Alumni Gathering

Several of our 2019 graduates had a chance to catch up this summer, which is infused with its own sense of energy and excitement. No matter where they are in the world, reuniting, celebrating and creating new memories are fondly embraced by our alumni community. Fun and friendship forever: pictured Nick Ryan, Stephanie Sturm, Lauren Deehan, Andrew Backman, Manbir Singh and Sara Ashley (L-R)


A chart of MS-BIOT alumni 2016-2021 with known employment or degree destinations, identified via surveys and/or web search. Of 247 alumni, 95% were employed: 38% in BioPharma, 13% in Academia, 12% in Consulting, 11% in Healthcare, 7% in Business, 7% in Government/Policy, 5% Other. 5% were pursuing advanced degrees: 2% Ph.D., 2% M.D., <1% DDS, <1% MBA, <1% M.D./MBA.

Biotechnology alumni have gone on to become accomplished leaders and practitioners in all facets of the biotechnology industry. The quality and versatility of our program has allowed our students to pursue successful careers in academia, research, medicine and industry. We value our alumni and the contributions they bring to our program.

Magdeline Schoonover (2022)

I am a huge advocate of Georgetown’s Biotechnology Master’s Program…I can see this program serving as a sturdy foundation for my future career, whether it is in biotech, project management, pharma, pursuing a PhD or MBA, or wherever I go from here.

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Tosin Akinyinka (2014)

Career direction/track: BioScience

Scientist, AstraZeneca

Reflecting further on his time at Georgetown in the Biotechnology Program, Tosin has stated that he did not anticipate the benefit of having a strong business footing. He explained during the interview that the knowledge of basic business principles is critical in forming a solid understanding of the biotechnology industry and will be a critical component for job advancement.

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Tierney Sovic (2020)

Career direction/track: BioBusiness

Account Executive at LAZAR, a Finn Partners Company

“One of the driving factors that motivated me to continue my biotechnology studies at Georgetown is the unique balance of the faculty and staff. It is comprised of Georgetown-affiliated, academic professors as well as adjunct faculty professors who work in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government institutions, and consulting firms.”

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Josh Zalis (2018)

Career direction/track: Entrepreneurship

Senior Scientific Partnerships Lead, nference

“The Biotechnology Masters Program ultimately allowed me to reach my career goals of blending my scientific and business knowledge, as soon after graduation, I secured a role at McKinsey & Company working on their Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products Intelligence team.”

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Doug Nissinoff (2018)

Career direction/track: Business

“Georgetown’s biotechnology network is rich with excellent resources that provide their students with opportunities across all aspects of the sector.”

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Brent Knoblauch (2017)

Career direction/track: Consulting

“Within the first week of starting my new career in consulting I could tell that my time at Georgetown equipped me with the tools I needed to not only succeed, but to excel.”

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Ross Chudnovskiy (2014)

Career direction/track: Science

“What I liked most about this program is that it took a real life approach to my education. I was able to learn the skills employers seek out which prepared me to get into the workforce as soon as I graduated.”

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Sarala Kal (2014)

Career direction/track: Science

“I have finally figured out what I want to do with my life because of this program. My next chapter starts at Sloane Memory Hospital in New York City.”

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Sam King (2014)

Career direction/track: Business

“Georgetown allowed me to take a unique mix of classes spanning diverse topics such as finance, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property, in addition to more traditional science courses such as biochemistry and immunology.”

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Armineh Ghazarian (2013)

Career direction/track: Business

“The opportunity to leverage the coursework to real world applications through my internships further enriched my learning experience and prepared me for my career post-graduation.”

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Rebecca Gibbs (2013)

Career direction/track: Industrial Sciences

“The greatest thing about this program is that it provides a comprehensive overview of the entire life science spectrum … thus allowing students to develop their unique interests and skills into various careers.”

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Anirudh Gaur (2012)

Career direction/track: Industrial Sciences

“The program is designed to give students the tools to easily transition into the professional world – whether you are interested in research, business or a hybrid of these aspects of biotechnology.”

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Anurag Patnaik (2012)

Career direction/track: Science

“Georgetown’s one year MS Biotechnology program stood out from the rest. First it was an intense one year program, and I could get back to work without taking a long break. Second it offered a nice mix of business as well as science courses.”

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Hannah Njau (2012)

Career direction/track: BioBusiness Track

“One of the best parts of the program is that industry experts provide insight into the current state and future outlook of the industry. This was extremely helpful in gaining clarity on which areas to focus on and pursue in my career.”

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Lauren Langis (2011)

Career direction/track: Regulatory Affairs

“…the diversity in Georgetown’s graduate student body reflects the current landscape of working in big pharma- both rely heavily on groups of multinational individuals successfully working together for the betterment of innovation and health. “

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Lisa Parvin (2010)

Career direction/track: Science

“With a wonderful blend of science and business courses, this program encourages students to think outside of the box and to dream big.”

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Zhouli Xuan (2010)

Career direction/track: Individualized

“[This program] offered me a panoramic vision of the biotechnology industry: from entrepreneurship to intellectual property law, from basic science research to cutting edge diagnostic technology.”

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Sapna Padmanabhan (2009)

Career direction/track: Business

“One of my favorite courses in the program was Entrepreneurial Biotechnology, which allowed us to work in teams to develop business plans for introducing a new biological product into the market, from inception through implementation.”

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Purti Kanodia (2008)

Career direction/track: Business

“I could not have asked for a better blend in terms of course offerings.”

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Kanishka Pothula (2008)

Career direction/track: Business

“I have found a career that is a pure hybrid of my passion for both the science and business of Biotech. I could not have found this path on my own and I owe a lot of thanks to everyone at Georgetown’s Biotechnology MS program for helping me realize my goals.”

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You-shin Chen (2007)

Career direction/track: Science

“The program welcomed students from different background and with different dreams, and helped them fulfill their goals by all means.”

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Elvena Fong (2007)

Career direction/track: Bioinformatics, Individualized Track

“I am certain that I will keep learning, growing, and building on top of the foundation that I have gained here at Georgetown.”

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Athanasia Anagnostou (2006)

Career direction/track: Business/Entrepreneurship

“The faculty of the program … has always been welcoming, supportive and excellent mentors.”

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Peter Frantz (2005)

Career direction/track: Business

“Because of my internship and the courses taken during the program, management of our Intellectual Property portfolio was added to my responsibilities.”

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Mehrnaz Momenian Millwater (2005)

Career direction/track: Medical

“I owe a large part of my career to the Georgetown University’s Master in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology with Specialization in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics Program.”

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Kinney Horn (2002)

Career direction/track: Business

“[…] found an ideal profession that marries his knowledge of finance, biochemistry, with his desire to create real change in the lives of cancer patients.”

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Matthew D. Arnold (2000)

Career direction/track: Business

“My career thus far has been extremely rewarding, and I can trace it all back to what I learned and the doors that were opened at Georgetown’s Biotechnology MS program.”

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