Profiles

Graduate Students

Graduate Student Profiles

Jessica Huizenga, '05, '12

Graduate School of Education
The Graduate School of Education's online program afforded Jessica Huizenga the opportunity to advance her career, completing both master's and doctorate degrees without stepping foot on campus.
Ramez Antoun, ’10

Exercise Physiology & Physical Therapy
Ramez Antoun’s internship at the Institute of Performance and Fitness in Andover gave him real-work experience and access to leaders in his chosen field while he was still in the exercise physiology (EP) program.
Justin Lawler, ’09

Campus Recreation
Justin Lawler's job as assistant director of campus recreation has him working while others play.
Paula Bustos, ’10, ’11

Electrical Engineering
Paula Bustos isn't afraid of a challenge. The Colombia native earned two degrees in electrical engineering in five years.
Amanda Veiga, ’12

Economic and Social Development of Regions
One of the more memorable projects Amanda Veiga has worked on at the University was the St. Patrick’s Church excavation project in Lowell. As one of six students selected to participate, the group searched for remnants of Irish immigrants.
Mark Micire, ’11

Computer Science
Mark Micire’s unique work experience and education have been able to help people in their darkest hour. He designs robotics systems that help coordinate efforts at search and rescue sites.
Katharine Covino

Education
As a third-year doctoral student, Katharine Covino is excited to continue her work at UMass Lowell in fall 2012.
Sarah Ross, ’10, ’11

Education
Sarah Ross found the path to her profession at UMass Lowell, and the young students of Lowell are reaping the benefits. Ross earned two degrees in five years through the Fast Track to Teaching program. "I wanted to teach in an urban setting, and the whole program seemed fit to what I needed."
Aaron Stella, ’08, ’10, ’13

Clinical Laboratory & Nutritional Sciences
Before Aaron Stella graduated from the medical laboratory science program, he had more job offers than he knew what to do with.
Donna Lannan, ’96

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy alumna Donna Lannan chose UMass Lowell for its “affordable program that was within commuting distance to home. It also happened to have one of the best reputations around.”
Kyle Coffey, ’10

Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy
Kyle Coffey credits the strength of the UMass Lowell faculty for preparing him with the critical-thinking skills needed to pass his board exam the first time around.
Nicole Sambursky, ’10, ’11

Chemical Engineering, Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship (MSITE)
Nicole has availed herself of opportunities for hands-on experience in her field and leadership.
Matthew Olson, '07

Graduate School of Education
Matthew Olson, dean of humanities and social science at Middlesex Community College, says there is a direct connection between the doctorate he earned in Leadership in Schooling and his current job.
David Laurello, ’81, ’88

Electrical Engineering, master’s in Business Administration
When it comes to education, David Laurello values lessons that translate to life on the job.
Allegra Williams, ’09

Community Social Psychology
With a background in psychology and international studies, Allegra Williams says the community social psychology master’s program was a perfect fit for her. Now, she’s turned her interest in community-building into a career as the neighborhood planner for the City of Lowell.
Bill Lovely, ’92

Industrial Management/Work Environment
A bachelor’s degree in industrial management in 1992 helped Bill Lovely launch his career as an environmental scientist. Now he’s back pursuing a master’s in work environment with a concentration in cleaner production and pollution prevention.
Lydia Sisson

Economic and Social Development of Regions
Armed with skills achieved through her graduate studies in Economic and Social Development of Regions, Lydia Sisson '12 launched Mill City Grows "with the goal of empowering Lowell residents to create a safe, healthy food system through access and education."
James Ristow, ’11

Mechanical Engineering
James Ristow wanted to be an astronaut when he grew and now works at NASA as an aeronautical engineer. When given the chance to further his studies in structural dynamics, UMass Lowell was at the top of his list.
Janelle Diaz, ’12

Psychology
Janelle Diaz says two things made her undergraduate experience at UMass Lowell really special: residence life and the club she founded, Disable the Label.
Gordon Halm, '12

Liberal Arts
Gordon Halm '12 learned from an early age that hard work pays off. The Ghana native and father of three earned his Bachelor's in Liberal Arts in 2012 and is pursuing his Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies.
Harish Hande, ’98, ’00

Renewable Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Social entrepreneur Harish Hande is helping the poor in India in an economically and environmentally sustainable way, by bringing affordable solar power to the countryside.
Shannon Smith, ’08, ’09

Psychology, Elementary Education
Shannon Smith entered school planning to be a criminal profiler. Now she teaches kindergarten in the United Arab Emirates.
Pranav Joshi, ’11

Management Information Systems
Pranav Joshi encourages incoming students to take advantage of the co-op program and the career-building seminars offered throughout the University.
Tim DiFrancesco, ’06

Physical Therapy
Tim DiFrancesco '06 landed his dream job as the strength and conditioning coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. His doctor of physical therapy degree gave him the edge.
Ianna Hondros-McCarthy, ’12, ’13

Psychology, English (pre-med), Peace and Conflict Studies
Ianna Hondros-McCarthy knows that you don’t have to travel far, or mortgage your future, to get an excellent education. She says, “Coming to UMass Lowell was the best possible decision for me.”
Susan Gordon, ’12

Doctor of Nursing Practice
With a dual nurse practitioner certification in adult acute care and gerontology, Gordon enrolled in UMass Lowell’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program to learn leadership skills to help her improve care, especially for older adults.
Molly Clay, ’10, ’11

Chemical Engineering
Molly was looking for a high-caliber engineering program. The answer was UMass Lowell.
Shaheed Mohamed, ’11

Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Sciences
As a Fulbright scholar and international student, Shaheed Mohamed has his choice of programs. He decided to continue his studies at UMass Lowell because of the strength of the clinical laboratory sciences.
Gianni Falzone, '13

Management, Innovation & Technology Entrepreneurship
Coming from a family of small business owners, entrepreneurship is Gianni Falzone's blood. To develop on his Bachelor's degree, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship.
Jennifer Yee, '13

Mechanical Engineering, Assistant Softball Coach
If there is one motto that Jennifer Yee has always lived by, it’s to be the best and train accordingly.

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