Bryce Wozniak

Exploring Intersections 

In August 2022, Bryce Wozniak began his doctoral program at the Bloomberg School in Baltimore.

His PhD program in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department prepares students for a range of biomedical and health sciences careers, including in academia, industry, and policy. Students have the option to tailor their program to their interests and career goals. 

For someone like Wozniak, who wanted to explore the intersection of public health and medicine, this was a massive advantage. 

“One of the beautiful things about Hopkins is that it pulls together such a wide perspective of people that all have had different experiences and backgrounds,” Wozniak says. “We have so many different voices that are all working together.”

“One of the beautiful things about Hopkins is that it pulls together such a wide perspective of people that all have had different experiences and backgrounds."

After enrolling, Wozniak began working with Eneda Toska, PhD, MS, an assistant professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. In Toska’s lab, Wozniak focused on sequencing data from a patient’s tumors to find out how these breast cancers are becoming resistant to endocrine treatments.

“It’s given me a more holistic view of what my work can accomplish,” Wozniak says. 

Wozniak attended Virginia Tech and majored in biochemistry, with a minor in chemistry. He graduated early and planned to remain at Virginia Tech to work on an accelerated Master of Science in Biochemistry, but when his mentor’s lab was shut down due to unforeseen medical circumstances, Wozniak needed to pivot.

He found his solution in the Bloomberg School’s BMB PhD program. While he was researching programs, Woziak would spend hours scrolling through the list of award-winning faculty and mentors—all of whom, he felt, were working on critical and fascinating questions. The possibilities excited him, but he was initially nervous about whether he would be accepted. 

“I had known of Johns Hopkins as a hypothetical for my entire life,” Wozniak says. “It was a larger name than I felt I could apply to.” 

“Being here feels like you’re a part of something larger. It’s awe-inspiring every day.”

Wozniak is set to graduate from the Bloomberg School in May 2027. In the meantime, he volunteers at the Baltimore National Aquarium, assisting with marine mammal rehabilitation, and hopes to work as a TA for a cancer biology course. After his PhD, he plans to pursue a teaching career in cellular or cancer biology. 

“Being here feels like you’re a part of something larger,” Wozniak says. “It’s awe-inspiring every day.”

The Bloomberg School is proud to accept students from all backgrounds who are passionate about public health issues. Whether you’re considering a career change or seeking to deepen your expertise in an area you’re already working in, we can help match you to a program to help you reach your goals. Fill out the form above to start receiving emails today, or check out our academic program finder to start researching which degree program is right for you.