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LAURA CERTAIN
Genome Sciences

 Laura Certain is a Ph.D. candidate in Genome Sciences, where she is using an interdisciplinary approach in her study of the genetic changes that underlie resistance to antimalaria drugs in Plasmodium falciparum.  On the UW campus she has served on the board of a student group on international group that has organized several regional conferences on Global Health.

Ms. Certain's personal statement:      

"I came to the University of Washington to study tropical diseases and to raise awareness about the health of world populations.  To achieve these goals, I joined a lab that studies malaria, traveled to Africa to gain experience working in the developing world, and helped create an international health student interest group.  All three activities contribute to the skill-set necessary for an effective career in global health, a career I hope to pursue once I complete my degree.  Though drawn to pure science, I want to have an immediate effect on the world--improving global health is the driving force behind my research.

"For my doctoral thesis, I work in Prof. Carol Sibley's lab in the Genome Sciences department, studying the genetics of drug resistance in malaria.  I chose to join Prof. Sibley's lab because she and I share a commitment to doing research that benefits underserved populations; most victims of malaria are young children living in sub-Saharan Africa.  Drugs to treat malaria exist, but ones affordable in the developing world are rapidly becoming ineffective due to drug resistance.  The Sibley Lab works both characterize new anti-malarial drugs¹ and to determine how resistance to existing drugs developed, so that new drugs can be designed to remain effective as along as possible.  For my thesis, I am investigating whether resistance to a particular anti-malarial drug emerged once, and then that single resistant strain spread across the globe, or whether resistance emerged many times, in many areas.  The outcome of my research will provide insight into the best way to monitor resistance to new anti-malarial drugs, and it is this practical implication of my project that keeps me motivated through the ups and downs of academic research.

"However, an effective career in global health requires more than lab experience; one must also understand the social, economic, cultural, and political issues involved.  To gain this understanding, I traveled to Africa.  I spent the summer of 2003 studying malaria in Mali, living in small villages and working with a research team to collect blood samples and patient data.  Though the doctors and biologists on the team could diagnose and treat malaria, they could not prevent it, teaching me that solving the problem of malaria in Mali will take experience from many backgrounds: environmental engineers to eliminate mosquito breeding areas, community workers to educate the local population about prevention, and economists to reduce the cost of bed nets and anti-malarial drugs.  Last September, I traveled to Kenya to collect samples for my thesis project.  I worked in a laboratory in Nairobi and visited a district hospital in a small coastal town.  While seeing patients with one of the hospital pediatricians, I encountered a young boy who had not received his prescribed medications; the paper-based system for prescriptions had allowed this patient to slip through the cracks.  I thereby learned that any effective malaria treatment program must be well-organized, simple, and resistant to human error.  When I recommend policy based on my research, I will remember my trip to Kenya.  Both trips to Africa have enhanced my ability to assess and treat global health problems.

"In addition to preparing myself for a career in global health, I have worked to raise awareness in others.  As part of a four-year term on the Board of the International Health Group (IHG), a student interest group, I helped increase global health opportunities for students at UW.  During my tenure, IHG created two global health courses (MED560; MED 561), two programs to send medical students abroad, and held the First and Third Annual Western Regional International Health Conferences.²  Though I helped with all projects, my largest contribution to IHG was co-chairing the Third Annual Western Regional International Health Conference.³  The conference, entitled 'Politics, Social Justice and Global Health,' took place February 18-20, 2005, and attracted more than 700 participants.  Speakers represented universities, the U.S. government, international health organizations, religious charities, and non-governmental organizations.  Attendees were students, researchers, and community members.  Thus, the conference was a forum for people from diverse backgrounds to learn from each other and to discuss global health problems.  Because such connections are integral to finding solutions, I was proud to have facilitated their creation.

"Since arriving at UW, I have pursued my interest in global health.  Studying the genetics of drug resistance in malaria satisfies my scientific curiosity and adds one small piece to an effort to ameliorate the health of those in the developing world.  Visiting Africa increased my awareness of the complexity of global health problems.  Working on the IHG Board connected me to global health workers from diverse backgrounds and expanded the global health community at UW.  Upon graduation, I look forward to using the skills and knowledge I have acquired to improve the health of populations worldwide."

¹ These new drugs are developed by Jacobus Pharmaceuticals, a small company in New Jersey.  The Sibley Lab estimates how easily resistance to the new drugs might arise.

² For more information about IHG, please visit depts.washington.edu/ihg

³for more information about the conference, please visit www.pspgh.org

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