Leila DeSchepper

Leila (she/her) studied Human Biology with a math minor. In the lab of Dr. Michael Howitt (Microbiology/Immunology), she studied how parasites alter the function of gut epithelial cells. As an aspiring physician-scientist, Leila is interested in immunology, disability studies, pediatric gastroenterology, and disability justice within healthcare settings. Outside of the lab, Leila can be found in the climbing gym, hiking, playing clarinet, or searching for the best chai latte in the Bay Area. Leila currently serves as co-president of Stanford's Climbing Team and is involved with Stanford Outdoor VSO, Out in STEM, and Stanford Women in Mathematics Mentoring. Leila received the prestigious 2024 Kennedy Prize for the best undergraduate honors thesis written across the natural sciences, and she will serve as a course assistant for the Human Biology program before continuing to pursue graduate studies.