Clinical & Translational Science Institute / Stories / May 2025 / Translational Science Graduates Ready for Careers in Science and Medicine

Translational Science Graduates Ready for Careers in Science and Medicine

Commencement at the University of Rochester marks great achievements for undergraduates and graduate students alike—the earning of degrees, the end of one period of their lives, and the beginning of the next. For students in the field of translational science and research, they are taking a specialized and valuable skillset and knowledge base forward to their next educational or professional opportunity.

“The graduating students in our clinical and translational science programs have done an incredible job during their time at the University and really have set themselves up for success,” said Research Education and Career Development Strategic Director Edwin van Wijngaarden, PhD.

“Our education programs remain relatively unique because of their focus on translational science at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Both programs prepare scholars for careers in research, medicine, and other scientific disciplines exceptionally well because of their flexibility, emphasis on collaboration, and development of practical research skills."

UR CTSI supports both the Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) major and the Translational Biomedical Science (TBS) doctor of philosophy program, providing a full spectrum of higher education opportunities in translational science and research.

Mentorship and Translational Science in Dentistry

Abdullah Almulhim in gown and hat at commencement

Abdullah Almulhim, BDS, CAGS, PhD, is one graduate of the TBS program this May. Almulhim was a member of the Jin Xiao, PhD, group at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health.

“As a pediatric dentist, I was inspired to pursue translational science to bridge the gap between clinical challenges and laboratory research, especially in improving minimally invasive treatments for children with dental caries,” Almulhim said.

With the program completed, his goal is now to integrate clinical practice with research and education to advance oral health care and to provide mentorship for the next generation of dental health professionals.

“I hope to continue building collaborative research that addresses real-world dental challenges, particularly those affecting underserved populations,” Almulhim said.

Almulhim will return to the College of Dentistry at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Saudi Arabia, as a faculty member.

Building on Foundations

Sadia Firoza Chowdhury, PhD, worked with the Thomas O’Connor, PhD, group in the Wynne Center for Family Research during her time with the TBS program.

“I was drawn to translational science because of its unique potential to bridge the gap between bench research and real-world applications,” Chowdhury said. “My PhD training in environmental and maternal-child health gave me a population-level perspective on how environmental exposures shape biological vulnerability in children.”

Chowhury is heading to the University of Chicago as a postdoctoral scholar. Her time as a PhD candidate led her to the opportunity at another prestigious research institution.

“My postdoctoral work in translational immunology will build on that foundation by exploring the mechanistic pathways, specifically immune and inflammatory responses, that link early-life exposures to long-term health outcomes.”

Undergraduate Opportunities in Translational Science

Recognizing the need to build up a workforce infused with translational science knowledge and skills, UR CTSI also supports undergraduate education in the field through the CTS major.

“It’s an incredibly interdisciplinary field with infinite applications,” Justine Lam, who finished her degree this May, said. “Research is also a big part of translational science, which is what drew me to the field initially. Having a background in translational sciences has given me a deeper understanding of the research process and helped me connect with researchers from a plethora of areas. This will definitely be useful as I hope to continue conducting research in medical school and beyond.”

Lam’s positive undergraduate experience led to an Zhao Yang portrait, black hair, glasses, green shirt

Zhao Yang portrait, black hair, glasses, green shirt

application—and acceptance—at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, where she will pursue a doctorate in medicine.

“I want discoveries to be in the hands of those still waiting for hope, not gathering dust on a shelf,” said Zhao Yang, another graduating senior (pictured, right). “I want to be part of the bridge that transforms scientific breakthroughs into better outcomes for patients, leveraging my backgrounds in biology and business.”

Yang will pursue at master of science degree in the Biology program at the University of Copenhagen.