ASU honors graduate Sarah Lopez aspires to be a doctor specializing in women’s health


December 8, 2021

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2021 graduates.

Sarah Lopez counts completing her honors thesis among her proudest moments as an honors student at Arizona State University. Photo of Sarah Lopez Sarah Lopez aspires to be a physician specializing in women's health. She is graduating this month with a bachelor’s degree in medical studies, with a minor in Spanish and honors from Barrett, The Honors College at ASU. Download Full Image

Lopez is graduating this month with a bachelor’s degree in medical studies, with a minor in Spanish and honors from Barrett, The Honors College at ASU.

“Looking back at my time at ASU, I am most proud of completing my thesis project which I titled 'No Mother Left Behind: An Investigation of Three Disparities that Plague Black Mothers in America.' The thesis process was incredibly challenging and rewarding for me, and ultimately, I am so proud of the final result,” she said.

“I am so glad that I got to shed some light on the challenges faced by this community and continue the push for health equity, a goal that is incredibly important to me.”

While a student, Lopez interned with St. Vincent de Paul in its medical clinic. She’ll continue in the job after graduation.

“I will be working as a scribe and a translator to help provide care to the underserved families in our community. I plan to apply to medical school this spring and hope to be admitted for the 2023 school year. While I still have plenty of time to think about a future specialty, I would love to continue the work I started with my honors thesis and pursue a career that focuses on women's health,” she said.

We caught up with Lopez as she prepared for graduation to get her thoughts on her ASU experience. 

Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: I've known that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine since I was 10 years old! So many people in my family and in my community have a distrust for health care workers, whether it be due to a language barrier or perceived discrimination. Since that time, I've wanted to become that safe place that I feel is missing for so many people. I've chosen to continue studying Spanish and completing a minor in that field so that I can reach even more people. 

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: I grew up in a fairly suburban town outside of Milwaukee (Waukesha, Wisconsin), so moving to the ASU Downtown campus in Phoenix was definitely a big change for me. At first, I wasn't sure if I would fit in, but I've loved living in such a diverse and fast-paced community. One thing that I've learned while attending ASU is that we are all a lot more similar than I previously thought; it is so much easier to find commonalities than differences. ASU really allows students to branch out of their comfort zone and celebrate individuality.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: I chose ASU because I truly felt that it would provide me with the most opportunities to prepare for a career in health care and connect with the Latinx community. Being invited to be a Barrett student was an incredible opportunity and was another huge factor in my decision to attend ASU. Seeing the way ASU supports the Latinx community through student scholarships and so many amazing internship programs was something very important to me.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: The professor that taught me the most important lesson while at ASU would definitely be Dr. Alex Trimble Young, an honors faculty fellow. As I'm sure most students can relate, the pandemic took a huge toll on me both personally and academically. As my senior year approached, I was honestly ready to quit. But with the help of Dr. Young and some amazing advisers, I made it through. I learned to persevere and problem-solve, especially during the tough times.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: If I could give one piece of advice to those who are still in school, it would be this: Don't be afraid to ask for help! No one has it together all the time, not even the mentors and professors we admire so much. The ability to candidly and graciously ask for help is a strength, not a weakness. (One that I am still working on). ASU has so many great resources, and they are there for a reason, so don't be afraid to lean on them.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: My favorite spot on campus is definitely the rooftop of the Sun Devil Fitness Center. I always feel more productive when I work and study outside, and there's no better place in downtown Phoenix. I always loved studying in a hammock and looking out over the city.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: Working as an intern and a volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul has really opened my eyes to the needs of the homeless and underserved in our community. If someone gave me $40 million, I would want to put that money towards building more housing for this vulnerable population. I would also love to fund development opportunities which would help to reintegrate this population into the community, into the workforce and into long-term personal and financial stability. Anything from mental health services to job interview preparation could be incredibly beneficial and impactful. Ending homelessness in Phoenix alone is a huge task, but $40 million could really change so many lives.

Nicole Greason

Director of Marketing and Public Relations , Barrett, The Honors College

480-965-8415

Graduate discovers a successful path is the one you create


December 8, 2021

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2021 graduates.

When Adrienne Vescio transferred to Arizona State University, she was originally studying psychology to become a therapist but became increasingly aware it wasn’t a good fit. Enrolling in an introductory astronomy course to fulfill her natural science requirements, Vescio never imagined a career in astronomy. However, this December Vescio will graduate with a double major in astrophysics and physics from the School of Earth and Space Exploration. Adrienne stands outside next to the JPL welcome sign. This December, Adrienne Vescio will graduate with a double major in astrophysics and physics from the School of Earth and Space Exploration. Download Full Image

“Though I've been interested in space sciences since I was a kid, I always struggled with math in school, so I didn't think I would be able to find success in it as a career,” said Vescio.

A former instructor helped her realize that an astronomer doesn't need to look like any particular kind of person, and that you don't need to have some sort of innate talent for math or science to explore and share the field.

“That, combined with the fact that astronomy is just plain neat, was all I needed to make the leap,” she said.

Vescio is originally from Mesa, Arizona, so attending an in-state university alongside her high school friends was a prime motivator to enroll with ASU. The learning environment was a prime motivator for keeping her here.

“The School of Earth and Space Exploration is an incredible school, and learning that ASU had such a great environment to grow new astronomers when I was considering looking elsewhere for the best program, seriously helped in convincing myself that it was the right place for me,” she said.

During her first year at ASU, Vescio began working with Professor and astrophysicist Patrick Young.

“Adrienne approached me about doing research her first semester at ASU,” said Young. “I was very fortunate she did. Her impeccable work on the properties of exoplanet host stars generated a new and very unexpected result with far-reaching implications.”

Taking advice from Young proved to be pivotal, especially in her upper-division courses.

“As an academic in our field, you need three things: your studies, your research and something else on the side to keep you sane,” she said. “Even if it feels like you have less and less time, you absolutely should not cut out all the things you do for fun to keep up. Those things are necessary to keep you going sometimes, so hold them close to home, however trivial they seem.”

Vescio believes success in astronomy doesn’t look the same for everybody. She spent time measuring herself against her peers and worrying about getting into grad school, only to realize that there is nothing wrong with creating your own journey.

“Some of the smartest people I've met with the coolest experiences didn't follow a cookie-cutter path of undergrad straight into grad school straight into a postdoc. If that's not how your career looks, it doesn't mean that you can't do research or be a ‘real’ astronomer,” she said. “Whether you apply for grad school during your senior year, apply five years later, or decide that academia just isn't for you at all — there's nothing wrong with any of it. Explore the different opportunities available and dive into what feels right with your best effort. As far as I'm concerned, that's what success looks like.”

Vescio shared a few thoughts about her time at ASU.

Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Answer: This isn't necessarily a happy lesson, but something I learned while at ASU is that basically everyone doubts themselves. I'm fairly certain that the vast majority of the people I've met studying natural sciences have a serious case of impostor syndrome, even my peers and friends who I personally viewed as the smartest and most highly qualified! What this means, though, is that everyone struggles, even if it's hard to see it. You're probably so much better than you're telling yourself you are, and the fact that you've made it to the place you're at means that you've earned and deserve it! You haven't tricked anyone, so cut yourself a little slack.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: My favorite spot on campus is the engineering center courtyard area. It's generally pretty quiet and there's lots of shade and sun, depending on what you're looking for. I love the big tree they have in the middle and listening to the leaves rustle on windy days. It's super relaxing, and it's a nice change of pace to study outdoors sometimes.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I'm looking forward to jumping into the industry after graduating, leaning into my physics background to gain experience doing some level of spacecraft engineering. After spending some time exploring the field, I'd like to somehow find my way back into research — whether that be through moving around positions or by eventually deciding to go to graduate school.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: Though it takes far more than money to make progress towards accomplishing this goal, I would want to put the cash towards tackling the problem of educational inequity. Something very close to my heart is teaching young, potential future scientists that they have all the mental tools they need to move into the sciences as a career if they so choose. Not all scientists are Einstein-level genius old men in lab coats, after all! These tools are too often obscured or disguised as something that is not enough to accomplish goals, and the troubles associated with generations of unequal opportunity encourage their neglect. Putting money and effort towards the goal of supplementing these young minds of huge potential with understanding, encouraging and engaging STEM educators and the opportunities they deserve to capitalize on their natural gifts results in a more diverse and exceptional field with more diverse and exceptional perspectives.

Catherine Shappell

Digital communications specialist, School of Earth and Space Exploration

480-727-2870