Hello! I'm Melissa Prentiss - I am a 36 years old, born and raised in Massachusetts. I am a research scientist in ophthalmology and have worked at NIBR for over 10 years. I am the oldest of 4 siblings, and we are a tight knit family. I love to cook, bake, and draw. I also love horses and have been horseback riding since I was a little girl.
I was never very athletic growing up and couldn't even run a mile in high school, but one of my dreams has always been running in the Boston Marathon. Back in 2017, my father passed away after a 5-month battle with pancreatic cancer. It devastated our family, but it pushed me to start running and reach for a goal. I had to learn "how" to run, and after some time, I ran my first marathon in 2021. Since then, I have become addicted! I have found peace and a renewed sense of appreciation for my body and health through running. I love pushing myself and having a goal to work towards, and I dedicate every marathon in memory of my father. chose to apply for the 128th Boston Marathon since my father's birthday is January 28th (1/28). This is also how I chose my fundraising goal! I have made so many friends through the running community, and now I can't see my life without it! I
Autism is something that is very close to my heart. Both my sister and my nephew are non-verbal autistics. My sister, Heather, is 33 years old. She amazes me every day. She has given me such a strong sense of empathy and compassion. She helps me to appreciate the little things, and her zest for life is awe-inspiring. My nephew, Tyler, is almost 5 years old. He is the sweetest, most loving little boy. He loves Puppy Dog pals, is a whiz at techology, and recently developed a love for the ocean. Heather and Tyler are very similar, but there is a stark contrast in the number of programs and resources available to Tyler that were not available to Heather in her childhood. The Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism has played a large part in the expansion and development of these programs, and I've seen first-hand how critical these are to the enrichment and support of autistic people and their families. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to support the Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism and give back to a community that has done so much for my family.