The day started off in the lab with Natalie, which was super cool. We first were in the lab I have been working in where she showed me an instrument used to measure degradation at different temperatures, and measure certain points such as full degradation among others. This machine can go up to 900 degrees Celsius, so it can measure many different temperatures. The machine is connected to a computer and has its own program so you program it to do different things in terms of temperature. So for the project she’s working on now, Natalie set it to increase 10 degrees C every minute until it gets to 800 degrees C. To start Natalie put the little platinum dish in the machine and tared it, and then added about 8 mg of the polymer we were testing. The machine then did its thing and we left it to run, since it takes around 2 hours. While it was running the program on the computer was collecting real time data so we could see the amount of the polymer degrading. Afterwards we went to another building to go into another lab with a different instrument she was going to show me how to use. This machine quantifies the amount of crystalline vs amorphous material that makes up the substance. She also explained to me how different amount of amorphous material can effect if the solid is brittle or soft, and how this affects is first order transition and the amount of energy that is needed/ released from this reaction. We also discussed other types of endo/exothermic reactions, which was interesting since I could see a concept I learned in chemistry this year come into play in the real world. After teaching me how to use this machine and getting to use a really cool massing device (that had 5 sig figs in mg!) we went back the other building and i got some time work on a mini project i got assigned and do some reading. I got settled in my very own office and started working on the project- to make a power point of pictures explaining how the device works, to show to focuses groups of women in Africa to get their opinions and suggestions. During this time I also did some additional reading on the project and looked at some other presentations. Afterwards it was time for lunch, so I went with Alice, Natalie, and Valeria (all on the project), and we talked about the project but also got to know each other better. Then after lunch I got to go in the lab again! This time I was working with Pafio. He taught me how they use a spectrophotometer, the measure the amount of drug in the buffer solutions. I got to pipette some buffers into the dish, put it in the sectrophotometer, analyze the data, and learn how they clean it. Afterwards I helped Pafio make some buffer solutions they would need for tomorrow. So i just put 100 ml of a solution with a pH of 7.4 that was made up of various chemicals with 900 ml of water that is even more pure than DI water!! I made about 8, 1 L bottles of solutions. Afterwards I got a little more time to work on my project. Overall I got to spend lots of time in the lab and learn about new instruments which i loved!! I can’t wait for tomorrow. 
Tag: Public Health
Day 3 – Hands-on Learning
Today was absolutely one for the books – we had some awesome discussions, learned even more about IUDs and reproductive health, and even toured a testing lab.
We began with a conversation with Irina Yacobsen. She told us all about how she was a practicing doctor in Russia, but decided it was too much hassle to go through the process of becoming a doctor when she moved to the US, leading to her going into Public Health. She discussed all the awesome projects that she has been working on, all of which are intended to train volunteers and medical professionals in developing countries, as opposed to just doing the work themselves. The way see it, it’s kind of like teaching a man to fish instead of giving a man a fish (as the old saying goes).
Next (my favorite part of the day), we went to the FHI 360 lab, called PQC. The first part of the tour was testing for medical devices, but we mostly saw condom testing. We watched them blow up a condom (it was HUGE and burst at about 50 L of air) and put water in them to check for leaks, as well as submerge unopened condoms in water to check for leaks.
Next, we got to the second part of the lab, in which they use chemistry, mostly to determine the composition of different pills. This part was especially intriguing because me and the other advanced chemistry kids were able to understand a surprising amount of what they did, and had even done labs on some of it. The experience only solidified my love for the subject.
After we got back and had lunch, we met with two other incredible people. First, Marta Pirazdeh talked to us about her role, which was very unique as she focused more on the “marketing” side than the “medicine” side. Her idea was that research doesn’t matter if you aren’t able to convey the information to the appropriate audience and share it, so her job as a technical officer was to introduce visual products and education to use the research.
Finally, we met with Dr. David Hubacher, a scientist who was VERY widely loved at FHI 360. He shared a lot with us about IUDS, including his collection of all the different types over the years (see below). He had endless knowledge at the tip of his tongue, so much so that there wasn’t a question he couldn’t answer.
After we picked his brain for almost double the allotted time, it was time to call it a day and rest our brains. Can’t wait for tomorrow!
Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Day 2 at FHI 360
The second day at FHI 360 revolved primarily around one aspect of public health: contraception. FHI’s mission has expanded significantly to encompass various aspects of public and family health since its inception, however one of its original goals of promoting contraception and family planning has remained a key component of its work. Yesterday, we were introduced to Mrs. Sergison, who gave us an extensive look into how the human reproductive system operates, and the various aspects of it that contraceptive methods inhibit, in order to prevent pregnancy. We learned about the three levels of efficacy within the contraceptive field: low efficacy, moderate efficacy, and high efficacy. At the bottom, are low efficacy methods, which surprisingly are the ones most apparent in media, like condoms and vaginal rings. Then we learned about, moderately effective methods like birth control pills, and finally we were introduced to the implants and intrauterine devices that FHI 360 is working on developing. Different technologies like Mirena, and biodegradable implants are predicted to be the future of birth control, and FHI 360 is working tirelessly to develop and research those methods in their existing form.
One of my primary goals at FHI 360 will be centered around user-centered design, or UCD. You may have the best birth control on the market or another groundbreaking technology, but the potential to be revolutionary only comes from the consumers; if no one is willing to use your product, it doesn’t matter how good it is. At FHI 360, one of the objectives that Salma, Chiara, Krishan, and I are focused on is figuring out the facilitators and inhibitors of adherence to contraceptives, as well as what women are looking for in contraception around the world. The goal of compiling the data, is to be able to inform scientists and engineers on technologies that should be prioritized. A significant obstacle that FHI 360 faces, is the conservative administration and congress. Relying on government grant money, FHI 360 isn’t given unlimited funding – especially not in 2018. The impact of that on the organization, is a heightened focus on proper resource allocation, pragmatism, and the actual needs of the consumers. 
Day 2
Today was my second day at RTI International and I stated the day off with a meeting with around 25 RTI employees from around the country to discuss and strategize about global health. Everyone discussed what they did at RTI and the different projects they have worked on, and it was very interesting to hear all the different things RTI covers from biostatistics to epidemiology. After they explained what every section did and what they were currently working on, the group discussed different foundations and grants. Since RTI is a non profit they rely on government spending and grants. This was an all day meeting, however, I left after this part since I was going to do work in the lab. After I ate lunch I went to the lab and pipetted different buffer solutions that would later be sent to a lab to analyze. I pipetted 2 ml of each solutions into a 2 ml vile using an 1000 micro liter pipettor. Over all, it was a great day having been able to sit in on a meeting and do lab work!!
Day 2 – More About Reproductive Health and Contraceptives (+ a Durham Bulls Game!)
Our awesome first day at FHI 360 left me with very high expectations for our two weeks, and our second day was no different!
We started the day by working on a project that we have been tasked with – finding a way to use social media to gather feedback on a topic of global health interest, such as contraceptives, water and sanitation, or malaria. In our mere 30 minutes of brainstorming, we came up with many ideas, and are now working on a presentation that discusses the benefits of an FHI 360 Instagram account, which would include giveaways to spread awareness, Q and A sessions on Instagram’s live video tool, and polls and sliders to learn more about what users want.
For the rest of the day, we were lucky to spend time with many people who shared their journey and experiences. First, Jill Ferguson, who is a scientist for FHI 360 AND a Nurse Midwife at Duke, gave us a basic lesson on anatomy, types of contraception and how they work, and physiology. This lesson has already proven to be incredibly helpful to our work at FHI 360. Additionally, everyone at FHI 360 told us that the topic of reproductive health is uncomfortable for everyone at first, but becomes incredibly normal over time – that is becoming true for me and my Cary Academy peers!
Next, we talked to Betsy Tolley, who works with BECS just like Dr. Lorenzetti from yesterday. She shared her journey with us, and it showed me that, no matter how sure I am about what I want to do with my life, things change, and that’s okay!
After that, we ate lunch on the balcony facing the Durham Bulls Baseball fields. Yesterday, I didn’t think the view could get any better, but there was actually a game going on! We hung out there in awe of how lucky we were to be at FHI 360.
Next, we met with Dr. Laneta Dorflinger, the director of the CTID, again. Just like Dr. Tolley, her story was so intriguing. She also talked to us a little more about the different types of contraceptives and how they worked.
Last, but not least, we talked to Dr. Rebecca Callahan, a scientist with the CTID. She talked to us about a project that she was working on in Kenya and India, where she collected qualitative and quantitative data to figure out which aspect of birth control was most important for them (ex. price, visibility, duration). We will be helping Dr. Callahan to put her findings together in a powerpoint later on.
We finished the day with our heads spinning from all of the incredible and intelligent people we had met and everything we had learned. After some more time working on our innovation project, we hit the road, exhausted.
the, as I like to call it, “contraceptives collection”FHI 360: Welcome to the Office, Day 1
The first day at FHI360 was a great introduction to global health and health policy. We met several leaders in the world of healthcare, and learned about FHI 360’s story and mission. FHI 360 originally started as an organization specifically focused on women’s health, aiming to provide resources and support to regions where it was otherwise-inaccessible. Over the years, the organization has expanded, taking a broader approach to global health in general. At FHI, my role will center around researching, promoting global health, and proposing solutions to managing a balance between health and wealth. 
Day 1- First Day at RTI!
Today was my first day at RTI located in RTP working with Dr. Ginger Rothrock! Although the traffic was a little heavier than my usual commute to 1600 N Harrison avenue and I may or may not have gotten lost on the way, it was a great day! I started the day off by talking to Dr. Rothrock about what RTI does and more specifically the project she’s working on right- a HIV insert-able prevention device. It was really interesting to learn about how RTI works with to improve global health in a variety of ways in terms of applied science. After she explained RTI’s general mission and the specifics of the project, she gave me some information to read from preparation for tomorrow’s all day meeting. After reading we went to go get me a badge so i could get into the building. The we went to lunch at RTI’s new cafeteria, and talked more about the all day meeting on Wednesday- where a group of people from around the country will come together to discuss global health and its agenda. After lunch I got to go into the lab with Natalie and Alice, who are both working on the case. They showed and explained to me the device in which they are working to develop. Then they even let me try to make one of my own! But instead of the drug I used coffee creamer which is a similar consistency. Then they showed and explained to me the data so far and how they collected it-which was very cool. It was really interesting to see some of the concepts and methods I learned in chem being used. I can’t wait for the week to come!
Day 1 – Learning about FHI 360
Our first day at FHI 360 was one full of admiring the GORGEOUS office space, learning a little more about the organization, and learning the ropes (it took us quite a while to find the parking garage).
We started the morning with a tour from Ms. Donna Vasco, the Executive Assistant of the Contraceptive Technology Innovation Initiative, where she showed us everything from the modern kitchen to the library to, my favorite, the office overlooking the Durham Bulls baseball field. Everywhere we looked there were brightly colored windows and pictures of smiling kids and adults from Africa, Asia, and everywhere else.
After our tour, Dr. Laneta Dorflinger, the director of the CTI Initiative, and Dr. Kavita Nanda, who does lots of the group’s research on contraceptives, told us a little more about the organization and their group focus. We learned that the organization had had lots of change in the past decade, from their switch to this Durham location to changing their name from FHI (Family Health International) to FHI 360 to changing what they researched. We also learned lots about contraceptives in general, including the main things that need to be improved and the types. I thought it was really interesting that Dr. Nanda’s group was working on making biodegradable contraceptives!
Following this, we got a little more into the research aspect. Dr. Lara Lorenzetti, who works with the BECS group, talked to us about a project that she had for us. Her group focuses on the behavioral and social aspects of public health. For example, in her current research, she is examining adherence and retention of HIV medicine in Mozambique. Specifically, she is trying to determine whether community savings groups, where many people pool their money to help them afford medical care, improve the amount in which people take their medicine. She is finding all of the articles about the benefits of community savings groups and articles about the reasons people in sub-Saharan Africa do or do not take their medications, and comparing these results. She needed our help going through the articles and determining which ones would be beneficial for her research. For the rest of the day, starting after lunch, we worked with FHI-360’s Library Associate and Library Manager to learn more about the tools that Dr. Lorenzetti and her group use to conduct this research. In the future, we will use these tools for quite a few projects.
One day working here has already taught me more about what I want to do in the future – I can’t wait for tomorrow!
