Undergraduate Spotlight: Annika Penzer
Annika Penzer is a senior from NYC majoring in Philosophy with minors in Human Biology, Archaeology, and Human Rights. Her research in biomedical ethics often occupies the intersection of these fields. Annika has enjoyed holding campus jobs as a tour guide, Hume writing tutor, and BOSP ambassador for Stanford-in-Berlin throughout her time at Stanford. Outside school, she enjoys urban exploration, flea markets, and museums with friends.
Why did you choose to participate in the Honors Program in Ethics in Society?
Alongside my study of philosophy, I’ve developed strong research interests in biomedical ethics — from abortion and surrogacy to organ donation and genetic screening. The Ethics in Society Honors Program offers an ideal interdisciplinary space to pursue questions that don’t fit neatly within a single field. I was especially drawn to the opportunity to conduct rigorous, independent research while learning from a close-knit community of peers and faculty with diverse academic and personal commitments to ethics.
What was the most rewarding aspect of your experience in the Honor’s program?
The most rewarding parts of my Honors Program experience have been the mentorship I’ve received from EiS postdoctoral fellow Moya Mapps and the camaraderie within my cohort. Moya’s guidance has been intellectually formative — they have pushed me to craft more philosophically rigorous arguments, take bolder positions, and develop a clearer, more confident voice in my writing. Meanwhile, working alongside peers working on vastly different topics — but equally passionate about ethical inquiry — has created a genuine sense of community. We've pushed each other to improve our projects, held space for disagreement, and celebrated each milestone together.
How would you describe your thesis research?
My thesis examines the ethical and legal dimensions of physician-assisted death, with a focus on individuals with severe and persistent mental illness — a group often excluded from access due to concerns about impaired decision-making. After exploring cultural, religious, and policy perspectives, I turn to rights theory as a framework for evaluating ethical access. I begin with Wesley Hohfeld’s account of what rights are, arguing that a meaningful right includes claims, privileges, powers, and immunities. I then examine two major theories of what rights are for -- that is, the function they serve for the rights-holder: Will Theory, which emphasizes autonomous choice, and Interest Theory, which focuses on promoting fundamental human interests. I argue that Interest Theory better supports access to physician-assisted death for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, since it does not rely on decision-making capacity alone as the basis for what grounds a right. By grounding the right to die in the interest in avoiding unbearable suffering, I propose a rights-based approach that expands access while maintaining appropriate ethical safeguards.
What opportunities would you like to pursue within the next five years?
I'll spend next year undertaking a Fulbright research project in Berlin, studying the impacts of Germany's Eugenics legacy on modern attitudes towards genetic editing — but after that, who knows? I’m torn between law school and a PhD, both offering different paths for blending my love of philosophy with real-world policy impact. I’m keeping the door open to any opportunity that sharpens my thinking, expands my toolkit, and lets me keep asking big questions — ideally while exploring long-term future career options along the way. Stay tuned!