Undergraduate Students

Stacey Ajala

Major and degree pursued: Integrative Science (Biological Sciences and Health Professions option), bachelor of science

Prospective graduation year: 2025

Experience: undergraduate researcher, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (summer 2023) and Weill Cornell Medicine (summer 2022); medication technician, Harmony at State College; emergency medical technician, Penn State University Ambulance Service; president, American Medical Student Association, Penn State chapter

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

What motivates you to do science?

I’m motivated by the opportunity to improve lives by offering equitable and compassionate health care to my future patients. I’m excited to build meaningful relationships and trust with my patients. Both my mom and sister faced a challenging birth experience, to say the least, but all it took was one health-care worker to advocate for them to turn that situation around. I strive to be that advocate with my expertise as a health-care worker. I aspire to keep up to date and continue to understand health disparities, listen to my patients, and decide the best course of action based off of the patient’s concerns first. I want to be the doctor that the lower socioeconomic status individuals need but don’t have.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is a time to honor the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. It’s a reminder to celebrate culture, reflect on struggles, and continue striving for equity, justice, and inclusion for future generations. I love the skin that I am in, and I would not want it any other way.