University: University at Albany, State University of New York
Hometown: Albany, NY
NIH Research Project:
Cost Analysis of Therapy for Hepatitis C among Persons Co-Infected with HIV-1 and Hepatitis C
Mentor: Michael Polis, M.D.
Laboratory of Immunoregulation
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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I am a recent graduate of the University at Albany in New York, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology. I grew up in Ghana, West Africa, and as a result of my experiences with infectious diseases, particularly AIDS and malaria, I developed an interest in research and medicine.
At the University at Albany, I explored this interest by participating in the 1999 Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship at Albany Medical College Graduate School. I trained with Dr. Dee Van Riper on determining the stepwise reactions responsible for contraction of smooth muscle cells in blood vessels.
In the summer of 2000, I trained with Dr. Rabi Musah in the Chemistry Department of SUNY Albany as a Ronald McNair Scholar. My research focused on structure-based drug design targeting specific proteins important in the life cycle of HIV-1.
This summer, as a UGSP Scholar, I am exploring clinical research. I am training with Dr. Michael Polis at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the Laboratory of Immunoregulation. One of my projects involves the determination of efficacy and a cost analysis of hepatitis C therapy for persons infected with both HIV-1 and hepatitis C.
I will be attending Harvard Medical School this fall where I plan to pursue a combined M.D./Ph.D. My professional aspirations include becoming a physician-scientist with a specialty in tropical infectious diseases. |
