May 07, 2025
Kayla Fordyce ’25 and Kylie Fordyce ’25 embraced science research, leadership, service
By Martha Young
The road to Providence College wasn’t a shared vision for Kayla Fordyce ’25 and Kylie Fordyce ’25, identical twins from Killingworth, Connecticut. In fact, it almost didn’t happen.
“We really wanted to go to different schools,” Kayla admits, looking back to the final weeks of high school when she was leaning toward another university. Kylie had already committed to PC, but a last-minute tour changed everything for Kayla.
“I couldn’t get it out of my head. The spirit, the size, the sense of belonging — I committed on the very last day,” Kayla says. That split-second decision, she adds, became “the best last-minute decision I’ve ever made.”
Both entered PC with plans for medical careers — Kayla with an interest in becoming a surgeon and Kylie with an interest in pediatrics — but took different approaches.
Kayla, drawn to the operating room, chose a biology major. She immersed herself in research on neurodegenerative diseases, shadowed surgeons, and took on a leadership role as a junior research associate at the Yale Aortic Institute. Her neurobiology work with Ileana Soto Reyes, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, focused on Niemann-Pick Disease Type C, a progressive genetic disorder, and fueled her desire to tackle rare diseases with empathy and precision.
She also embraced an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare, adding sociology as a second major during her sophomore year with the encouragement of Eve Veliz-Moran, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the sociology department.
“I wanted to understand the human side of medicine, not just the science,” Kayla said. She believes an interdisciplinary approach will help her understand and connect with patients.
That philosophy extended to her founding of the Friar EMS club. It works with the Office of Public Safety to promote medical emergency education on campus and to create opportunities for student EMTs to play an active role in campus safety and medical response.
Kylie carved her niche with double majors in biology and psychology, guided by her interest in pediatric medicine. Encouraged by faculty mentors like David Williams, general chemistry lab coordinator, and her adviser, Brett Pellock, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, she took on roles as a general chemistry teaching assistant and a neurobiology research assistant.
A 12-day fieldwork trip to Belize with Patrick Ewanchuk, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, opened her eyes to the importance of environmental biology and hands-on learning.
Kylie’s research, including a project examining the distribution of the Alzheimer’s-related protein Presenilin, gave her a deeper appreciation for the intersection of mental and physical health. She credits the experiences she gained over two summers working at Connecticut Children’s Hospital for solidifying her intention to pursue a medical career in pediatrics.
Both Kayla and Kylie became leaders on campus — often in similar spaces, but never in the same ways. Kayla’s role as president of the Student Congress positioned her at the forefront of college governance, while Kylie, who also served on Student Congress, found her stride as the Student Life Committee Chair, shaping student experiences behind the scenes.
Kylie took on spiritual and community leadership, guiding peers through the Lighthouse Retreat and Peer Ministry, and helping organize the “Friars Support the Izzy Foundation” campaign to raise awareness and funds for families affected by pediatric cancer. For Kylie, these roles were more than titles — they were ways to connect, to give, and to grow.
“I’ve learned that leadership is about presence. Whether you’re helping a new student find their way during orientation or raising funds for a cause, it’s all about being present for others,” Kylie said.
Kayla, too, found joy in creating meaningful moments — whether organizing Senior Ring Weekend, participating in Unified Basketball with Special Olympics, or running a WDOM radio show. Representing Student Congress during Academic Convocation in August 2024, Kayla encouraged students to embrace new experiences.
“It all started with a last-minute decision,” Kayla said in her speech. “This place gave me everything I didn’t know I needed. Dive in headfirst. You never know who will help change the trajectory of your career. Expose yourself to everything — it could change your whole path.”
It has been her own philosophy as well.
“Trying new things has always been my compass,” Kayla said. “PC let me be both a scientist and a student leader, an athlete and an advocate.”
Though their resumes overlap — research positions, orientation leaders, intramural sports — Kayla and Kylie intentionally forged individual identities at PC.
“It was important for us to grow as individuals,” Kylie said. “But over time, we saw how much we were drawn to similar values — service, learning, and leading.”
Kayla plans to take a gap year while applying to medical school, hoping to gain clinical experience at an orthopedic center in Boston. Kylie will take two gap years — a requirement for work as a clinical research coordinator — before she embarks on her career in medicine.
You’ve lived it — the late-night talks, the unexpected breakthroughs, the moment it all started to make sense. Whether you experienced it yourself or watched someone you love grow into who they’re meant to be, you know how powerful a Providence College education can be. A gift through The Fund for Providence College keeps that momentum going — opening doors for the next student to discover their purpose, pursue their passion, and make their mark.
