Francisco Zepeda is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania. He is planning to pursue a career in Pediatrics with an interest in cardiology and pediatric critical care.
His research interests include projects that unite principles of clinical medicine and epidemiology to make causal inferences between exposures and health outcomes.
He volunteers his free time as a complex care coordinator and interpreter at Puentes de Salud, a non-profit wellness organization dedicated to improving the health of Philadelphia’s immigrant population.
He is also interested in medical education and has developed curricula for medical student electives in LGBTQ+ Health Advocacy as well as Clinical Nutrition.
Education
University of Pennsylvania (2021 - 2026)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Clinical Rotations: Psychiatry, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Surgery
Clinical Electives: Sub-Internship in Pediatrics (Hematology & Nephrology), Well Newborn Nursery, Intensive Care Nursery, Pediatric Pulmonology
Public Health Coursework: Behavioral Economics & Health, Adolescent & Young Adult Health Policy
University of California — Berkeley (2024 - 2025)
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (MPH)
Coursework: Epidemiology Methods, Multivariable Biostatistics, Intervention Trial Design, GIS & Spatial Analysis, Data Visualization, Causal Inference Methods, Health & Social Behavior, Health & Policy Management, Environmental Health Sciences
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2017 - 2021)
Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering (BS), Minor in Political Science
Technical Coursework: Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Biostatistics, Bioinstrumentation Design, Cell Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Classical Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Fields Forces & Flows, Electricity & Magnetism, Circuits
Humanities Coursework: Scientific Communication, Race Ethnicity & Am. Politics, Public Policy for D.C. Interns, Latin America and the Global Sixties, Philosophical Justice, Race Ethnicity and Am. Politics, US Social Policy, Health Policy, Gender Medicine and Public Health, Portuguese II and III
Academic Affiliations
American Public Health Association
Society for Pediatric Epidemiologic Research
American Academy of Pediatrics
Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics
Awards & Honors
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute Short Term Grant (May 2022)
Received research funds to support the development of novel therapeutics for patients with end-stage renal disease.
MIT Engineering Community Award (May 2021)
Presented award for establishing the Society of Underrepresented Biologists and BioEngineers (SUBE). Recognized for deliberately seeking out partners for collaboration across campus organizations, ethnic groups, and affinity groups.
ASPR Impact Award (Aug 2019)
Recognized by US Dept. of HHS for outstanding work creating new statistical reports, coordinating private industry partners, and cybersecurity policy development in preparation for the 2020 Hurricane Season.
Amer. Soc. for Biochem and Molec Biology Distinguished Undergraduate (Sep 2018)
Recognized as an outstanding student in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology who has shown a commitment to enhancing the academic success of other underrepresented students.
Leadership & Service
Alliance of Minority Physicians: MedEd Committee (Aug 2023 - Present)
Developed a curriculum to prepare first-year, underrepresented medical students for a career in academic medicine.
Latino Medical Students Association: Executive Board (Jan 2022 - Present)
Organized an inaugural, overnight retreat for 40 students at a campsite to foster camaraderie between class years.
Assisted with the recruitment of Latino students by organizing panel discussions and faculty seminars.
Penn Med Nourish Club: Executive Board (Jan 2022 - Present)
Designed a medical nutrition curriculum for medical students including topics in governmental assistance programs, inpatient nutrition management, and weight-neutral approaches to exercise & diet.
Penn Med Pride: Academic Chair (Jan 2022 - Present)
Designed a curriculum for medical students to develop LGBTQ+ Health Advocacy skills including principles of gender-affirming care, support for victims of intimate partner violence, & HIV prevention and treatment.
Medical School Reaccreditation: Committee Member (Jun 2022 - Present)
Designed a survey to identify areas for improvement in DEI, curriculum, research, and advising.
Students for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity: Treasurer (Aug 2021 - Present)
Disbursed $20,000 to student-led initiatives to promote the recruitment and retainment of students underrepresented in medicine including advising dinners, lunch seminars, and cultural celebrations.
Puentes de Salud: Complex Care Coordinator (Aug 2021 - Present)
Interpreted clinical visits and assisted with Emergency Medical Assistance applications at a community health center serving undocumented, uninsured, Spanish-speaking patients.
Children’s Hospital of Phil Fam Connects: Volunteer (Aug 2021 - Jan 2022)
Screened families in the emergency department for unmet needs related to social determinants of health.
MIT Educational Studies Program: Instructor (May 2018 - Mar 2020)
Developed an 8-week curriculum for middle schoolers consisting of lectures and food-based laboratory experiments.