Hi everyone! My name is Jenny Nwokeji, and I'm so excited to be a PAA again this year. I'm a senior from Harrisburg, PA studying Molecular Biology and minoring in Bioengineering and African Studies. I'm interested in pursuing an MD/PhD after my time at Princeton, and I'm also an HPA peer adviser. On campus, I'm on the board of the Black Premedical Society, I'm a McGraw Tutor for intro molecular biology (MOL214), honors general chemistry (CHM215), and organic chemistry 2 (CHM304), and I'm treasurer of the Scully Co-Op. I have also served on the board of the Nigerian Students Association and styled for TigerTrends (the campus fashion magazine) during my time at Princeton. Outside of academics, I love to draw, sing, exercise, and cook. I loved being a PAA last year and helping my zee group with their transition to Princeton, so I look forward to doing the same this year!
CONCENTRATION
Molecular Biology
CERTIFICATES
Bioengineering and African Studies
What's a favorite memory from your first year at Princeton?
Having a sunset picnic with my friend on Lake Carnegie during reading period my freshman spring. While we only planned to be there for an hour or so to study, we ended up talking for hours about life, freshman year reflections, and fun memories.
What's a Princeton class that has shaped the way you think and why?
HUM315: Bio/Ethics: Ancient and Modern. This was a new course when I took it in Fall 2023 (and I am not sure if it will be offered again, since Professor Fins was a visiting professor). I had never taken an ethics class before at Princeton, and I am so glad that I was able to get into this seminar! In this course, we analyzed topics in bio/medical ethics with both modern (1980s-present) and ancient (think Hippocrates, Plato, etc) readings. Not only were the professors very kind, understanding, and interesting people (Professor Fins is a significant figure in Bioethics, and Professor Holmes is a renowned classicist), the course material was fascinating. I was able to not only formally learn about topics in bioethics, which is very relevant to my future hopes of becoming a doctor, I was also able to see how these matters have persisted/evolved in the last millennia. My final paper topic was something of great personal importance to me, and I still intend to go back to that paper and my class notes later in life.
What's your favorite place to study on campus?
Since I lived in Butler for my first three years, I prefer the south-campus study spots: Carl Icahn Laboratory, Princeton Neuroscience Institute, McDonnell Hall, and Frick Chemistry Lab are where I spend the most time studying!