Announcing the 2025-26 Global One Health Scholars

We are excited to announce the second cohort of the Global One Health Scholars. The following five undergraduate students were selected from a highly competitive pool of excellent applications from across multiple academic colleges at NC State. The Scholars program grows the next generation of leaders in One Health through interdisciplinary training, experiential learning, and leadership development.

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Kayley Carpenter

Kayley Carpenter is a Sophomore studying Applied Nutrition Science with a desire to work in the Healthcare field post-grad. Kayley is super excited and grateful for this opportunity to further her knowledge and get to gain a holistic perspective of healthcare and wellness! 

Mercedes Morales

Mercedes Morales a junior majoring in Statistics, graduating Spring 2027. Mercedes transferred from Wake Tech through the C3 program; a community-centered initiative supporting transfer students in completing their four-year degrees. As a C3 ambassador, she is proud to represent the possibilities that begin in community college. Mercedes chose the Global One Health minor because it reflects her belief in the deep connections between human, animal, and environmental health. It highlights the kind of interdisciplinary thinking needed to tackle complex global challenges with bold, collaborative solutions, what we call Wolfpack solutions. Passionate about helping others thrive, Mercedes aims to work in the public health sector, using data to create healthier communities. 

Willamina Ingle

Willamina Ingle is a third-year student pursuing double majors in Microbiology and Spanish. With strong interests in infectious diseases, social determinants of health, and effective scientific communication, she hopes to leverage the One Health framework to contribute to global health initiatives, promote health equity, and improve public health outcomes through cross-cultural collaboration and education. Outside of academics, you’ll most likely find her out for a run or exploring the outdoors.

Fedora Parra

Fedora Parra is a junior studying Genetics with a minor in Global One Health. She is really passionate about genetics as a framework for understanding biological mechanisms and exploring solutions for health. She is a transfer student from community college and has been really excited about being involved in scientific research since then. She hopes to continue to get involved in Global One Health initiatives at NC State, especially this upcoming year! In her spare time you can find her hiking, making art, rock climbing, or spending time with friends. 

Yvette Wittenborn

Yvette Wittenborn is a second-year Microbiology major with a focus on Microbial Research and a minor in Global One Health. Currently, Yvette is gaining hands-on experience in Dr. Sid Thakur’s lab, where she studies antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from retail meat and seafood. Through this work, Yvette is developing a deeper understanding of the public health implications of antimicrobial resistance and its global impact on humans and animals. She is particularly interested in exploring alternative antibiotics as potential solutions to combat resistant bacteria and improve global health outcomes.