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Although Lei Dribben didn’t start her Boise State journey as a health studies student, she has always been passionate about caring for and advocating for others.
Dribben’s high school biology class piqued her interest in health and how humans are shaped by their DNA. Being adopted at an early age, Dribben said she doesn’t know much about her genetic makeup, but through her studies, she hopes to one day find out more for herself and help others to do the same.
“It’s really interesting being able to find out so much about yourself just through your genetics and how your environment can shape your epigenetics,” Dribben said.
As a lifelong Idahoan, choosing Boise State came easily. However, with an interest in exploring a variety of majors, Dribben took a short detour on her way to health studies. It didn’t take long, however, for Dribben’s love for health and her budding interest in genetics to bring her to the School of Public and Population Health.
“This program encompasses my love for biology, genetics, learning about healthcare systems and all the policy and legislation that surrounds public health,” Dribben said.
A Passion for Action and Advocacy
When she isn’t in class, Dribben works as an undergraduate research technician with the Center for Health Policy.
Dribben said her time with the Center has given her an appreciation for and a better understanding of all that goes into health policy and legislation. Being part of the research with the Center, Dribben says, has reinforced her drive to build a career in health.
As an academic senator representing the College of Health Sciences, Dribben is getting a crash course in governing. Alongside her passion to advocate for others, Dribben said she is building a community she didn’t think would be part of her academic experience.
“Public service and advocacy have been a really important part of my life since high school, but I kind of felt that I was missing that here until I joined ASBSU,” Dribben said. “It’s really important to me that I have a connection with my peers and build a community for myself and others. ASBSU is a really great way to do that.”
While Dribben’s work with ASBSU has just begun for the school year, she hopes to connect students with more opportunities for career development and promote more affordable materials for classes such as lab coats, books and other items that add to the cost load for students.
“In this role, I can better see our successes and our downfalls,” Dribben said. “The more I talk with other students, the more I learn about what needs to be improved, what is going well and what the overall feeling of being part of this university is for others.”
After graduating in May 2026, Dribben hopes to gain a masters degree in genetic counseling.
“All these experiences have been really helpful for me and will be helpful in my future career,” Dribben said. “I’ve really seen first hand where we can be better, where we’ll get better by advocating for others and that making change at the individual level is possible.”