Qiyuan Zhou | Master of Medical Sciences in Immunology

Many students enroll in the Master of Medical Sciences in Immunology program upon graduating from their undergraduate institutions. After completing a five-year program in biochemistry, molecular biology, and Japanese at the University of California, Qiyuan Zhou was ready to continue his education at Harvard Medical School. Now a second-year student in the Master of Medical Sciences in Immunology program, he says, “I wanted to delve into a field I thought would benefit my future endeavors, so I decided to do immunology. This specific program is particularly good because I get to do a thesis project, meaning I can experience the whole research process, work with others, and write papers.”

The two-year program allows students to experience a year of coursework that covers a variety of topics related to immunology, which prepares them for the year of thesis research that will be done to complete their degree requirements. In their first year, students are offered abundant opportunities to explore possible thesis topics before choosing one that interests them.

While Zhou didn’t have a clear choice upon arrival, his primary mentor, Deepak Rao, MD, PhD, offered the guidance he needed to choose his current project, “Modeling T Cell-B Cell Interaction in Rheumatoid Arthritis in a 3D Organoid System,” which explores intervention strategies targeting synovial fibroblasts and the inflammatory interactions in rheumatoid arthritis. When asked about his mentorship experience, Zhou says, “The good thing about Dr. Rao is that he actually works in the lab. If you have questions, you can talk to him.”

This level of hands-on mentorship is critical to the Master of Medical Sciences in Immunology program’s learning model as it ensures that each student is properly supported during their time at Harvard. Zhou also cites his peers as a great source of inspiration. “The students come from a variety of backgrounds, which has taught me a lot about different fields.”

Zhou advises those interested in joining the program, “Don’t rush. Often, students come from undergraduate education, where it’s harder for them to enter a lab. Don’t carry those thoughts into this program because it’s easy to get into a lab, so there’s no need to rush. Instead, talk to the principal investigators and current students in the lab about your potential project and their work.” This way, those interested in learning more about the program can cultivate relationships before starting their educational journey at Harvard Medical School.

These connections are designed to last long after they cross the graduation stage. According to Zhou, this support made all the difference for his future. “To be honest, I wasn’t ready for a PhD program after undergrad. This program was a nice transition from biochemistry, which is a very broad topic. I was able to apply my biological knowledge to a specific biomedical field, which is the value of this master’s program. Doctoral programs are intense, and I needed a transition. I’m ready now.”

Learn more about the Master of Medical Sciences in Immunology program.

Written by Bailey Merlin