For Leader in Action Elisabeth Starosta, UND ‘empowered me to explore all my interests — science, global studies, mentoring — and to find meaning in each one’
From an early age, Elisabeth Starosta saw two sides of medicine: science and humanity.
“My dad has an M.D. and a Ph.D., so I grew up seeing the research side,” she said. “And when my mom was diagnosed with MS when I was young, I saw what compassionate, diligent care really meant.”
Those experiences sparked an early fascination with medicine and shaped her dream of becoming a physician.
Knowing she wanted to pursue medicine, Elisabeth applied only to UND.
“I actually started out as a biomedical engineering major,” she said. “But then I realized it wasn’t for me. My roommate was a chemistry major, and she suggested I move to chemistry. I tried it and loved it.”
Now pursuing biochemistry and in the UND Honors Program, Elisabeth walks an academic path that bridges curiosity and kindness, combining a fascination with molecular science and a desire to make a difference through medicine.
“As soon as I went in, my first classes were organic chemistry — I love organic chemistry,” she said. “They’re some of my favorite classes I’ve ever taken.”
Read and watch more about Elisabeth and her successful career at UND.