Gina Verrengia
2025 Dean’s Excellence Merit Scholarship Recipient
M.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
I was drawn to the M.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program here at Georgetown because of its intensive one-year format and strong emphasis on research and hands-on experience.
About Gina
Gina is from Queens, New York. Before coming to Georgetown Biomedical Graduate Education, she earned a Bachelor of Science from the Catholic University of America.
What experiences or goals led you to pursue graduate studies?
With my previous undergraduate background in biochemistry, I decided to pursue graduate studies to continue building on my education in biochemistry and further strengthen my laboratory skills. During my undergraduate years, I really enjoyed hands-on laboratory work and realized that advanced coursework while gaining practical experience would be essential preparation for a career in the biotech and biopharma industries.
How do you hope your graduate studies will build on what you learned as an undergraduate?
Through the M.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program, I aim to further expand my laboratory skills while deepening my understanding of molecular and biochemical techniques, with a focus on their practical applications in real-world settings. Overall, I hope my graduate studies will prepare me for a future career in the biotech or biopharma industries by advancing my laboratory knowledge and skills, as well as gaining hands-on experience.
Why did you choose your program at Georgetown BGE for your graduate studies?
I was drawn to the M.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology program here at Georgetown because of its intensive one-year format and strong emphasis on research and hands-on experience. I was especially excited for the internship opportunity during the second semester, where students can apply their knowledge to a professional research environment. Overall, the combination of comprehensive coursework and practical experience led me to this program at Georgetown.
What advice would you give to future BGE students?
For future BGE students, I would say to do your best to make the most of your time in the program and here in DC. While the coursework can be challenging at times, I think that it is also important to set aside time to explore DC and the surrounding DMV area. Even though this is my fifth year here in DC (as I also went to undergrad in DC), I’m still discovering new places to visit and things to do. The one-year program goes by incredibly fast, so make sure to have fun along the way!