Thavaleak Prum

Born in Cambodia, Thavaleak Prum moved to the United States with her family when she was 10 years old. Her childhood experiences were formative: She dreamed about finding ways to help other people live better lives. 

“I saw the pain and suffering of many poor families in Cambodia who didn’t have enough food, access to education or health care,” says Prum, who earned a B.S. in applied biomedical sciences from UMass Lowell. “I studied health sciences because I strongly believe that I can make a difference in people’s lives.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree, Prum worked as a laboratory technician at Charles River Laboratories for about five years. She then landed a position as a research technologist at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, which focuses on immunology and infectious diseases, and works there now. 

“I decided to come back to UML for my M.S. in applied biomedical sciences because I knew that my passion didn’t end with my first degree,” says Prum. “My science knowledge will allow me to improve the science field in Cambodia and have my country be more driven in science and research.”

While working full time and pursuing her master’s degree, she’s also raising two children. Prum was nervous about the workload when she first started the program, but she says that the supportive faculty and flexible program make it all possible.

“The professors have provided me with the confidence that I needed to succeed,” she says. “The courses challenge me, but the support from my professors and the hands-on laboratory experience was like a key unlocking the very in-depth knowledge taught in the classroom.”

She took the core courses online and now takes one in-person course each semester while working full time at the Ragon Institute. 

Once Prum completes her M.S., she’ll begin her Ph.D. studies at UMass Lowell, continuing her education to expand her scientific expertise. 

“My experience in the M.S. program has helped me develop my research and study skills that I know will have a significant impact on my doctoral work,” she says. “From the beginning, I always knew that pursuing the dream I always wanted meant continuing my education as far as I could go.”