Biotechnology master’s student, Mika Gallati recognized for outstanding academic accomplishment

With exceptional intellect and remarkable dedication, Mika Gallati earns top recognition for her groundbreaking research contributions to understanding neurodegeneration in ALS.

PROVIDENCE, RI [Brown University] — Among the hundreds of talented master's students at Brown University, one scholar has demonstrated extraordinary ability and commitment this year, making significant contributions to both her field and the scientific community.

Mika Gallati '25 Sc.M., a part-time master's student in biotechnology, has been selected for the 2025 Master's Award for Outstanding Academic Accomplishment.

"From the moment Mika joined our research group, she has been operating at the level of a Ph.D. student," says Anne C. Hart, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience. "She has the intellect required to ask good questions, and she is creative in her approach to solving problems."

For her master’s dissertation work, Gallati has undertaken a complex research project focused on identifying genes whose perturbation suppresses neurodegeneration in an invertebrate model of SOD-1 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This demanding work relies on sophisticated genetic approaches in C. elegans, requiring exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail and technical proficiency.

Gallati's primary research has successfully identified two different suppressor genes that decrease neurodegeneration in the SOD-1 ALS model. She is now investigating why the loss of function in these genes reduces neurodegeneration in ALS and other disease models. This work has significant implications for understanding the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and potential therapeutic approaches.

Through her research journey, Gallati has demonstrated all the qualities of an exceptional scientist.

"Mika understands foundational papers, picks up new concepts with ease, and frequently makes excellent suggestions for protocol design and experimental interpretation," notes Hart. "She taught herself genome sequencing analysis from online resources and serves as our lab expert in this area."

“ This award means a lot to me as my path in science has not been linear, but hard work and perseverance has led me to this moment. I love what I do and it is nice to have my work noticed by my mentor and the University. ”

Mika Gallati '25 Sc.M. Biotechnology

Gallati's accomplishments extend beyond her primary research project. She is already a co-author on one scientific manuscript with multiple others forthcoming. Her work has been presented in poster format at three different international scientific conferences, and she was awarded a Genetics Society of America Presidential Membership Initiative Award in 2022.

Beyond her research achievements, Gallati has made significant contributions to both education and community engagement. She has co-organized and taught two Summer@Brown high school courses and served as a teaching assistant for a graduate-level laboratory course, where she demonstrated exceptional communication skills and the ability to explain complex scientific concepts. Additionally, she actively participated in the Brown community by volunteering with the Brown Market Shares program and served as president of the Graduate Student Climbing Club.

What makes Gallati's accomplishments even more impressive is that she has achieved this level of excellence while maintaining full-time employment alongside her part-time studies.

Gallati has already been accepted to a Ph.D. program and will matriculate in fall 2025 at the Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research in Cologne, Germany, where she is expected to continue her trajectory of excellence in research and academic pursuits.

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Gallati and the other master's award winners will be honored at the Master’s Ceremony on Saturday, May 24, 2025 during Brown University’s 257th Commencement and Reunion Weekend.

Master's Award for Outstanding Academic Accomplishment

This award recognizes an outstanding academic accomplishment demonstrated by a Brown University master's student in any department or program while enrolled at the University.

View Past Recipients