Dr. Thywill S.

Dr. Sabblah served as a teaching and research assistant at the University of Central Florida for over seven years. He delivered classroom and laboratory instruction, designed experimental protocols, and provided individualized academic support. He has directly mentored undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students, guiding them through hypothesis development, experimental execution, data interpretation, poster preparation, and scientific writing. Dr. Sabblah was awarded the UCF-SGA Travel Award by the American Society for Cell and was recognized with the Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship at the end of his PhD training. 

Dr. Sabblah’s training includes extensive experience in translational and basic science research, particularly in neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease. As a postdoctoral scientist at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute at the University of South Florida, and previously at Vanderbilt University, he investigated molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying disease processes, including APP-mediated signaling, amyloid plaque pathology, and neurobiological signaling pathways. His work required mastery of experimental design, data analysis, imaging techniques, and strict adherence to ethical and safety standards.

Beyond academia, Dr. Sabblah has translated his research expertise into the biopharmaceutical industry, where he has worked as a Senior Medical Writer and Assistant Medical Director supporting medical affairs teams across neurology, immunology, oncology, gastroenterology, and rare disease. In these roles, he synthesizes clinical trial data, collaborates with physician experts, and ensures scientific accuracy and compliance in high-stakes medical communications. This industry experience gives him a unique perspective on how academic research connects to real-world clinical development, regulatory standards, and patient care—insight that is invaluable to students considering MD, PhD, or MD/PhD pathways.

A defining feature of Dr. Sabblah’s mentorship style is his emphasis on scientific thinking over rote success. He trains students to understand the research process holistically, including how to ask meaningful questions, deal with ambiguous or negative data, maintain detailed records, and communicate findings with clarity and integrity. His background in grant writing, manuscript preparation, and conference presentations allows him to coach students not only on “doing research,” but on presenting themselves as emerging professionals through abstracts, personal statements, and interviews. Many of the students he has mentored pursued advanced training in graduate, medical, or professional programs and have been accepted to institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Florida, UC Irvine, and others. 

Dr. Sabblah offers technical training and strategic guidance rooted in lived experience. Having navigated graduate school, postdoctoral training, teaching, research leadership, and industry science, he understands the challenges, uncertainties, and decision points students face. His mentorship is characterized by honesty, structure, and encouragement, helping students build resilience, scientific confidence, and a compelling academic narrative.