Boston, MASSACHUSETTS — Ann Mariel Recto Villanueva, daughter of Gemma and Ariel Villanueva, proudly graduates as Magna Cum Laude from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, with dual majors in Bachelor of Science in Biology from School of Arts and Science and in Biotechnology from School of Engineering.

Born and raised in the village of Fagatogo, she was Co-Valedictorian of the Samoana High School Class of 2022. She went on to further her education at Tufts University (with an undergraduate acceptance rate of 9.7% in 2022), where she made history as the only student in her class from American Samoa.

Ann Mariel was a four-year recipient of the BLAST Cohort 11 Scholar and Knez Scholarship, which provided her with a full ride scholarship throughout her time at Tufts. On top of being a full-time student, she immersed herself in research and gained hands-on experience across a range of prestigious institutions.

In the summers of her college years, she served as a Clinical Trial Diversity Intern at Takeda Pharmaceutical (2023), a Research Assistant at Biohaven (2024), and a Puipui Malu Manatu Research Assistant I at American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition (2025). At Tufts, she worked as an Undergraduate Research Intern in Dr. Michael Levin’s Lab during her junior year and as an Undergraduate Volunteer Research Assistant in Dr. Basak Icli’s Lab at Tufts Medical Center during her senior year. Each of her research experiences fostered her interest in studying diseases disproportionately affecting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) community.

Beyond the lab, she helped coordinate volunteer initiatives across the Greater Boston area through Tufts Project SHARE during her freshman year. From her second year of college onward, she served as Communication and Outreach Chair for the Tufts First Gen Collective, creating space and advocating for first generation students at Tufts University.

Her achievements are lovingly dedicated to her parents, Gemma and Ariel, whose sacrifices and unwavering love made every dream possible for their kids. Through long days behind the smoke of a barbeque grill, they gave everything so she could have everything. This accomplishment is much as it is hers. To her siblings, Clare, Ariel Jr., and Kenneth, for the constant love and cheer that carried her through.