by Caroline Plaza, bachelor of Public Health candidate, California State University – Northridge, and participant in the 2021 Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program- Global & Public Health Track
This summer I had the absolute honor and privilege to work with Matthew Kuhlmann, MD, MSCI, and Jenna Diaz, MD. Dr. Kuhlmann is an assistance professor in Medicine in the Division of Infection Diseases and Dr. Diaz is a Gastroenterology Fellow. The pilot study I worked on is about children with diarrheal disease in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. Haïtien children under the age of three experience frequent diarrhea, causing damage to intestinal epithelial cells, which may cause malnutrition. Ultimately the goal of the study is to create data for future and larger investigations that address the extreme burden of diarrheal disease to children in Haiti. By participating in the Institute for Public Health Summer Program – Public and Global Health Track and working with my mentors, I learned valuable research skills that I will need in the not-so-distant future.
In addition, I have expanded my interest in health disparities and global health research. It is of the utmost importance that global health professionals reach underserved communities around the world because all people deserve to be healthy and have success in life. I have learned of the absolute necessity to have health, wellbeing, and basic-needs met early in life and continued throughout it. Lastly, global health and research are needed for the global north to fix the mistakes of the past and create a world that provides opportunities to all.
The program has met all of my expectations of a summer research experience. I have learned many skills that I will need to be a successful global health researcher in the future. It takes a lot of time, dedication, and patience; however, passion towards the cause is the most important. The process can be very time consuming and confusing but is also very rewarding. This summer, I have also learned what it will be like to be a graduate student and work on my own. Due to the virtual environment, I had to make my own decisions and teach myself certain research skills, for example, statistical analysis. The program has helped me develop into a better researcher, student, and human being.
Thank you to everyone who has made this summer research experience something I will remember for the rest of my life. It takes a lot of work to create a program that is so successful, and I am very appreciative of everything that has been done for the students.