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. 

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. 

For years, the Endangered Species Act has been interpreted in a way that preserves the environments where endangered and threatened plants and animals live.

A proposed regulatory change by the Trump administration would limit the act’s protection to prohibit killing, harming or injuring individual animals and not the habitats on which they rely, some experts say.

The pending change in the definition of “harm” to make it illegal to “take” a member of a protected species by methods such as trapping or killing concerns scientists who fear a loss of habitat could lead to population collapse.

“It will cripple the Endangered Species Act,” says Dan Distel, research professor at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center.

Read more from Northeastern Global News. 

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