Downs fellows share a world of knowledge

Last summer, 17 students in medicine, nursing and public health traveled to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Latin America on research projects supported by the Downs International Health Student Travel Fellowship. In October they reported on their findings on topics including diabetes risk in Haiti and post-traumatic stress disorder among victims of chemical attacks in Iran. Three students made oral presentations. Medical student Jessica Beard described the mental health of children in a refugee camp in northwestern Kenya. Anna M. Beitin, a student in public health, reported on the genetic susceptibility of children in Zambia to malaria. And nursing student Catherine E. Virostko, on right in photo, discussed the beliefs and practices of traditional birth attendants in Kenya regarding HIV/AIDS.