Science Heals: A Summer of Global Health Research - Week 1

By Nzuekoh Nchinda
Dipping into the Research Pool
 
It has only been three weeks, but this summer before my junior year is proving to be one of the most enjoyable and stimulating experiences I have ever had. It has been a wonderful introduction to the breadth and depth of the life sciences.  Upon beginning my undergraduate years at Harvard College, I knew that global health was the field in which I was most passionate. Being a native of Cameroon, I am interested in eventually returning to work in hospitals and serve through international health organizations back home. Thus, scientific areas of research such as malaria and HIV/AIDS strongly resonate with me. 

So naturally, Dr. Sarah Fortune’s work with tuberculosis immediately
peaked my interest. And upon meeting with her, I immediately knew that her lab was just the right way to engage in hands-on exploration of 

scientific bench research, and also view the findings in the light of its implications on the welfare of epidemic-hit third world regions. Made possible by the Harvard Global Health Institute, this opportunity at the Fortune lab will add significantly to my understanding of molecular biology and international health policy, and compliment my academic studies as a Chemistry concentrator with a Global Health and Health Policy secondary field. 

Dr. Fortune’s laboratory, located at the Harvard School of Public Health, uses molecular biology lab techniques and new technologies to study biological problems involving Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Areas of interest include genetic and epidemic variation, the ESX1 secretion system—an essential mechanism that allow pathogenic bacteria to take control of host cells in the body in order to replicate, and mutability of the bacterium and consequent multidrug resistance.

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