Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

May 13, 2025

Abigail Arnold | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

On May 18, 2025, Brandeis University will hold its 74th Commencement. The afternoon Graduate Ceremony will honor students who earned a graduate degree in August 2024, February 2025, or May 2025, including 205 Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) students. Shirley Ann Jackson, a distinguished physicist and academic leader who is president emerita of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, will be the keynote speaker for the ceremony and will receive an honorary degree from Brandeis. GSAS spoke to some graduates about their experiences at GSAS, the people who made a difference, and their post-graduation plans.

Víkko Suárez Casanova, who graduated in February with a PhD in Neuroscience and who will serve as the marshal for the Graduate Commencement Ceremony, is currently working at Choate, Hall, & Stewart as a Staff Scientist in the Patents & Intellectual Property (PIP) Group. He offered shout-outs to those at Brandeis who helped him along his path: “I really enjoyed the community at Brandeis. I found everyone to be friendly, helpful and grounding. Graduate school is a long-haul with a lot of ups and downs, but no matter how bad things got or how ready I was to drop out and open a bakery, there was always a support system ready to jump in. And that support system is not just my fellow students, but faculty and staff as well. I'll share that some of my best pep talks came from the lovely ladies at Einstein's Bagels. And my transition from bench science to the legal world would not have been possible without the support of my advisor, Steve Van Hooser, the Office of Technology Licensing – shoutout to Rebecca Menapace, Rajnish Kaushik, and Fern Shamis – and Marika McCann. These individuals provided me with career coaching, resume review, network connections, and pep talks.” Suárez Casanova is especially excited to experience Commencement, saying, “Being a first-gen student, graduation is a huge point of celebration and pride for me and my family. I am looking forward to standing next to my fellow graduates and remembering all the experiences that got us to the finish line. I am especially excited to see my parents' faces when they see me cross the stage in my regalia. Commencement for me is also celebrating them and honoring all the sacrifices they made to afford me the opportunity to study in the United States.”

Chenmeng Li is graduating this May with a Master of Arts degree in Musicology. She shared that when she first arrived at Brandeis, she wasn’t sure what direction to take with her studies but that the faculty in her program were there to help her. “When I first got here, I felt pretty lost, but things started to shift when I took Introduction to Ethnomusicology and the Advanced Seminar in Middle Eastern Music with Dr. Bradford Garvey,” she said. “Those classes helped me find a new sense of direction. They not only introduced me to key theoretical frameworks, but also made me realize that I wanted to explore topics that connect music to identity, place, and power. That’s when I started thinking seriously about Xinjiang hip hop as a potential thesis topic — it felt both personally meaningful and academically rich.” In the fall, Li will be off to a PhD program in Musicology at the University of Oregon. “Brad was a huge help during my application season — he answered so many of my questions,” she said. “I’d also like to thank Dr. Michael Heller and Dr. Taylor Ackley for writing recommendation letters for my PhD applications.” Li is excited to cross the stage during Commencement. “It’s just a moment, but it means a lot.”

Andrea Guerrero graduated with a PhD in Neuroscience in February and was full of positive memories from her time at Brandeis. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with my amazing thesis laboratory - the Turrigiano Lab! They are a group of great people who I have gotten to know closely through the years,” she said. “My favorite memory is going on a lab outing to Kimball Farms with them last summer, specifically going on the bumper boat ride in which my adviser, Dr. Gina Turrigiano, managed to bump each of us at least once and was laughing the entire time! I would like to give a shout-out to all the Turrigiano lab members for making my PhD years at Brandeis so enjoyable and unforgettable!” Beginning this summer, Guerrero will be conducting research as a postdoctoral associate in New Jersey. “I am grateful for the support of my family, friends, and laboratory throughout my graduate school years!” she said. “I am also thankful for the Career Development Services at Brandeis for providing me with a fellowship prize as well as wonderful resources and events that helped me to decide on my post-graduate school career path.” For Commencement, Guerrero is excited about “walking across the stage, hearing the moving and inspiring speeches, and the nostalgia of all my fond memories of graduate school that will inevitably pop into my mind.”

Noella Masengesho graduated in February with a Masters of Science in Biotechnology. “Being a student at Brandeis has greatly expanded my career horizons. This experience helped me realize that I am capable of more than ever imagined,” she said. Masengesho gave shout-outs to faculty, staff, and fellow students: “One of my favorite memories is the late-night study sessions with my classmates. We shared ideas for group projects, supported each other through the challenges of graduate school, and dreamed about our future careers. I want to give a special thank you to Dr. Neil Simister, Director of the Biotechnology program. He strongly supported my decision to pursue graduate studies in this program and encouraged me to keep going, even during the most difficult times when I thought about giving up. There were many moments when his support helped me push forward, and I dedicate this degree to him. I also want to thank Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Rebecca Prigge and Dr. Jane Theriault. Their mental and emotional support created an environment where I felt seen, valued, and encouraged.” Following Commencement, Masengesho will be attending Officer Training School to serve as a commissioned chemist officer in the U.S. Air Force. She hopes to pursue a second master’s degree in environmental engineering or energy and eventually to earn a PhD in national security strategy. At Commencement, she looks forward to celebrating and taking photos with her classmates. “Most of all, I can’t wait to cross the stage. I am looking forward to wearing my graduation cap with pride.”

The 2025 graduates also had advice to share with the graduate students to come:

• Stop and enjoy the moment. Graduate school is rigorous and you will inevitably be bogged down by your research and studies, so definitely take time to connect with your peers. Additionally, take advantage of wellness resources on campus so that you are the best version of you that you can be, even during hectic times – Andrea Guerrero
• Take a good rest when you’re stressed out — it actually helps a lot and makes everything go more smoothly than you’d expect – Chenmeng Li
• Be proud of your background, and use your experiences to guide your path. Do not let challenges become an excuse to give up. Graduate school is more than just completing assignments; it’s about building a foundation that supports your goals and mission – Noella Masengesho
• Celebrate this huge achievement, and also make sure you take a moment to unwind before jumping into the next great adventure. As we all know, Brandeis graduates are ambitious people ready to change the world, so it's important to also plan time to relax and let your body recover from the late nights and stressful moments! – Víkko Suárez Casanova

GSAS extends our warmest congratulations to all our graduates. We can’t wait to celebrate with you on May 18!