Submitted by sws139
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Black in STEM
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Alexandria Koehl
Major and Degree Pursued: Science, B.S.
Prospective Graduation Year: 2023
Current Position: Undergraduate Research Assistant, Gary King Lab, Penn State College of Health and Human Development; Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, Penn State; Clinic Intern, Penn State University Health Services
What motivates you to do/pursue science and/or medicine?
Supporting underserved communities motivates me to pursue medicine. Medicine is about partnership—coming alongside individuals and becoming a part of a ripple effect. I want to help others make informed decisions and advocate for themselves. That starts with establishing trust, rapport, and being present, which is at the heart of medicine.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month means celebrating the leaders, trailblazers, and role models in the Black community of the past and present. It’s a time to remind ourselves of the groundbreaking contributions Black individuals have made in science and all fields. I also believe it is a time to reflect on the medical and ethical atrocities in the treatment of and experimentation on Black communities to ensure that we will do and be better now.