Rajvi Parmar | Class of 2027

Rajvi Parmar entered the Master of Medical Sciences in Therapeutic Sciences program at Harvard Medical School with a clear goal: to better understand how scientific data moves from the bench to decisions that shape patient care. With a background spanning academic research and industry-based translational science, Parmar was drawn to a program that could bridge experimental rigor, clinical relevance, and therapeutic development.

Parmar earned her bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology and biochemistry from the University of Rhode Island, where she first discovered her interest in research while studying antimicrobial peptides. As an undergraduate, she worked on projects aimed at developing peptides capable of inhibiting bacterial and viral replication, an experience that solidified her focus on applying molecular insights to real-world health challenges.

After graduation, Parmar transitioned into industry, joining Bristol Myers Squibb as an associate research scientist. There, she supported translational immunology, biomarker discovery, and oncology programs, working on projects closely tied to clinical trials and patient data.

One major focus of her work involved non-small cell lung cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. Because many patients fail to respond to treatment or develop resistance over time, Parmar’s team conducted longitudinal, high-dimensional immune profiling to monitor how immune responses evolved throughout therapy. Using multiparametric flow cytometry, they tracked immune system changes across multiple time points, generating insights into treatment outcomes and mechanisms of resistance.

While the work was deeply engaging, it also raised new questions. “After working in industry for a little bit, I wanted a deeper understanding of how data was shaping therapeutic decisions,” Parmar explains. She found herself seeking to more intentionally connect experimental design, data interpretation, and patient outcomes—an interest that ultimately led her to pursue graduate training.

The Master of Medical Sciences in Therapeutic Sciences program stood out to her for its explicit focus on translational thinking. “I think it’s the perfect blend of scientific rigor, clinical relevance, and translational focus,” Parmar says. She was particularly drawn to the program’s emphasis on experimental design, assay development, and rigorous research conduct, as well as its integration of professional and leadership skill-building alongside technical training.

Now a first-year student in the class of 2027, Parmar describes the program as both demanding and energizing. Courses are highly discussion-driven, often requiring students to defend scientific decisions in ways that mirror industry and research environments. “It’s not about memorizing content,” she notes. “You’re constantly asked to think critically and justify your approach, which has been helpful in preparing for how science works outside the classroom.”

Parmar also has found the small, diverse cohort to be a defining aspect of the experience. Students come from a wide range of academic, professional, and personal backgrounds, yet the group has formed a close-knit community. “Even with how different we all are, the blend somehow works,” she says. “We’ve really leaned on each other for support as we navigate this new experience together.”

As she looks ahead to her thesis, Parmar is preparing to begin research in the lab of Sara Buhrlage, PhD, where the work sits at the intersection of chemical biology, target discovery, and therapeutic application. While her specific project is still being finalized, she knows that her focus will remain rooted in cancer biology and oncology, with an emphasis on translational relevance and therapeutic impact. “The lab’s work aligns with my interests in drug development and connecting basic mechanisms to clinical application,” she says.

Beyond her own program, Parmar has appreciated the opportunity to interact with students across Harvard Medical School’s broader master’s community, particularly through campus housing. Exposure to peers pursuing different disciplines and career paths has helped her reflect more deeply on her own goals.

After completing the Therapeutic Sciences program, Parmar is considering multiple paths, including a return to industry in a more translational role or pursuing a PhD to deepen her scientific independence. While still weighing her options, she sees the program’s training as foundational regardless of the direction she chooses.

For prospective students, Parmar emphasizes the importance of engagement. “This program has something to offer no matter your background or career goals,” she says. “My advice is to be proactive. Use the resources, seek out mentorship, and take advantage of the opportunities here. The faculty truly want you to succeed, and the more you put into the program, the more you’ll get out of it.”

Written by Bailey Merlin