Six undergraduates receive global health research grant

The six 2008-09 winners will travel to various parts of the world for senior-thesis research and internships related to global-health policy with financial support from the Adel Mahmoud Global Health Scholars Program. The program, which began in 2007, is directed by the Center for Health and Wellbeing, grants its award to up to six juniors each year and is open to students of all academic departments.

Brittney Johnson ’10, a history of science concentrator and a volunteer emergency medical technician at West Windsor Hospital, intends to spend most of her summer studying the first viable ambulance system in Mumbai, India. She will then travel to the Philippines to see if this model can be applied to other developing countries.

“I grew up [in the Philippines] for 10 years,” she explained. “My dad did disaster relief … [and there] is really no ambulance service.”

Karolina Brook ’10 is also headed to India this summer. Brook, a chemistry concentrator who is also pursuing a certificate in linguistics, will study the medical implications of cholera in both India and Bangladesh.

“I am really grateful [for this funding], because I didn’t think I’d get to travel to India [or] Bangladesh otherwise,” she said. “[This is] meaningful to scientific research.”

Raaj Mehta ’10, an ecology and evolutionary biology major and a Wilson School certificate candidate, will spend time studying cull infection in Peru and other parts of Latin America.

Mehta said he was particularly pleased about having the opportunity to get more involved in global-health research.

“I’m really excited that Princeton is now on track toward pursing global health,” Mehta explained, “just because it seems like [it is at the] forefront of science and policy.”

Mehta explained that his research focuses on the possibility of using different types of macroparasites to suppress more dangerous microparasites.

The three other award recipients — Alex Gertner ’10, Danielle Rochlin ’10, and Ashley Schoettle ’10 — could not be reached for comment.

In addition to having the opportunity to travel and conduct research, the six undergraduates will assist in arranging the Adel Mahmoud Lecture Series in Global Health, which brings notable researchers and practitioners in global-health policy to the University.

The program, supported by the pharmaceutical company Merck, honors Adel Mahmoud, a lecturer in the molecular biology department, for his previous work as Merck’s president and his many contributions to global-health policy.

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The Wilson School selected the six students after they completed a competitive application and interview process. Students were chosen based on their academic performance and their submitted proposals for work and research in global health.