Francesca Batiz is a Senior Biology major with minors in environmental science and bioethics. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Francesca has also lived in Seattle, Washington, and Edina, Minnesota. She loves how bioethics combines both of her interests: the humanities and life sciences.
Francesca discovered her passion for bioethics during her sophomore year at LMU when she simultaneously took Introduction to Bioethics and Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies. Through these courses, she recognized how deeply many bioethical issues resonated with her cultural background. Growing up attending public school in Texas, she noticed that many significant bioethics tragedies and injustices occurring within the state, along the U.S.-Mexico border, and internationally were rarely, if ever, discussed. After learning about the topic of bioethics, Francesca knew she would want to pursue a career where she could utilize the scientific and reasoning skills that LMU had allowed her to develop
In 2025, Francesca was one of twelve students internationally selected by Emory University through its Cross-Institutional Undergraduate Sponsorship Program to attend the American Society for Bioethics and the Humanities (ASBH) Conference in Portland, Oregon. During the conference, she had the opportunity to learn about emerging research, engage in panel discussions, learn new methods of implementing justice in healthcare systems, connect with peers, gain a mentor, as well as network with professionals.
Francesca aspires to earn a PhD in Philosophy, become a bioethics consultant, and remain actively involved in academic research, teaching, and scholarship. Her particular interests include the ethics of laboratory animal use, organ trafficking and tourism, and xenotransplantation. She is especially interested in the ethical questions that arise at the intersection of scientific advancement, human rights, and social justice.
Beyond the classroom, Francesca has spent three years participating in Dr. Kate Eisen’s Evolutionary Ecology Lab, further developing her appreciation for scientific research and the natural world. She also volunteers as a student ambassador for the Lovejoy Foundation, where she helps strengthen the relationship between LMU and Lovejoy. She is also an active member of Pi Beta Phi. As she prepares to pursue graduate programs in Bioethics and Philosophy, apply for fellowships, and explore opportunities in clinical research, Francesca remains committed to expanding her understanding of the ethical challenges shaping modern medicine and scientific innovation. Outside of academics, Francesca enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, skiing, and traveling. She deeply values her family, including her two dogs, Fonzie and Flora, and has a particular fondness for primates.
Co-student ambassadors: on the left is Natalie Hedding, and on the right is Francesca Batiz