true, full potential and purpose.
