Graduate Alumni Focus| Peter Azorsa, M.S.’25

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona in 2015 with a B.S. in molecular and cellular biology. After graduation, I worked full time in research across academia (Arizona Cancer Center), government (National Cancer Institute) and the biotech industry. My career in industry has focused on developing new immunotherapies to treat cancer at companies such as Precigen, Kite Pharma and BioNTech. In fall 2022, I began the biomedical sciences master’s program at Hood College, attending part time until my graduation in summer 2025.

A close friend of mine, an alumnus of Hood College’s BMS program, recommended it to me as I was looking to begin the next phase of my education. I wanted a master’s program flexible enough to allow me to continue working full time in biotech while strengthening my candidacy for Ph.D. programs in immunology.

Hood College gave me the opportunity to receive a graduate-level scientific education and grow as a scholar. The biomedical science curriculum was highly relevant to my work in biotech research, allowing me to directly apply my new knowledge to ongoing projects. Additionally, this academic experience strengthened my overall candidacy, culminating in my acceptance to the University of Michigan.

I enjoyed the small class sizes, which allowed for a more personalized learning experience and meaningful interactions with faculty. The support and guidance I received from them were invaluable to my growth as a student and inspired me to continue my education and training.

When I first started the BMS program, I was nervous—it had been seven years since I last took classes. On the first day, we introduced ourselves and shared our reasons for joining the program. I mentioned my goal of gaining acceptance to an immunology Ph.D. program. Immediately, Professor Cherry offered his encouragement, telling me it was a matter of “when, not if.” That moment made me realize how special this program was. The faculty of Hood’s BMS program were consistently supportive of my goals, and their passion shone through in their teaching.

My advice would be: don’t be afraid to change your approach to learning until you find what works for you. Learning is deeply personal, and there are many different paths to success. For those working full time while studying, it’s especially important to find a schedule you can realistically maintain—whether that means dedicated study days or late nights. The problem is rarely that you aren’t capable; it may simply be that your current learning strategy isn’t optimal. Remember, you are smarter than you think you are.

With a Ph.D. in immunology, I hope to apply my training to the continued development of cancer immunotherapies. Our immune system is incredibly powerful and leveraging it against cancer requires a deep understanding to ensure responsible and effective use. In recent years, there have been many breakthroughs, bringing new hope to patients and even cures in some cases. However, as the field advances, new challenges continue to emerge as we learn more about the ways cancer evades immune detection. I hope to contribute to overcoming these challenges and help pave the way for improved outcomes for cancer patients.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my mentors and peers. It’s called the scientific community for a reason—collaboration and shared knowledge are essential to progress. If anyone at Hood College ever wants to reach out for advice or simply to connect, I’m happy to chat. I can be reached via email at paa6@hood.edu or on LinkedIn. 

Inspired by Peter’s experiences at Hood College? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, including the biomedical science M.S., by clicking here.