Driven by a passion for science, service, and equity in healthcare, Chiara Petrazzuolo-Leiva, a sophomore at The Ohio State University, is making meaningful strides in women’s health research and global medical outreach. Majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Petrazzuolo-Leiva is a proud Morrill Scholar and University Honors student from Northern Virginia who chose Ohio State for its strong emphasis on leadership development, community engagement, and undergraduate research with real-world impact.
At the heart of Petrazzuolo-Leiva’s Ohio State journey is her role as an undergraduate research assistant with Scientific Health Empowerment & Integrative Solutions (SHEIS) Labs, where she contributes to women’s health research focused on keto-adaptation -the process in which the body shifts from using carbohydrates for energy to efficiently using fat and ketones instead- and its clinical outcomes. Through her research, she is exploring the ways keto-adaptation shapes women’s metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular health. The findings from this research may help shape future clinical guidelines that better support women’s wellness and long-term health outcomes.
Beyond engaging with study participants and data collection, she leads the Symptoms of PCOS Ameliorated by Responses to Keto-adaptation (SPARK) Study Manuscripts Team, collaborating with the other women in SHEIS lab on scientific writing, data interpretation, and research translation. This leadership role has strengthened her communication skills and given her firsthand experience in sharing scientific findings in accessible and impactful ways.
“The most notable outcome from our ongoing SPARK study so far is that of eight women who participated, all eight saw reinstatement or regulation of menses,” Petrazzuolo-Leiva shared. “The goal of SHEIS is to empower and educate on women’s health.”
She credits Dr. Madison Kackley, the leader of SHEIS Labs, for fostering an empowering and collaborative environment where student researchers are encouraged to grow. She also highlights Dr. Jon Parquette, her Honors Organic Chemistry professor, for deepening her interest in biochemistry and guiding her passion for research. Through this class, she formed strong relationships with her professor and peers, giving her a community that helped her succeed.
“[When] I was in Honors Organic Chemistry, my professor knew me, I knew him, and that connection made the class feel so much more meaningful. The close-knit environment with both him and my peers really supported and inspired me.”
Her commitment to research is matched by her dedication to service. As part of the Global Health Leaders cohort in the Summer of 2025, Petrazzuolo-Leiva traveled to the Dominican Republic with seven other students, where they volunteered in medical clinics helping underserved communities. Over the course of a week, the team assisted with intake, vitals, and patient care for roughly 80 patients a day, allowing her to gain a deeper understanding of global health disparities and the importance of culturally responsive care.
“Serving others is at the heart of why I want to go into medicine,” she said. “Being able to help people, whether in Columbus or across the world, reminds me of the kind of doctor I want to become.”
Outside of her service globally, Petrazzuolo-Leiva continues to lead with purpose on campus. She serves as the Director of Public Relations and External Affairs for Latine En Acción, coordinating service initiatives that uplift and support underrepresented communities. She is also involved in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Medicine Education and Development for Low-Income Families Everywhere (MEDLIFE), and the American Chemical Society—organizations that allow her to advocate for equity in education, healthcare, and representation while continuing to grow as a leader. Off campus, she volunteers with Lutheran Social Services, helping distribute food to families across Columbus. It’s one of the many ways she lives out her commitment to community care.
With a full schedule of academics, research, leadership, and service, Petrazzuolo-Leiva prioritizes balance by surrounding herself with work that aligns with her passions. For her, well-being isn’t about doing less—but about making room for what matters most. “I love busy days because everything on my schedule is something I care about. When I fill my time with things I enjoy, it doesn’t feel draining—it actually energizes me.”
Looking ahead, Petrazzuolo-Leiva plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a Naval medical officer specializing in anesthesiology, a path that blends her love for science, service, leadership, and meaningful patient impact.
Whether in the lab, the classroom, or the clinic, Petrazzuolo-Leiva is driven by a simple but powerful mission: to serve with compassion, intentionality, and purpose.