Medical & Molecular Sciences

Ph.D. Student

"The graduate program hasn't been easy. It is never easy, but you just have to love what you're doing. I have always been interested in global and public health issues. It led me to participate briefly in medical anthropological research where I theoretically studied the impact of financial insecurity on physical and mental well-being. It widened my knowledge of how financial insecurity can cause individuals to re-prioritize preventive medical care, such as vaccinations. I’m [currently] a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences.

Due to the increased rate of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and limited worldwide vaccination programs, I am working closely with the best advisers and experts on HPV research to evaluate Global HPV spectrum, with particular emphasis on developing countries. HPV is the most common STI, like the most common - and it's very asymptomatic. The only vaccine available is in the U.S., and people carry this for years and nothing happens until they’re immunocompromised. From our little research across the globe, the prevalence is different. With the research we saw in Korea, they have a different prevalence of HPV type, which is not the same with the U.S., so the vaccines that are available might not really fit the people in that geography.

I'm positive toward any situation because that's the only way you can get through it. I know it’s hard, but I try."