Alumna Spotlight: Camryn Berry ’21 – Turning Personal Adversity into Scientific Advocacy

WPI Biomedical Engineering alumna Camryn Berry is blazing a trail in rare disease research, and she’s doing it with remarkable purpose. Now a Ph.D. candidate at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Camryn is investigating the pain mechanisms of fibrous dysplasia (FD), a rare skeletal disorder she knows intimately: she was diagnosed with FD at just six years old.

FD is caused by a non-hereditary genetic mutation that leads to fragile bones and affects multiple body systems, including bones, hormones, and skin. In Camryn’s case, it meant undergoing 21 surgeries between the ages of six and thirteen to preserve basic functions like breathing and speaking. Her life changed dramatically after starting treatment with a repurposed osteoporosis medication recommended by the NIH, ending her need for further surgeries.

Her passion for science was sparked at 15 during a visit to the NIH, where a medical researcher explained her condition using her own biopsy slides. “It was the first time I saw how research could help people like me,” Camryn recalls. That moment ignited a passion that has shaped her career ever since.

At WPI, Camryn embraced the challenges of a rigorous BME program during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She attributes her success to WPI’s supportive environment, which taught her the importance of collaboration and self-advocacy. Professors like George Pins encouraged her to pursue research specifically focused on FD, profoundly influencing her academic direction.

One of the notable projects of Camryn at WPI involved developing a bioreactor to study cancer metastasis for her Major Qualifying Project (MQP) and traveling to Israel for her Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP). This project coincided with her participation in an NIH clinical trial, significantly enhancing her understanding of international healthcare systems and patient advocacy.

Today, Camryn proudly identifies as a "patient scientist," bridging her personal and professional lives in meaningful ways. At Boston Children’s Hospital, she leads a study in which FD patients often meet her as the first fellow patient they’ve encountered. It’s a surreal experience—working alongside the very clinicians who once treated her, now as peers.

Beyond the lab, Camryn is an active advocate. She serves on the Patient Advisory Council for the Fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright Syndrome (FD/MAS) Alliance and has spoken on Capitol Hill, championing increased funding for rare diseases, improved insurance coverage, and faster FDA approvals. She believes scientists must also be communicators, especially in an era of growing public mistrust in science. “It’s both a responsibility and a privilege,” she says.

Camryn recently shared her story in a Patient Perspectives Podcast episode, offering a powerful firsthand account of navigating life with a rare disease and shaping a research career in its wake. 

 🎧Listen to Spotify     📺Watch on YouTube

She also recorded an episode of the 1 of 20 Podcast, which will be released in May 2025.

Camryn’s connection to WPI extends beyond academics, it's also where she found her future partner. She and fellow BME alumnus Bishoy Abdelmalek met during their junior year and quickly discovered they had more in common than just shared courses. The couple got engaged last August during a picturesque trip to Greece; a moment Camryn describes as “beautiful and perfect.” Their shared love for WPI brought them back to campus last summer, where they led a tour for Camryn’s high school robotics team, hoping to spark the same passion for engineering and discovery in the next generation.

For Camryn Berry, science isn’t just a career. It’s a calling shaped by lived experience, compassion, and a deep desire to make a difference. And she’s just getting started.