Vilma Kodyte is a Master of Science in Bioethics student at Harvard Medical School. She graduated from Reed College with a degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. As an only child of adoptive parents, she has a special interest in reproductive medicine, particularly in preimplantation and prenatal genetic testing. She has published work on how sperm DNA fragmentation impacts various assisted reproductive technology outcomes. She is deeply invested in the ethical implications of scientific advancements, inspired to promote culturally sensitive counseling and to ensure accessibility while upholding patient autonomy and safety. Her future work will investigate ways to promote best counseling practices for these genetic technologies and the potential of these tests to restructure conceptions of family identity.

Read Vilma's essay: "Take Your Pick: Exploring the Moral Permissibility of Denying Access to Polygenic Embryo Screening through the Lenses of Autonomy and Justice"

Michelle Bosché, a Pathways MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, received honorable mention for her essay: "Investigational Vaccine Implementation in Emerging Outbreaks: A Case of Marburg Virus in Rwanda"

*This award is funded by a fund originally created as the Dr. Henry K. Beecher Prize. Before 2026, the Annual Bioethics Essay Award was referred to as the Beecher Prize.