Written by Albina Hashmi, BS candidate, University of Texas at Austin; and the Mark and Cathleen Reifsteck Summer Research Scholar in the 2024 Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program
As part of the RADIANCE Track of the Summer Research Program I joined the lab of mentor, Alex Ramsey, PhD. In the beginning, I was apprehensive of what was to come. Lung cancer was not a topic I had much experience with, nor was it an area I considered focusing on in my medical career. I was always sure of what I wanted to pursue. I wanted to work in pediatrics with a focus on global health and health-care equity… and here I was about to analyze data on adult smokers in the St. Louis area. Thankfully, the apprehension I had was short-lived. From our first meeting, Associate Professor Ramsey and the research team encouraged me to approach the data with curiosity and an open mind, emphasizing the broader implications of our work beyond just lung cancer.
The most impactful experience has been actively engaging with patients. One patient had mentioned that her kids wanted her to quit smoking and how it was affecting them. This revelation illustrated how adult health decisions directly impact the well-being of children, reinforcing the importance of family-centered approaches in healthcare. This showed me how work in adult medicine can have profound effects on pediatric health. Another patient discussed the stressors that led him to start smoking at the age of 9. These encounters brought the statistics to life, revealing the complex tapestry of human experiences behind the data we were analyzing. These were not just numbers, they were people. They highlighted the intricate interplay between personal circumstances, societal factors, and health outcomes. I began to see how social determinants of health were equally crucial in understanding and treating adult lung cancer patients.
This experience has taught me the true meaning of “think global, act local.” While my aspirations in global health remain strong, I’ve come to appreciate the profound impact of local interventions. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by smokers in St. Louis, we are contributing to the global body of knowledge on smoking cessation, lung cancer prevention, and what helps motivate smoking cessation.
As I reflect on my journey, I am amazed at how much my perspective has broadened. I now see opportunities for impact and innovation in unexpected places, and I am excited to explore how I can integrate these new insights into my future career in pediatrics and global health. The horizons of my medical future have been significantly expanded, not by changing course, but by discovering new connections and possibilities within the vast landscape of healthcare.
This summer has reinforced that keeping an open mind and embracing new experiences can lead to personal and professional growth in ways we never anticipated.