ASU grad finds purpose in medicine through advocacy and cultural understanding
Mikayla Lopez is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in medical studies from the College of Health Solutions.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2026 graduates.
Mikayla Lopez has always been drawn to medicine. Growing up in California in a family of health care professionals, she was exposed to clinical environments from an early age, but it wasn’t until she enrolled at Arizona State University that she discovered the purpose behind her interest.
This May, Lopez will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in medical studies from the College of Health Solutions, earning the college’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student award in the process.
“The award means a great deal to me,” she said. “I first heard about it during the 2025 College of Health Solutions Convocation. I remember feeling inspired and emotional listening to the recipient speak about her journey.
“When I think about this award, I think of my family. I come from a big family with six sisters, and they motivate me every day to work hard and show them that these kinds of accomplishments are possible.”
Through coursework and hands-on experiences, Lopez began exploring how cultural context shapes patient care and how advocacy can improve health outcomes in underserved communities.
Through her project “Savior Siblings,” Lopez contributed to research featured at the Polytechnic Innovation Showcase, which aims to provide support to sibling donors with chronic illnesses such as thyroid conditions and sickle-cell anemia. She volunteers with Emeralds for Education and Feed My Starving Children, all while gaining clinical experience as a medical intern assisting with thyroid biopsies and currently working as a medical assistant at a pain management clinic.
“I plan on applying to PA (physician assistant) school and, if accepted, begin in fall 2027,” she said. “In the meantime,I hope to build more clinical experience, ideally with Phoenix Children’s or Banner Health, as I work toward a career in pediatrics, family medicine or OB-GYN.”
Below, she reflects on the experiences that shaped her undergraduate journey and the perspective she hopes to carry into her career as a physician assistant.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: I knew I wanted to go into medicine, but I didn’t know why. It was something I had always been around, with my mom, grandmother and aunts all working in health care. My “aha” moment came during my sophomore year in a class called Cultural Aspects of Health. What I thought would be just another prerequisite ended up completely shifting my perspective. It pushed me to think about how culture shapes patient care and showed me that medicine goes beyond Western approaches. That’s when I realized I didn’t just want to work in health care, I wanted to use it to advocate for patients who don’t have a voice.
Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: One thing that I learned while being at ASU is that there are many opportunities offered by the school that most students don't know about. I’ve had two student worker positions and I’ve gotten many opportunities through them, and I got to share all of this with my sorority, friends and other students. There is something for everybody, no matter their interests. ASU was very helpful in creating a space for everyone.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: Ever since middle school, I really wanted to come to Arizona, and I wasn’t sure why. I focused on other universities in Arizona. I toured them, and I didn’t like any of them because they weren’t what I was expecting. Before heading back to California, I decided to tour Arizona State University. I did a self-tour and walked around, and it was like, “Oh my gosh, I love it.” There were so many people from different cultures. I saw people who looked similar to me, as there’s a strong Latino community. It was immediate. I loved it. I remember going home, wearing my ASU T-shirt, and then I committed to ASU. I’ve never regretted it since.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: If there’s an opportunity that presents itself to you, take it. Self-doubt is something that gets in the way for a lot of people, especially in college. We compare ourselves to others, struggle with imposter syndrome, and constantly tell ourselves no. One thing someone told me was, “Don’t tell yourself no — let them tell you no if you’re not right for it.” So my biggest piece of advice is always try, because you’ll never know if you don’t.
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