College of Science Archives - Northeastern University College of Science

The following announcement was shared with the Northeastern University community by Tom Sheahan, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, on June 11, 2026.

Mark C. Williams, Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics, has been appointed Dean of the College of Science, effective July 1, 2026.

Mark brings to this role a record that is both impressive in scope and grounded in practice. As Chair of the Physics Department since 2017, he led a remarkable transformation: faculty nearly doubled from 36 to 67, annual grant funding nearly doubled, and the department’s combined financial portfolio grew substantially. Central to that growth was his work with faculty to establish the Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute at Northeastern’s Burlington campus, which attracted new faculty and funding from the Department of Energy and defense agencies.

He also supported the early integration of AI into theoretical physics research, helping secure resources that positioned a Northeastern physics faculty member as a founding principal investigator of the NSF Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Fundamental Interactions. That grant totaled $20 million and was subsequently renewed at $25 million. Under his leadership, the department expanded its faculty in the Network Science Institute and recruited its first member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. That hire anchored the new Center for Theoretical Biological Physics and brought part of an NSF Physics Frontier Center to Northeastern, significantly strengthening the department’s biophysics program.

Mark is also a scholar of considerable standing. As director of the Williams Laboratory for Single Molecule Biophysics, he develops methods to study the behavior of DNA and RNA at the molecular level and how they interact with proteins. This research has direct implications for understanding viral diseases, including HIV. He has received an NSF CAREER Award, was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society, has published more than 120 papers, and earned over 7,500 citations, reflecting both the depth and durability of his research program. He has also personally mentored 17 doctoral students to PhD completion and 30 undergraduate researchers. Mark’s appointment reflects both the strength of the College of Science and the depth of talent within our own community.

From her earliest days at Northeastern University, Susanna Ovsepian was motivated by a desire to make an impact. Now, as a selected undergraduate student speaker for the 2026 College of Science Celebration, she reflects on a journey defined by resilience, balance, and a deep commitment to others.

“Being selected as a COS Undergraduate Student Speaker is incredibly meaningful to me,” Ovsepian says. “It feels like a reflection of not just my own journey, but the people and experiences that shaped me along the way.”

Looking ahead to the ceremony, she sees the moment as an opportunity to represent not only her own experience, but the collective journey of her class.

Growing Through Challenge and Change

Throughout her time at Northeastern, Ovsepian experienced growth both inside and outside the classroom.

“I’ve become more confident in myself, more resilient when things didn’t go as planned, and more certain about the kind of person I want to be,” she says.

Through demanding coursework, co-op experiences, and campus involvement, she developed adaptability and a strong sense of curiosity, qualities that will continue to guide her beyond graduation.

Finding Strength in Balance

Ovsepian points to her ability to manage multiple responsibilities as one of her proudest accomplishments.

Balancing academics, work, volunteering, extracurriculars, friendships, and family commitments was not always easy.

“There were moments when I was not sure how I would manage it all,” she says. “But I am proud that I never let any one part of my life fall away completely.”

That experience reshaped her understanding of success.

“Balance is not about perfection,” she explains. “It is about showing up consistently, even when it is hard.”

A Defining Clinical Experience

One of the most transformative moments of Ovsepian’s journey came during her co-op in interventional radiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

“Stepping into a clinical environment and being trusted to contribute in a meaningful way was both humbling and deeply rewarding,” she says.

Working directly with patients solidified her passion for medicine and pushed her beyond her comfort zone.

“That experience confirmed that I am on the right path,” she adds. “I came out of it more confident and more driven.”

Community and Connection

Many of Ovsepian’s most meaningful experiences were shaped by the communities she found on campus.

She recalls her time as vice president of the Armenian Students’ Association as especially impactful.

“Planning cultural events and celebrating traditions with people who share such an important part of my identity gave me a real sense of home,” she says.

As graduation approaches, it is the people she will miss most.

“My friends, mentors, professors, and patients have all had such a big impact on me,” she says. “That is something I will carry with me long after graduation.”

Continuing a Path in Medicine

After graduation, Ovsepian will be heading to medical school, continuing the path she strengthened during her time at Northeastern.

Looking back, her advice is rooted in perspective.

“Trust the process and don’t compare your journey to anyone else,” she says. “Growth comes from exploring, making mistakes, and learning from them.”

For Ovsepian, that mindset has shaped not only her college experience, but the future she is now stepping into.

When Kai Godhwani arrived at Northeastern University, he was drawn to the natural world through marine biology and to creative expression through art. Now, as a selected undergraduate student speaker for the 2026 College of Science Celebration, he reflects on a journey shaped by curiosity, communication, and the courage to try something new.

“Being selected as a COS undergraduate student speaker is a huge honor,” Godhwani says. “It’s not only an opportunity to reflect on my own experience, but to represent a diverse and driven group of students who are all approaching science in their own unique way.”

As he prepares to take the stage, he hopes to give something back to the community that shaped his. “I hope that when I take that stage, I can give something back, even just one idea or perspective that stays with someone long after the celebration ends.”

Finding His Voice in Science

Throughout his time at Northeastern, Godhwani found that growth came not only from what he learned, but how he shared it.

“I’ve grown especially in my communication and public speaking,” he explains. “Through coursework, research meetings, and presentations, I’ve become much more confident in how I communicate complex ideas clearly to different audiences.”

From guest lecturing college students on ecology to teaching middle schoolers about microplastics, he learned to adapt his approach depending on who he was speaking to.

“This growth has changed not just how I approach science, but how I connect with people,” he says.

Making an Impact Through Teaching

Godhwani points to his role as an ecology laboratory teaching assistant as one of his proudest accomplishments.

“Teaching pushed me to truly understand the material at a deeper level,” he says. “More importantly, it gave me the opportunity to make a real impact on other students.”

He recalls moments when students began to see themselves differently as learners.

“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone get genuinely excited about learning something new and watching their confidence grow as a scientist,” he says.

Creativity, Challenge, and Growth

Some of Godhwani’s most meaningful growth came from stepping outside of his comfort zone, particularly in his art minor.

He recalls Painting Basics with Professor Mira Cantor as one of his most challenging experiences.

“As someone who tends toward perfectionism, painting felt intimidating because there is no erasing,” he says. “But I learned to let go of that mindset and embrace the process.”

That shift extended far beyond the studio.

“Adapting, layering, and transforming mistakes into something new changed how I approach challenges in other areas of my life,” he explains.

Moments and Connections That Last

Many of Godhwani’s favorite memories are tied to the people and experiences that shaped his time at Northeastern.

Studying abroad in Dublin during his first semester stands out as a defining moment.

“In a city none of us had ever lived in before, a group of strangers became some of the most important people in my life,” he says. “Those experiences set the tone for the rest of my time at Northeastern.”

On campus, he found comfort in the routines that carried him through busy semesters — studying at ISEC, grabbing a Cuban sandwich from Churchill Creations, and taking moments to reset by the koi pond.

As graduation approaches, it is the people he will miss most.

“Every day at Northeastern, you meet someone new with a different perspective, but just as creative, motivated, and passionate,” he says. “That kind of environment pushes you to grow.”

Looking Ahead

After graduation, Godhwani will continue his work as a proteomics research technician at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Fischer Lab, while he studies targeted protein degradation and its potential applications in treating disease.

Reflecting on his journey, his advice is simple.

“Have courage,” he says. “Taking the first step is always the hardest part, but it opens doors to opportunities and growth you could never have predicted.”

For Andrea Bedoni, a Master of Science in Biotechnology graduate, being selected as the student speaker for the 2026 College of Science Graduate Celebration is both an honor and a responsibility.

“To be selected as the student speaker for my graduation is an immense honor,” Bedoni says. “It means having the opportunity to share what my time at Northeastern truly looked like: the pivots, the growth, and the moments of doubt that quietly became moments of clarity.”

As she prepares to take the stage, Bedoni reflects on a journey shaped not by a single path, but by the willingness to embrace change and uncertainty.

Leaning Into the Unconventional

During her time at Northeastern, Bedoni learned to embrace what set her apart.

“There is something unconventional about being a biotechnology student who wants to work in consulting,” she explains. “It raises eyebrows and invites questions. Early on, it also invited self-doubt.”

Over time, that uncertainty became a source of confidence.

“The more I leaned into what made my path unconventional, the more I realized that was exactly my advantage,” she says. “I stopped trying to fit the mold and started building my own.”

She credits this shift as one of the most important outcomes of her graduate experience, gaining not only technical skills but the confidence to use them on her own terms.

Creating Community with Intention

Beyond academics, Bedoni is most proud of the communities she helped build.

“Belonging is not passive,” she says. “It is something you create, intentionally, for yourself and for others.”

From founding a Women Entrepreneurship Chapter (WE x Northeastern) to contributing to Graduate Student Government and participating in Girls Into VC, an organization that empowers women to explore and excel in venture capital, she focused on creating spaces where others could connect and grow.

“The right community does not just support your growth,” she adds. “It accelerates it.”

Growth Through Challenge

Some of Bedoni’s most defining moments came from being pushed outside her comfort zone, particularly in the classroom.

One experience that stands out is Big Data for Cities with Professor Dan O’Brien.

“I walked into that class with no background in R (a programming language for statistical computing and data visualization) and walked out having coded my way through nearly 200,000 data entries,” she says.

What made the course especially impactful was the clarity of expectations.

“There was no ambiguity, just a clear and consistent push to become a better, more technical version of myself,” she explains. “That class taught me that being challenged is not something to avoid. It is exactly where growth happens.”

Moments That Mattered

Some of Bedoni’s most meaningful memories came from experiences beyond the classroom.

She recalls organizing an event with Girls Into VC to highlight women making an impact in the corporate world.

“What made it special was everything that went into it, the late nights, the cold emails, and the uncertainty of not knowing if it would come together,” she says.

When it did, nearly 70 students attended.

“Standing in that room, I realized the work I was doing here was not staying inside the classroom. It was reaching people, creating space, and building something that mattered.”

Stepping Into What’s Next

As graduation approaches, Bedoni reflects on what she will miss most.

“The people,” she says. “My professors, my friends, and everyone I had the privilege of collaborating with.”

She credits the Northeastern community not only for its ambition, but for its willingness to support one another.

After graduation, Bedoni will join McKinsey & Company in Mexico City, where she plans to explore work in renewable energy and the intersection of biotechnology and healthcare.

Looking back, her advice is simple.

“Stay a student,” she says. “Walk into your master’s program with openness. The people you learn from outside the classroom will shape who you become.”

How do bacterial biofilms — communities of bacteria that develop an extracellular matrix around themselves — allow chronic infections to flourish? What can the reproductive system of a worm teach us about the human body? Does an axolotl’s ability to sense and respond to physical stimuli matter in skeletal regeneration?

These are the questions asked by three Northeastern students in the research they’ve pursued over the course of their undergraduate careers. This work has led to Numair Elahi, Maren Ritterbuck and Sophia Guerra, becoming three of the 454 students who received this year’s Barry Goldwater Scholarship. This prestigious award supports undergraduate students in science, engineering and mathematics who have the potential for promising research careers.

Tell us about your idea.

The mucoadhesive hydrogel system is a novel proposal for a two-fold therapy method for targeted drug delivery in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. The hydrogel functions as both a “gut band-aid” and also a deliverer of drugs directly to sites of IBD-caused gut lesions. It reduces systemic bodily exposure to doses of toxic drugs, and thus allows for high dosage ability in one singular capsule.

What inspired it, and how did it develop?

My friend has IBD, and as a result, I became exposed to the hardships that came with not only the disease symptoms themselves, but also the treatment methods that accompany them. The idea developed initially from the search for “instant energy” capsule fabrication methods which turned into the discovery of hydrogels. Seeing the potential of these hydrogels, I developed a separate idea shifting away from energy sourcing, and more toward direct treatment methods.

Now that you’ve won, what’s the plan? What milestone are you working toward next?

My next step is to reach out to the researchers who worked on the original model that I am building off of in my method. I want their feedback on the idea, and maybe their help in developing it. Being able to develop an idea like this is costly and complex, however, working towards being able to create it and test it in an animal model would be my next goal.

What impact do you hope this idea will have?

The impact that I hope this idea will have later down the line is to have it be not only a new treatment method for IBD patients, but a less painful and costly one. Treatments that currently exist for IBD, such as IV infusions, not only continue to perpetuate pain for patients, but are also one of their only options. I hope this idea expands the limited research into IBD, and works towards providing those patients with a higher quality of life.

Co-sponsored by the Science Connects to Innovation program and NextGen Lab, the COS Pitch Competition is an exciting opportunity for undergraduates in the College of Science to present their entrepreneurial research idea to a panel of judges for a chance to win prizes!

Soumya Raguraman, a behavioral neuroscience major with minors in business administration and public health, placed third in the 2026 COS Pitch Competition for LabMatch: The Undergraduate Research Matching Platform. Learn more about how this idea came about.

Tell us about your idea.

LabMatch is a platform designed to expand equitable access to undergraduate research by creating a transparent, structured system for connecting students and academic labs. Instead of relying on informal networks or cold emailing, LabMatch matches students with opportunities based on skills, interests, and fit. The platform helps students better understand available research roles and expectations, while enabling labs to efficiently identify candidates who align with their needs and capacity.

What inspired it, and how did it develop?

LabMatch was inspired by my own experience navigating research access as an undergraduate student without a roadmap. As the child of immigrants, I entered college without prior exposure to academia or an understanding of how to approach labs. I found myself sending dozens of cold emails without clear direction, while watching peers secure opportunities more easily because they understood unspoken academic norms or had existing connections.

Over time, as I became involved in neuroscience research, I began to see the system from both perspectives. Students were struggling to break into research, while labs were overwhelmed with unstructured outreach and limited capacity to respond. It became clear that the issue wasn’t a lack of interest, but a lack of structure.

LabMatch developed from that realization. I wanted to create a system that makes research access more transparent and intentional by matching students and labs based on skills and fit, rather than informal networks.

Now that you’ve won, what’s the plan? What milestone are you working toward next?

Winning this award is incredibly validating, and it allows me to move LabMatch from concept into execution. The next steps involve launching a pilot program with a small group of academic labs and students at Northeastern. I’m focused on refining the matching framework and building out the platform interface. A key milestone is collecting meaningful pilot data (understanding match quality, student outcomes, and lab satisfaction) so that LabMatch can be improved and scaled responsibly.

Longer term, my goal is to establish LabMatch as a sustainable system that universities can adopt to make research access more transparent and equitable for all students.

What impact do you hope this idea will have?

I hope LabMatch changes how students access research by making the process more transparent, structured, and equitable. Too often, opportunities in academia depend on informal networks or insider knowledge, which can unintentionally exclude students who are just as capable but less familiar with the system. I also hope it makes the process more efficient for labs by reducing unstructured outreach and helping them find students who are a strong fit.

Andre Bancu won first place in the 2026 COS Pitch Competition for The Role of Transient Bioelectric Disruption in Heritable Chromatin State Changes in Dugesia japonica. Learn more about his research idea and the impact he hopes to make.

Tell us about your idea.

Planaria are tiny, freshwater flatworms that exhibit the remarkable ability of regeneration. The process of regeneration in planaria is well researched, but one rather understudied field is bioelectric signaling. When bioelectric signaling is transiently disrupted, these planaria stochastically produce two heads instead of a head and a tail during regeneration. Even more intriguing, this phenomenon is transgenerational.

I aim to investigate why bioelectric disruptions produce the two-headed phenotype, and I hypothesize that this is caused by epigenetic repression of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. To investigate this, I plan to examine epigenetic modifications in bioelectrically disrupted planaria, as well as transgenerational expression of canonical Wnt target genes.

What inspired it, and how did it develop?

In high school, I had an amazing biology teacher, Ms. Kerri Scott. She helped me conduct my first research project on antimicrobial resistance, and since then I’ve fallen in love with research in biology.

This semester, I took Tissue Regeneration as my Biological Inquiries class with Professor Timothy Duerr, and I found the concept of regeneration utterly fascinating. Early in the semester, I knew I wanted to start a research project, so I hopped on my computer and started digging. One research paper led to another, and I ran into the notorious double-headed planaria.

After a couple weeks of educating myself on bioelectric signaling and other related fields, I began theorizing, and here I am now. What started as curiosity about a weird-looking worm became a genuine hypothesis.

Now that you’ve won, what’s the plan? What milestone are you working toward next?

The next step is actually doing the experiment itself, which I hope to do over in the Wet Lab Makerspace during the summer. With the money from the Pitch Competition and a PEAK Award I applied for this semester, I have a good chance of entirely funding the experiment. No matter the results of the research, my main goal is to teach people about my findings and help show others this crazy and amazing world of biology that we live in. Alongside this, I plan to continue my research journey at Northeastern, specifically in regenerative biology.

What impact do you hope this idea will have?

Much remains unknown in the field of bioelectric signaling, and this is exactly why I decided to pursue this research. I mean, you have these experiments where you disrupt bioelectric signals, and these worms grow two heads. That’s pretty insane, isn’t it? So, we know that these disruptions cause a heritable physiological change, and now we have to ask, what could be causing it?

If my research supports that bioelectric signaling is able to manipulate the epigenome, this could provide a plausible mechanism for how bioelectric signaling affects regenerative patterning in planaria.

Now, one caveat is that planaria are simpler in anatomy compared to vertebrates, and the question then becomes whether this bioelectric mechanism has been evolutionarily passed down to other organisms. Similar mechanisms have been seen in the frog species Xenopus, which implies that this may be conserved across organisms.

If all of these factors are supported, bioelectric signaling may be a critical factor in correct regenerative patterning in vertebrates, which may one day apply to us once we unlock regenerative medicine in humans.

Join us for the Science Connects to Innovation Pitch Competition from the College of Science! COS undergraduate students will present their entrepreneurial or research pitch to a panel of judges for chance to win prize money!

Students who would like to present need to register and submit their abstract by February 27. Pitches are accepted on a rolling basis.

Everyone is welcome to attend and watch the presentation.

Come listen to student and faculty experiences with getting involved in research, building your resume, cold emailing, and much more!