2025 News 2025: Pair of pre-med alums begin medical school at UMass Chan

This fall, two recent graduates of UMass Dartmouth's biology program, Ashley Street '21 and Diego Marroquin '22, embarked on the next phase of their medical careers at the UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA.  

Their journeys, marked by academic excellence and a commitment to underserved communities, reflect the robust preparation provided by UMassD pre-medical advisors and the university's mission to serve as an intellectual catalyst for economic, social, and cultural transformation. 

Medicine rooted in community 

For Street, the path to medical school included pivotal experiences that solidified her desire to help underserved communities. After graduating from UMass Dartmouth, she worked as a post-graduate researcher at UMass Chan, conducting RNA bench research for two years before joining a fellowship program where she scribed in a primary care clinic.  

"As someone from an underserved community, I'm determined to provide care to those communities and hope to work with a patient population as diverse as Worcester's," she explained. "The inclusive environment at UMass Chan and their commitment to preparing physicians to serve in underserved areas resonate deeply with my future goals." 

Street's undergraduate years were instrumental in preparing for medical school. She credits UMass Dartmouth's biology program for its guidance and the pre-med advising program for connecting her to opportunities like the Summer Enrichment Program at UMass Chan. 

"My biology faculty helped me pick the appropriate courses to form a competitive medical school application, and my pre-med advisor helped me craft my applications and prepare for medical school interviews," she said. "The support I received was invaluable." 

Commitment to serving vulnerable populations 

After graduating from UMass Dartmouth, Marroquin worked as a family medicine scribe at the Hahnemann Family Health Center in Worcester, where he witnessed the profound bonds between healthcare providers and their patients. He also became a qualified Spanish interpreter for the Center for Health Impact in Worcester, bridging barriers between providers and patients to ensure accessible treatment to the best quality care. 

"I observed the power of longitudinal relationships and the impact of compassionate care in these roles," he said. "One patient's passing showed me a side of medicine I hadn't seen before and underscored the importance of empathy and connection in healthcare. It solidified my desire to serve those who need it most." 

Marroquin credits his time at UMass Dartmouth with providing him with the academic foundation and support to succeed as a medical school applicant. 

"The biology curriculum covered everything I needed for the MCAT, and my professors were instrumental in my preparation," he said. "The pre-med advising program guided me through the application process, making my application cycle a success." 

Accepted to 14 medical schools, including two Ivy League institutions, Marroquin ultimately chose UMass Chan, drawn by its sense of community—a quality he valued during his time at UMassD. "UMass Chan's supportive environment stood out to me. Undeniably, medical school will be challenging, and at those times, I know I'll rely on that community to support me." 

A renowned biology program 

Known for its commitment to student success and career readiness, UMass Dartmouth's biology program continues to empower graduates to excel in their chosen fields. 100% of biology graduates in the class of 2021 and 98% of biology graduates in the class of 2022 were employed or enrolled in graduate studies within six months of graduating. 

"The biology program provides quality education, advising, and mentoring which gives our students the tools they need to achieve their dreams," said Biology Professor and Chairperson Mark Silby. "We could not be prouder of Ashley and Diego as they begin the next step in their journeys." 

Advice for aspiring medical students 

Street and Marroquin both encourage aspiring medical students to seek resources and support to make their dreams a reality. "Opportunities are out there for those willing to work hard. Apply for every scholarship you're eligible for, big and small – they all add up," Marroquin advised. 

Street added, "Don't hesitate to ask schools about scholarships and grants. Medical school is expensive, but resources like the Association of American Medical Colleges' programs and newsletters can help you find opportunities that make a significant difference."  

The power of public education 

Both Marroquin and Street's journeys highlight the transformative role of public education, both at UMass Dartmouth and UMass Chan.  

"Public education allowed me to graduate from UMass Dartmouth debt-free, which enabled me to focus on academics and extracurricular activities without financial burden," Street said. "Now, as a Massachusetts resident attending the Commonwealth's only public medical school, I'm grateful for the privilege of continuing my education in this way." 

"My biology faculty helped me pick the appropriate courses to form a competitive medical school application, and my pre-med advisor helped me craft my applications and prepare for medical school interviews. The support I received was invaluable."