08/20/2026
Meet Emma đź‘‹, a current senior majoring in Biobehavioral Health with a minor in Biology, who plans to pursue a career in medicine. During her years at Penn State, Emma has pursued internships and opportunities that allowed her to connect with her peers and build her knowledge and skills.
Emma participated in an internship with Girls on the Run, and the connections she made there led her to help expand the program into Luzerne County, where she grew up.
“I have had the opportunity to apply what I've learned in my BBH coursework and see it come to life in a real-world setting — whether that's developing equitable educational materials or working to address barriers within these communities,” Emma said. “While that process has been challenging at times, it has been incredibly rewarding.”
She also worked as a research assistant for two years on the Healthy Mom Zone study, where she developed skills in data analysis, project management, and leadership.
Outside of professional experiences, Emma is a proud member of Phi Epsilon Kappa (PEK), a pre-health fraternity at Penn State. The fraternity offers service initiatives and experiences, including support for THON, and she said her participation in these initiatives deepened her commitment to helping others and gave her a strong sense of community and supportive friends at Penn State.
“Through all of my experiences during undergrad, I have developed a deep appreciation for the importance of effective communication in healthcare,” said Emma.
“I’ve learned to approach situations with perspective and recognize that what we see on the outside rarely tells the full story. This has helped me build genuine empathy and meet people where they are, rather than where I expect them to be.”
Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono
