More than 280 SCU students have been through the Health Care Ethics Internship Program. The Internship gives students the chance to explore firsthand important ethical issues in health care. In addition, Interns meet to reflect on their experiences, discuss classic and emerging issues in bioethics, and offer commentary and reflection about current health care issues and events. Many interns go on to careers in public health, biotechnology, or as health care providers.
Meet the 2024-25 Health Care Ethics Interns
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Meghan Abate '25 Meghan Abate is a senior from Winchester, Massachusetts. She is pursuing a neuroscience major and an economics minor. She hopes to attend medical school one day, and believes that exposing herself to ethically challenging experiences and conversations will help her become an informed and compassionate physician. Meghan is especially interested in the use of algorithmic decision support systems, assistive reproductive methods, and stem cell research. At SCU, Meghan volunteers as an EMT with SCU EMS. Additionally, she is a research assistant in Dr. Lang Chen’s Lab of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, having contributed to a publication examining the impacts of age on the memory of autistic individuals. Meghan is also on the leadership team of a Planned Parenthood GenAction club. Outside of SCU, she works as an EMT at concerts and events. In her free time, she enjoys walking and catching up with family. |
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Harpreet Bhasin '25 Harpreet Bhasin is a senior from Livermore, California, majoring in Biology with minors in Biotechnology and Public Health. He aspires to become a physician, with current interests in Cardiology and Radiology. Harpreet is eager to join the Healthcare Ethics internship to engage in discussions about systemic issues in healthcare and to contribute in developing equitable solutions that improve the standard of care and pave the way for innovative medical advancements. He is particularly interested in exploring the ethics of organ transplantation and experimental technologies. Through the in-person internship, Harpreet aims to deepen his understanding of medical bioethics within healthcare settings and learn how current medical practices can adapt and evolve to future advancements and ethical standards. This summer, Harpreet trained to become a licensed EMT and interned with a consulting startup that integrates bitcoin and lightning payment systems with direct primary care providers. Additionally, he serves as the lead clinic coordinator for a medical clinic at the Livermore Sikh Temple. |
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Cassandra Blake '25 Cassandra Blake is a senior from Olympia, Washington, double majoring in biology and public health science. She is an aspiring physician and is interested in allergy, immunology, and obstetrics and gynecology. Cassandra is excited to embark on this internship to learn more about ethical issues surrounding patient pain management, reproductive rights, and palliative care. Outside of this internship, Cassandra is also a research assistant in a microbiology lab and public health lab, a Valeriote Goldman Fellow, a peer health educator with the Wellness Center, a volunteer for the Study Abroad department, a chemistry and biochemistry peer educator, and a member of the University Honors Program. She spent last summer interning for Recovery Cafe San Jose and hopes to continue to serve in a community health setting before attending medical school. |
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Mateo Fesslmeier '26 Mateo Fesslmeier is a junior from Palo Alto, California, majoring in Biology. On campus he is a member of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams, and primarily focuses on distance events. This summer he will be working in Dr. Bayless’s cell biology lab which focuses on the function of cilia and how they relate to epilepsy. Mateo is keen on embarking on this internship to deepen his understanding of the multifaceted ethical issues that exist in the healthcare system. In the future, he hopes to work as a Podiatrist, provided dedicated care to his patients. |
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Krista Gorham '25 Krista Gorham is a senior from Albuquerque, New Mexico majoring in public health science with minors in biology and studio art. On campus, Krista is an EMT for the university's emergency medical team, a general chemistry lab TA, and an immersion coordinator for the Ignatian Center. This past year, Krista was the digital illustrator for an antenatal education app called "Maama Care," collaborating with Dr. Michele Parker and the Rose Academies based in Kampala, Uganda. Krista is particularly interested in the intersections of social justice and medicine, including the ethics of humanitarian aid, providing equitable care in underserved communities, and reproductive rights. As a Health Care Ethics Intern, she hopes to engage in meaningful discussion that challenges what it means to be a well-rounded provider, and take what she learns to inform future decision-making in a healthcare setting. Upon graduation, Krista hopes to attend nursing school and learn from those around her working in a community health environment. |
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Sarah Herrington '25 Sarah Herrington is a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is majoring in Biology. On campus, Sarah is a research assistant in Dr. Pascale Guiton’s lab studying infection mechanisms of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. She is also the Philanthropy chair of Delta Epsilon Mu, a pre-health fraternity, a teaching assistant in the Introductory Biology series and Math 12 Honors, and she is a mentor in the University Honors program. Outside of SCU, Sarah is a volunteer at Kaiser Santa Clara Medical Center, where she does patient transport. After SCU, she hopes to pursue a career in healthcare relating to pediatrics. Through the Healthcare Ethics Internship, Sarah hopes to improve her understanding of ethical dilemmas in order to be a more well-rounded and prepared healthcare professional. She is interested in the consequences of gender and racial biases, concerns in pediatric care and end-of-life decisions. She is excited to collaborate and discuss with her peers and get the opportunity to learn from the shadowing experience. |
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Tatum Holloway '25 My name is Tatum Holloway, and I’m a senior at Santa Clara University, majoring in Biology with a minor in Biotechnology. Originally from Fresno, California, I’m a student-athlete on both the cross-country and track and field teams, as well as a proud member of the pre-health sorority, Rho Psi Eta. This past summer I was an intern at GE Healthcare in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where I got to learn more about the world of biotechnology and how it is applied ethically and effectively to patients. With aspirations to attend medical school and eventually open a private practice, I’m deeply committed to making healthcare more accessible and equitable for all. In addition to my academic and athletic commitments, I’m passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work. I serve on the SCU Athlete Diversity Council and am actively involved in Igwebuike, the Black student club on campus. As a Markkula Center for Applied Ethic Healthcare Ethics Intern for 2024-2025, I hope to gain valuable insights into the ethical challenges that healthcare professionals encounter while collaborating with peers to refine my own critical thinking skills. Outside of academics, I love hiking, trying new foods, swimming, and practicing hot yoga. |
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Elsa Kinney '25 I am a senior from Honolulu, Hawaii, majoring in Biology and Public Health. On campus, I serve as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair for Rho Psi Eta, a pre-health sorority. Additionally, I am the Department Coordinator for the Health and Disabilities Department at the Santa Clara Community Action Program (SCCAP) and a research assistant for Dr. Kirsten Read, studying vocabulary retention in preschool-aged children through shared storybook reading. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, running, and thrifting. After graduation, I hope to attend medical school to become a pediatrician and work with underserved communities, particularly the Native Hawaiian population. As a physician, there are challenging decisions I will have to make everyday that can influence and, in some cases, save lives. And I believe the Health Care Ethics Internship can help expand my ethical reasoning skills to create a stronger foundation that will allow me to best serve my future patients. |
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Karina Martinez '26 Karina Martinez is a junior from San Jose, California. She is a LEAD Scholar double majoring in Biology and Neuroscience. Karina aspires to become a physician and is interested in internal medicine or reconstructive surgery. On campus, Karina is in an undergraduate lab focusing on health materials, a Community Facilitator for the Magis RLC, and the National Liaison for the pre-health fraternity, Delta Epsilon Mu. Through the Health Care Ethics Internship, Karina hopes to deepen her knowledge of the ethical dilemmas in healthcare through discussions on systemic barriers, affordable healthcare solutions, and equitable access for patients. |
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Yeseñia Andrea Sandoval '26 Yeseñia Sandoval is a junior Biochemistry major with a minor in Biotechnology from East Bay California. She aspires to pursue her MD/PhD after undergrad. Yesenia is interested in equitable healthcare, treatment of patients, and ethical issues that face scientists in the laboratory. She hopes to gain a wide-range of knowledge about other ethical issues that healthcare faces. On campus, Yeseñia does research in Dr. Brunauer’s biochemistry lab, works as a chemistry peer educator, does public relations for the Chemistry/Biochemistry Dept. board, is part of the LEAD first-generation program and the Honors program. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys baking, cooking and exploring new places with her friends. |
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Maria Sakurets '26
Maria Sakurets is a junior from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is double majoring in Public Health and Neuroscience. She aspires to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine specializing in either Emergency Medicine or Obstetrics and Gynecology. On campus, Maria serves as a volunteer EMT and holds roles as a Dialysis Technician and EMT outside of SCU. She is also a member of Dr. Read’s Bilingual Child Development Lab and is honored to be selected as one of this year’s Healthcare Ethics Interns. Maria’s firsthand experiences in healthcare, shaped by her dual role as provider and patient from an immigrant background, have deeply acquainted her with the complexities and nuances of healthcare ethics. Through this experience Maria aims to broaden her insights into the deficiencies and policies of our healthcare system. Her particular interests lie in transplant ethics, female reproductive rights, and enhancing cultural competency within today’s healthcare landscape.
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Tianyu Tan '26 Tianyu Tan is a Junior from San Diego, CA who is currently majoring in Biology and Neuroscience and minoring in Biotechnology. While her path is not set on being a doctor, she is passionate about the socio-cultural factors that cause health disparities in Communities of Color. She is also deeply interested in improving accessibility of protective factors such as health education, violence prevention programs, and hygiene kits. During Summer 2023, she was a research assistant for the DeNardo Lab Rotations program and participated in Dr. Islas’s lab on gene expression, Dr. Stephen’s lab on antibiotic resistance in UTI-causing bacteria, and Dr. Sabatier’s lab on neurobiology of C. elegans worm. Tianyu has been involved as a basketball coach for athletes with special needs under the Special Olympics of Northern California(SONC), and provided 1-on-1 Math and ELA tutoring at the Kathryn Hughes Elementary School under SCCAP(Santa Clara Community Action Program). Outside of SCU, Tianyu has participated as an online English tutor to Chinese-speaking students under the WuWei Harmony Foundation during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Tianyu is beyond thrilled to be an intern under the Markkula Center of Ethics and she hopes to gain insight on the socio-cultural impact of public health issues, such as violence against women, neurological conditions, and antibiotic resistance.
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Aria Trivedi '25 Aria Trivedi is a Senior from Pleasanton, California, majoring in biology and minoring in biotechnology. On Campus, Aria works in Dr. Abbyad’s research lab in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department and is a Clare Booth Luce scholar. She is a member of the Honors program and serves on the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department’s Student Advisory Board. Aria plans to go to graduate school for genetics and work in a professional biotechnology lab. Aria is very interested in the ethics of informed consent of novel treatments and ethics of biological research. She wants to understand multiple sides of complex problems, in understanding the literal way to do something along with the ethical consequences. Aria is excited to join the Health Care Ethics Internship to learn more about the ethical complexities of healthcare alongside her peers. |
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Jesse Vargas '25
I am a first-generation junior from Sunnyvale, California. I am majoring in Biology with a minor in philosophy. I am aspiring to become a physician and am mainly interested in family medicine or pediatrics. I am currently working as a middle school tutor where I work with primarily underserved and English learning students. At Santa Clara University, I’ve had the opportunity to explore different areas of interest. From some of the courses I’ve taken here, I’ve developed an interest in philosophy and more specifically in biomedical ethics. I am excited to participate in the Ethics in Healthcare internship because it provides an excellent opportunity to see how my interest in ethics fits into my future career. I am also excited to get the opportunity to talk with professionals and gain insight into how ethical dilemmas have appeared in their career so that I can begin to prepare myself to face my own dilemmas in the future.
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Hermon Welde '26
I’m Hermon and I’m a junior majoring in Public Health Science from San Jose, CA. I plan on either attending PA school to become a PA specializing in Dermatology or potentially getting my Master’s in Public Health and working in healthcare administration and policy. With these choices, I also aspire to work in underserved communities specifically those of minority and immigrant populations. Through this experience, I look forward to learning about ethical dilemmas amongst people of color when it comes to healthcare in areas such as human experimentation and testing. I am also interested in euthanasia and physician assisted suicide and the dilemmas that arise with that. On campus, I am a member of various clubs such as the African Student Association and Igwebuike. Along side of that I also volunteer at Kaiser Permanente as a means to learn more about our complex healthcare system.
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2024-25 Honzel Fellow Sydney Shelby ’25 I am a senior with majors in Public Health Science and Biology and minors in African American studies and Medical and Health Humanities. My personal experiences have shown me the ways that health inequities disproportionately impact marginalized communities. These formative experiences have caused me to have a deep passion for implementing ethical and just practices into medicine.
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