Lennessa Mazo is a first-generation college student pursuing a 4+1 accelerated Master’s degree in Biological Sciences at Arizona State University, with aspirations to further her academic journey through a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Her passion lies in leveraging research to address critical public health challenges, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for underserved communities. Through her academic pursuits and dedication to meaningful change, Lennessa seeks to apply innovative solutions to real-world problems. As a member of the RISE Center, she aims to deepen her research experience and contribute to impactful projects that tackle pressing societal issues.