Submitted by sws139
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2025 Black in STEM
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Students
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Alecia Smith-McLean
Major and degree pursued: Forensic Science (Forensic Molecular Biology option), bachelor of science
Prospective graduation year: 2025
Experience: undergraduate researcher, James Hodges group, Penn State Department of Chemistry (2023–2025)
What motivates you to do science?
My passion for pathology has always been the driving force behind my career aspirations. I pursue medicine with the goal of advancing patient care while also integrating more forensic applications into the field, bridging the gap between medical science and justice.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination that has kept me and countless other Black students at Penn State moving forward. As a representation of both Black excellence and the growing inclusion of Black individuals in medicine, I see this month as a celebration of what is possible when we are recognized and supported.