Wellness Student Spotlight: Yishak Woldetsadik, GSBS26

My name is Yishak Woldetsadik, and I'm originally from Ethiopia. I received my PhD from Dr. Andrew Camilli's lab in the Molecular Biology and Microbiology program. My research focused on the fascinating world of bacterial warfare with bacteriophages (phages), which are viruses that kill bacteria. I discovered novel molecular mechanisms of how Vibrio cholerae, a human pathogen, fights back against these phages and how phages
can overcome these defenses.

Who is someone who has had an impact on you during your professional degree program?

While pursuing a PhD is undeniably challenging, the community I built at Tufts transformed my experience. Close friendships with other students gave me people who understood the journey and could talk through both science and struggles. Faculty advisors who genuinely cared about my development guided me through setbacks. Together, they played a crucial role in my success and made the challenge worthwhile.

What is one activity you have done that contributed to your physical, mental, or emotional wellbeing over the course of your time at Tufts?

Playing soccer became my outlet during grad school. Having regular games gave me something to look forward to each week and helped me stay physically and mentally balanced. Being close to family and friends also reminded me there was life beyond the lab and gave me perspective when experiments weren't working. No matter how stressful life got, having a community outside of academia helped me in various aspects of my well-being.

What is something you have done in your professional degree program that you are proud of?

I'm most proud of overcoming my fear of public speaking. I've always been nervous speaking in front of audiences, especially other experts in the field. But through consistent practice and presentations throughout the program, I built the confidence to communicate science effectively without fear. Similarly, I'm proud of pursuing an independent research project to completion despite the challenging nature of discovering new knowledge. Both experiences taught me that growth happens when you push through discomfort.

What is a challenging situation that you did not think you would overcome, but you did?

Getting to the finish line of the PhD!

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in pursuing this career?

Racing against a larger lab working on the same research question that I was pursuing. The intense months that followed pushed me harder than I'd ever worked, but it taught me how much I truly cared about my research and showed me I could maintain quality science even under extreme pressure.

What is something you wish you knew at the start of your journey? What is a piece of advice you would give your past self?

I would tell myself that the work will always be there, but life experiences won't wait. Although working hard is important, there are experiences to have outside the lab that make you not just a better person, but ultimately a better scientist too.

What will you miss most about being at Tufts and/or living in Boston?

I'll be staying around Boston, but I'll miss seeing my wonderful friends every day, the wholesome wellness center activities, and the nurturing academic environment unique to Tufts!

What is one thing you are looking forward to most in your life post-grad?

I'm most excited to finally start my career as a scientist and put my training to work in the real world. I'm looking forward to better financial stability, but mostly just having more time to keep learning new things, explore different interests, and spend time with loved ones.