Lizbeth Ayala Leon

KIPP Northern California Public Schools

Lizbeth Ayala Leon, a senior at KIPP King Collegiate High School in San Lorenzo, California, plans to major in biology and pursue pediatric cancer research as a first-generation college student. Lizbeth interned at Stanford’s Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program, where she investigated CAR T-cell therapy for patients with recurrent glioblastoma in a Phase I clinical trial and presented her findings to researchers at a national conference. When an illness struck a family member during high school, she became a primary caretaker, earning top grades while balancing schoolwork with household responsibilities. She also leads her school’s Mental Health Club, creating a space where students across every grade can prioritize their well-being.