For Kimi Nguyen, an applied mathematics master’s student with concentrations in data science, being selected as the student speaker for the 2025 College of Science Graduate Celebration represents a fitting conclusion to her Northeastern journey. 

“It is a tremendous honor,” Nguyen says. “As a PlusOne student who also completed my undergraduate degree here, Northeastern has been a second home to me for many years.” 

The selection holds special significance for Nguyen. “Closing out my time at Northeastern as the speaker this year is a bittersweet and meaningful way to end this chapter,” she reflects. 

Growth Beyond Equations 

While Nguyen’s academic journey has certainly strengthened her skills as a mathematician, her Northeastern experience fostered growth in multiple dimensions. 

“I’ve grown as a person — in how I communicate, how I handle conflict, and overall, who I am,” she explains. “Each year, I find myself more different than the person I was the year before.” 

This evolution from high school student to graduate student represents significant personal development that parallels her academic achievements. 

Giving Back to the Math Department 

When asked about her proudest accomplishment, Nguyen points to her contributions to the Mathematics Department. “It was never about recognition; I simply enjoyed it,” she says. 

Her involvement spanned numerous initiatives, from participating in Bridge to Calculus to taking a leadership role in MathEMA and representing the math and PlusOne programs to prospective students. These efforts became especially meaningful considering that her undergraduate years began during the challenges of COVID. 

“I am proud of how much I was able to give back to the community that gave so much to me,” she notes. 

The Beauty of Late-Night Study Sessions 

Some of Nguyen’s favorite memories revolve around late-night study sessions with fellow students. “Whether it was in the math lounge or at Snell Library, staying up late grinding through assignments with friends became a surprisingly special ritual,” she shares. 

Though difficult in the moment, these experiences created lasting bonds. “We would get frustrated, tired, and hungry—but somehow, it bonded us. And even though, at the time, it was terrible and exhausting, we would all still show up the next day to do it all over again.” 

This perfect encapsulation of the college experience—”It was the best of times; it was the worst of times”—reflects the unique camaraderie formed through shared academic challenges. 

Campus Connections 

As graduation approaches, Nguyen will miss the campus environment and the vibrant community of the Mathematics Department. 

“I’ll miss running between office hours, the busy semesters spent side by side with friends and a whiteboard, and the small but meaningful moments — like sitting at Centennial Common after finals, reflecting on how far we’d come,” she says. 

Her deep appreciation for the Math Department stands out in her reflections: “I am deeply grateful for my time at Northeastern, and I credit the math department, above all, for making it so special.” 

Looking Forward While Appreciating the Present 

Currently working full-time at Loomis Sayles as a Custom Income Strategies Associate, Nguyen plans to eventually apply to Ph.D. programs in mathematics, applied math, data science, or engineering. She’s also considering returning to Cambodia, where she completed her undergraduate co-op. 

Looking back, she offers advice to first-year students that resonates with many graduates: “It’s so cliché, but I would tell my first-year self to slow down and enjoy the moment.” 

Throughout her time at Northeastern, Nguyen was often focused on what came next graduating, building a career, and moving forward. Now at that transition point, she has a new perspective: “Now that I’m actually stepping into that next chapter, I look back with a sense of melancholy and gratitude for my time at Northeastern.” 

Her parting reflection captures both the anticipation of a new graduate and the nostalgia of a completed journey: “While ambition is important, these moments—both the highs and the struggles—are what make the experience truly special. Because five years could not have gone by any faster.” 

When Paola Pimentel Torres first arrived at Northeastern University from her hometown of Carolina, Puerto Rico, she was shy and overwhelmed by the prospect of standing out among so many talented students. Now, as one of the selected undergraduate student speakers for the 2025 College of Science Celebration on May 9th, the chemistry major with a concentration in chemical biology and a minor in Spanish for healthcare professionals reflects on a journey of remarkable personal and academic growth. 

“Being chosen as the COS Celebration student speaker was truly unexpected, and it means more to me than I can fully express,” Pimentel Torres says. “It’s a reflection of the hard work, growth, and resilience that have shaped my journey over the past four years.” 

While her initial goal was straightforward—get into medical school—her Northeastern experience provided far more than just academic preparation. Through her classes, she developed confidence and meaningful relationships with professors. She discovered effective study strategies and, perhaps most importantly, learned to believe in herself. 

Chemistry Club Legacy 

Pimentel Torres points to her involvement with the chemistry club as her proudest achievement at Northeastern. What began as a simple way to make friends and find support evolved into a leadership journey that saw her rise from member to vice president during her freshman year, ultimately becoming president by her senior year. 

“I worked to transform the club into a more welcoming space for students of all majors, and I focused on creating activities that have since become lasting traditions,” she explains. Under her leadership, the club became more inclusive while she personally developed greater confidence in her voice and learned to advocate for her beliefs. 

The connections she forged with faculty and peers through the club proved invaluable, creating a network that helped shape her educational path and personal development. 

Finding School Spirit 

Asked about her favorite Northeastern memory, Pimentel Torres recalls attending her first Beanpot hockey game—an experience that ignited school pride she hadn’t anticipated. 

“I had no idea how big of a deal hockey was at Northeastern, and to experience a championship win firsthand was unforgettable,” she shares. “The energy in the arena was electric, and it sparked a genuine love for the sport in me.” 

The experience deepened her connection to the university community, leading her to proudly wear Northeastern gear more often and embrace campus traditions. 

Daily Traditions and Future Plans 

As graduation approaches, Pimentel Torres will miss the small daily rituals that made Northeastern feel like home: stopping by Wollaston’s for a large mocha or double chocolate muffin (her favorite sandwich was always the “Lighten Up Francis”), attending classes with friends, and spending hours studying together at Snell Library or EXP. 

“Having the freedom to see each other whenever we wanted, whether for schoolwork or to hang out, is something I’ll miss dearly,” she reflects. “It’s the simple moments with the people who became my second family that I’ll always hold closest.” 

This fall, Pimentel Torres will begin medical school at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, fulfilling the goal that brought her to Northeastern originally. Before then, she looks forward to her first real break from academics, planning to spend the summer with friends and family. 

Advice to First-Year Students 

Looking back, Pimentel Torres wishes she had worried less about meeting specific expectations and checking boxes. “I would tell my first-year self to worry less and do more,” she advises. “I spent too much energy trying to fit into a specific mold.” 

Her recommendation to incoming students: take risks, be curious, step outside your comfort zone, and don’t worry about what others think. The experiences that seemed most intimidating often became her most rewarding. 

We’re extraordinarily proud to recognize the following College of Science faculty and staff for their outstanding contributions and commitment to leadership, mentorship, research, teaching, innovation, and EDIJ initiatives within the College and Northeastern University. 

COS Excellence in Teaching Award 

Leila Deravi, Associate Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology 

Benjamin Dittbrenner, Associate Teaching Professor, Marine and Environmental Sciences 

Andreia Ionescu, Assistant Professor, Biology 

COS Excellence in Research Award 

Iva Halacheva, Assistant Professor, Mathematics 

Paul Whitford, Professor, Physics 

Aron Stubbins, Professor, Marine and Environmental Science and Chemistry and Chemical Biology 

COS Excellence in Mentorship Award 

Roman Manetsch, Professor, Chemistry and Chemical Biology 

Juliet Davidow, Assistant Professor, Psychology 

COS Excellence in EDIJ Award 

Johan Bonilla Castro, Assistant Professor, Physics 

Marya Mahmood, Associate Director, Belonging and Engagement 

COS Staff Award for Excellence and Leadership 

Stephanie Frazitta, Director, Undergraduate Advising 

COS Staff Award for Excellence in Mentorship 

Linda Ayrapetov, Director, Student Programs 

COS Rising Star Staff Award 

Nicki Hosey, Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising 

COS Innovation Award 

Missy McElligott, Teaching Professor, Biology 

Hari Kumarakuru, Assistant Teaching Professor, Physics 

Tracy Tan, Assistant Dean, Professional Programs 

Nicole Viquez and Vincent Capone, Senior Academic Advisors, Undergraduate Advising 

Congratulations to the newest recipients of the Advancing Women in Science scholarship! These students will take part in a year-long cohort program focused on enhancing their professional development and mentoring abilities, while also building a strong support network to foster their continued growth and success in science. This year, thanks to generous donors, the scholarship was extended to PhD students. Read more about these exceptional scientists below! 

Undergraduate Recipients 

Amalia Costa, Cell and Molecular Biology 

Amalia Costa is a second year cell and molecular biology major with a minor in Ethics. Her hometown is South Kingstown, Rhode Island. On the pre-medical track with an interest in oncology, she is passionate about bridging science and patient care. She is currently on co-op working as a Patient Care Technician. She is a research assistant in the MAdS Lab under Dr. Santos. Her work centers on targeting the BAM complex in Gram-negative bacteria to disrupt their outer membrane formation, with the goal of identifying new treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections. In addition to her studies, she served as a teaching assistant for Foundations of Biology. Outside the lab and hospital, she plays the clarinet in the Northeastern University Symphony Orchestra. 

Lauren Kong, Behavioral Neuroscience 

Lauren Kong is driven by a personal mission to bridge science, innovation, and business strategy in ways that meaningfully transform lives. She is passionate about translating novel research into real-world solutions that are both impactful and equitable, especially for the communities that need them most. Guided by purpose, enthusiasm, and curiosity, Lauren actively seeks out opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. She currently conducts research at The Brain Impact Lab, investigating how exercise influences cognition and brain health, and has held multiple executive roles in Northeastern University’s student organizations, including Evolve and the Entrepreneurs Club. With a deep commitment to healthcare entrepreneurship, Lauren is dedicated to advancing data-driven, human-centered innovation that challenges systemic disparities and redefines what personalized and accessible healthcare can look like. 

Imani Mbusu, Behavioral Neuroscience 

Imani Mbusu is a second-year behavioral neuroscience student from Westampton, New Jersey. She is particularly interested in studying neurodegenerative diseases, and aspires to become a doctor in a neuroscience-related field of medicine. Currently, Imani is on co-op at Harvard Medical School in the Sinclair Lab, where she studies animal behavior in mouse models, explore chemical reprogramming, and perform various wet-lab techniques. 

Doga Oge, Behavioral Neuroscience 

Doga Oge is a second-year behavioral neuroscience major on the pre-med track originally from Istanbul, Turkey. She is passionate about psychiatric neuroscience and using technology to make mental health treatment more accessible. Doga will soon join the Visual Cortex Research Project at McLean Hospital, where she will work with psychiatrists from the Psychotic Disorders Division at Harvard Medical School to study visual perception disturbances, brain structure, and early biomarkers of psychosis. She is currently designing a mental health accessibility app that connects underserved communities with top psychiatrists through group therapy sessions. She dreams of becoming a psychiatrist who also codes her own clinical tools to close gaps in care and reach those who are often overlooked. In her free time, she enjoys playing violin, exploring AI, and mentoring others in STEM. 

Naadia Rashid, Cell and Molecular Biology 

Naadia Rashid is a second-year cell and molecular biology student with a minor in data science from Richmond, Virginia. She is a research assistant in the Apfeld Lab at Northeastern University, where she is studying the interplay between molecular genetics and environmental stressors in the context of aging. Passionate about genomic medicine, she is working on a project investigating how genetic perturbations in the metabolic pathway influence glycogen detoxification. She has also worked on exploring redox properties of small peptides relevant to amyloid-beta and Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis under Dr. Vaso Lykourinou as a Russell Women in Science Scholar. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine with a focus on clinical genetics. 

Meera Shukla, Behavioral Neuroscience 

Meera Shukla is a second-year behavioral neuroscience major interested in child and adolescent brain development and its impact on health. She currently works as an undergraduate research assistant at the Social Development and Wellbeing lab, as well as a patient navigator at the South End NeighborHealth Clinic with Link Health. In her free time, Meera enjoys writing, listening to podcasts, as well as cooking and creating new recipes. She hopes to one day intertwine her interest in research and patient care after graduation. 

PhD Candidate Recipients 

Marcela de Barros, Chemistry and Chemical Biology 

Marcela de Barros is a first-generation chemist from Brazil and a fourth year PhD candidate in chemistry. Her research in the Mattos Lab focuses on understanding disease-related mutations in Ras GTPase proteins, with implications for cancer and developmental disorders. Passionate about fostering inclusion in science, Marcela is actively involved in mentorship and advocacy through organizations such as the Alliance for Diversity in Science and Engineering (ADSE), the Northeastern Section Younger Chemists Committee (NSYCC-ACS), and she is a mentor in the Connected Science Community PhD Mentorship program. She is currently on co-op at Biogen working in the Biotherapeutics Discovery & Delivery group where she is diving into antibody research. In her free time, she enjoys ice skating, solving puzzles, handcrafting, and loves cats and sci-fi! 

Angela Jones, Marine and Environmental Sciences 

Angela Jones is a fourth year PhD candidate in marine and environmental sciences. She moved to Boston from Arcata, California where she earned her bachelor’s degree in zoology and master’s degrees in biology. Angela’s studies sea star morphology and performance across intertidal and subtidal sites of New England. In her spare time, Angela presses algae, make wheel thrown pottery, and go scuba diving.  

Katherine Trice, Psychology 

Katherine Trice, I am from Corning, New York, and I am a 4th year PhD student from Corning, New York. Katherine the Language Acquisition and Brain Laboratory (QLAB) under Dr. Zhenghan Qi, where she studies the neural and cognitive underpinnings of language learning, with a particular interest in atypical populations such as autistic or Deaf individuals. Katherine loves reading, writing, and learning new craft skills, and hope to someday be a professor at a university and run her own research lab!