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Harris
Alesha Harris (left) receives her $500 scholarship donation from TEHA President Susan Yates (right).
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UNT student awarded scholarship for public health work in post-Katrina New Orleans
DENTON (UNT), Texas — Alesha Harris, a graduate student in the University of North Texas Department of Chemistry, lost many things in Hurricane Katrina but her optimism wasn’t one of them. She was recently awarded a $500 scholarship donation from the Texas Environmental Health Association for her public health work in post-Katrina New Orleans. Harris, the daughter of the Rev. James Earl Harris and Dr. Shawneequa Harris of DeSoto, Texas, said she was thankful to have a home to go back to during the evacuation. “I lost a lot of personal belongings and things that were familiar to me,” said Harris, who plans to complete a doctoral degree in chemistry in 2013. “But I just stayed positive and kept believing everything would turn out all right.” Harris, 22, said she felt compelled to return to New Orleans as a result of the devastation caused to the Dillard University campus, where she received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in May 2008. Throughout spring 2007, Harris assisted the New Orleans Health Department to conduct several research projects, including Head-off Environmental Asthma in Louisiana, HIV/AIDS Review, and the Greater New Orleans Medical Recovery Week in partnership with Operation Blessing. Harris’ participation with the HEAL project involved learning about the effects of mold and other indoor allergens on children with asthma in New Orleans. “I would visit schools and encourage children to fill out surveys to determine the best way to help them,” Harris said. In addition, Harris worked on the HIV/AIDS Review project where she evaluated the records of HIV patients to make sure they were treated properly. During Operation Blessing, a medical event held Jan. 28 through Feb. 3, 2007, 75 physicians and 35 dentists from around the country volunteered to provide medical services throughout the week. Harris worked in a tent space of more than 20,000 square feet where she transcribed health records for people without insurance to give to the doctors. “Seeing people get the help that they needed was very rewarding,” Harris said. “Their spirits were down and it was nice to know that our efforts made a difference.” Harris said she will use the TEHA scholarship donation to purchase textbooks for her chemistry courses at UNT. “To receive this award means that environmental health is making an impact among college institutions,” Harris said. “Everything starts at the chemistry level and I want to further my knowledge in the field so that someday I can run my own health clinic.” The Texas Environmental Health Association is a statewide, non-profit professional and educational organization for people who work to abate environmental hazards for the betterment of human health and well-being. The association establishes a common meeting ground for professionals involved in all program areas identified as components of the broad field of environmental health.
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Buddy Price (940) 565-2943
Email: buddy.price@unt.edu
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