{"id":19016,"date":"2023-02-11T11:44:15","date_gmt":"2023-02-11T15:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/?p=19016"},"modified":"2024-07-29T09:26:42","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T13:26:42","slug":"tropical-diseases-ghana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/tropical-diseases-ghana\/","title":{"rendered":"Future Physician Targets Tropical Diseases in Ghana"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/35-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Kramer in the Centre for Research in Applied Biology\" class=\"wp-image-19052\" style=\"width:353px;height:265px\" width=\"353\" height=\"265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/35-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/35-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/35-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/35-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/35-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 353px) 100vw, 353px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rachel Kramer &#8217;23 in the Centre for Research in Applied Biology (CeRAB) at UENR with Ankrah, Babae, Kramer and Rabi Baidoo from left to right. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/7-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer in a classroom full of children\" class=\"wp-image-19024\" style=\"width:361px;height:271px\" width=\"361\" height=\"271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/7-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/7-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/7-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/7-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/7-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer collecting samples from schoolchildren.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/20-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer with four friends\" class=\"wp-image-19037\" style=\"width:352px;height:264px\" width=\"352\" height=\"264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/20-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/20-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/20-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/20-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/20-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer and friends sharing a home-cooked meal by Ankrah  during the \u201cgoing-away party\u201d they all threw for her at the end of the summer.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>With the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11, Kalamazoo College commonly celebrates the accomplishments of scientists such as Rachel Kramer \u201923.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The day, first marked by the United Nations in 2015, encourages women scientists, and targets equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Such a day is desired because U.N. statistics show that fewer than 30 percent of scientific researchers in the world are women and only about 30 percent of all female students select fields in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) to pursue in their higher education. Only about 22 percent of the professionals in cutting edge fields such as artificial intelligence are women, and representation among women is especially low professionally in fields such as information and communication technology, natural science, mathematics, statistics and engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/25-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer comforting a child providing a blood sample\" class=\"wp-image-19042\" style=\"width:345px;height:460px\" width=\"345\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/25-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/25-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/25-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/25-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/25.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 345px) 100vw, 345px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer often found herself comforting community members like this child as they gave their blood samples for tropical disease research.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/1-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer with NeTroDis Research team at the University of Energy and Natural Resources\" class=\"wp-image-19018\" style=\"width:354px;height:472px\" width=\"354\" height=\"472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/1-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/1-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/1-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/1.jpg 1821w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 354px) 100vw, 354px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rachel Kramer &#8217;23 stands with a NeTroDis Research team at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR). From left to right in the bottom row are Dr. Kenneth Bentum Otabil, Kramer, Ms. Blessing Ankrah, and Theophilus Nti Babae. From left to right in the top row are Charles Addai and Emmanual Bart-Plange. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/37-600x571.jpg\" alt=\"Kramer enjoying fresh Ghanaian coconut \" class=\"wp-image-19054\" style=\"width:346px;height:329px\" width=\"346\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/37-600x571.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/37-300x286.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/37-150x143.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/37.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer enjoying fresh Ghanaian coconut after Sunday service.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Kramer\u2014a biochemistry major with a concentration in community and global health and a minor in Spanish\u2014is bucking that trend. She will attend the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine in July 2023. Plus, she completed 10 weeks of research last summer investigating health inequities in Ghana, Africa, while collecting data and researching Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD\u2019s) for her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/k-plan\/sip\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/k-plan\/sip\/\">Senior Integrated Project (SIP)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lead up to her SIP opportunity began two summers ago when she decided to get into volunteer work abroad through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volunteerhq.org\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.volunteerhq.org\/\">International Volunteer Head Quarters (IVHQ)<\/a>. At that time, she spent two weeks in Ghana, where she performed health care outreach by providing wound care to people in remote areas under the supervision of local health professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/2-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer stands with four other people\" class=\"wp-image-19019\" style=\"width:316px;height:237px\" width=\"316\" height=\"237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/2-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/2-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/2-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 316px) 100vw, 316px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer, the NeTroDis Team and their study clinician, Dr. Vera Darko (far right), on the far left meet the president of the regional hospital (middle) to inform him of their research.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/3-600x576.jpg\" alt=\"Ankrah and Otabil introduce Kramer to UENR\u2019s Dean of Science at UENR, Professor SF Gyasi\" class=\"wp-image-19020\" style=\"width:334px;height:321px\" width=\"334\" height=\"321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/3-600x576.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/3-300x288.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/3-150x144.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/3-1536x1475.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/3.jpg 1618w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 334px) 100vw, 334px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ankrah and Otabil introduce Kramer to UENR\u2019s Dean of Science at UENR, Professor SF Gyasi. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/5-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer hugging Blessing Ankrah\" class=\"wp-image-19022\" style=\"width:327px;height:436px\" width=\"327\" height=\"436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/5-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/5-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/5-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/5-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/5.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 327px) 100vw, 327px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer and her host mother, Blessing Ankrah.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>While she was there, she saw people with parasitic diseases which she later found out were considered to be NTD\u2019s. Such diseases are of special interest to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, the two organizations have a roadmap for eradicating NTD\u2019s by 2030, which involves working with local researchers in endemic regions to collect data to inform policy to better protect and serve the people affected by NTD&#8217;s. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI saw children 5 years old and younger with these ulcers half an inch deep in their ankles and feet,\u201d Kramer said. \u201cIt struck me and I knew that these things shouldn&#8217;t be happening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even before returning to Michigan, Kramer knew she wanted to go back to Ghana and develop her SIP there as her way of helping to solve the health issues she witnessed. She just didn\u2019t know what might provide that opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-4 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/16-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer standing with her SIP\" class=\"wp-image-19033\" style=\"width:331px;height:441px\" width=\"331\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/16-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/16-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/16-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/16-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/16.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 331px) 100vw, 331px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer in front of Kalamazoo College\u2019s Dow Science Center, holding her 101-page SIP just before turning it in.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/26-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Tropical disease researchers pack into a van\" class=\"wp-image-19043\" style=\"width:353px;height:265px\" width=\"353\" height=\"265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/26-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/26-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/26-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/26-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/26-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 353px) 100vw, 353px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer and UENR students and staff packed into vans like this with all their gear to travel to fieldwork destinations. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/27-600x338.jpg\" alt=\"What tropical disease researchers see under a microscope\" class=\"wp-image-19044\" style=\"width:348px;height:196px\" width=\"348\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/27-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/27-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/27-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/27.jpg 698w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A microscopic view of a participant sample.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After several random conversations asking people, including K alumni, about anyone doing research there, Kramer reached out through Twitter to Blessing Ankrah, a researcher with the NeTroDis Research Group, a non-governmental agency at the <a href=\"https:\/\/uenr.edu.gh\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/uenr.edu.gh\/\">University of Energy and Natural Resources<\/a> (UENR) in Sunyani, Bono Region of Ghana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTwo weeks later, she ended up responding and said she&#8217;d be happy to collaborate,\u201d Kramer said. \u201cWe started talking on Zoom and WhatsApp, and she decided to have me work on a project where they were updating the prevalence rates of two neglected tropical diseases called schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/29-457x800.jpg\" alt=\"People walking down a flooded dirt road\" class=\"wp-image-19046\" style=\"width:334px;height:585px\" width=\"334\" height=\"585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/29-457x800.jpg 457w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/29-286x500.jpg 286w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/29-86x150.jpg 86w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/29-878x1536.jpg 878w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/29.jpg 897w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 334px) 100vw, 334px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Terrain such as the one pictured were roads teams had to walk several miles on in order to reach some of the communities. This contributes to why diseases are considered neglected. They are difficult for researchers and health personnel to reach. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/28-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Researchers looking at books and forms to translate documents\" class=\"wp-image-19045\" style=\"width:351px;height:468px\" width=\"351\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/28-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/28-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/28-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/28-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/28.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Multilingual UENR students are seen translating the research forms from English to Twi so the community members, who speak Twi, could participate in the research. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/32-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Four at a birthday party\" class=\"wp-image-19049\" style=\"width:347px;height:463px\" width=\"347\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/32-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/32-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/32-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/32-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/32.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer celebrating Doris Berkoh\u2019s (professor of Biochemistry at UENR) birthday with other UENR Biological Science faculty and staff. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the CDC, schistosomiasis parasites live in some types of freshwater snails, and humans become infected when their skin touches contaminated water. Health-care professionals diagnose schistosomiasis through urine and stool samples. Within days of becoming infected, patients typically develop a rash or itchy skin. Fever, chills, cough and muscle aches can begin within a month or two of infection. If left untreated, this disease can become fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soil-transmitted helminthiasis, the CDC says, targets human intestines as parasites\u2019 eggs are passed in feces. If an infected person defecates outside\u2014near bushes, in a garden or on a field, for example\u2014parasitic eggs are deposited on soil. People can ingest the parasites when they eat fruits and vegetables that have not been carefully cooked, washed or peeled. Some infections can cause a range of health problems, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood and protein loss, rectal prolapse, and slowed or stunted physical and cognitive growth. Similar to schistosomiasis, if untreated, this disease can become fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-6 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/38-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Group photo at Mole National Park\" class=\"wp-image-19055\" style=\"width:315px;height:236px\" width=\"315\" height=\"236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/38-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/38-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/38-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/38-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/38-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 315px) 100vw, 315px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Group photo of Kramer and the junior year biological science students on the field trip to Mole National Park <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/34.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer surrounded by children\" class=\"wp-image-19051\" style=\"width:339px;height:254px\" width=\"339\" height=\"254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/34.jpg 523w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/34-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/34-150x112.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer celebrating Cultural Day at a local Montessori.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/19-600x338.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer surrounded by community members\" class=\"wp-image-19036\" style=\"width:341px;height:192px\" width=\"341\" height=\"192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/19-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/19-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/19-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/19-1536x866.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/19-2048x1154.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer standing with members of a community NeTroDis researchers visited after watching them construct a hand-made xylophone with wooden planks, leaves and a hole in the ground. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Ankrah became a host mom to Kramer as both worked on the project to update and investigate the relevance, intensity and risk factors of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in selected rural and hard-to-reach communities in the Bono and Bono East regions of Ghana. The opportunity was funded by the Hough SIP Grant and the Collins Fellowship through Student Projects Abroad (SPA) funding, both of which were through Kalamazoo College. .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis summer was an experience where I was not only a researcher, but I was also a student and a family member,\u201d Kramer said. \u201cBlessing was able to show me what the food was like, what the people were like, what the culture was like and it was just an amazing life experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/39-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Students at Mole National Park\" class=\"wp-image-19056\" style=\"width:353px;height:470px\" width=\"353\" height=\"470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/39-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/39-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/39-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/39-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/39.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 353px) 100vw, 353px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer with UENR students in the savanna on the field trip to Mole National Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/36-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer looking through a microscope\" class=\"wp-image-19053\" style=\"width:361px;height:481px\" width=\"361\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/36-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/36-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/36-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/36-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/36.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer in the Centre for Research in Applied Biology (CeRAB) at UENR microscopically analyzing samples.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/31-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Picking out clothes from a pile\" class=\"wp-image-19048\" style=\"width:358px;height:477px\" width=\"358\" height=\"477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/31-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/31-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/31-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/31-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/31.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 358px) 100vw, 358px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bringing clothes for community members during fieldwork visits.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet research definitely remained the purpose of her visit. For the first three weeks, it was necessary for the researchers to perform paperwork during business hours to ensure the ethical approval of the project by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) committees at UENR. During the evening hours, Ankrah introduced Kramer to her family and friends including host brother Lord Owusu Ansah; the university\u2019s president, vice president and dean of science; and regional hospital leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the five-week field work began, Kramer and her fellow researchers traveled to eight isolated communities that had as few as five and as many as 200 residents to collect socio demographic and qualitative data along with urine and stool samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/30.jpg\" alt=\"Four researchers walking down a dirt road\" class=\"wp-image-19047\" style=\"width:327px;height:245px\" width=\"327\" height=\"245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/30.jpg 523w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/30-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/30-150x112.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 327px) 100vw, 327px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">NeTroDis team walking on the dirt road to get to the communities. From left to right Theophilus Nti Babae, Otabil, Divine and Kramer. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/22-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer in front of a tree with large roots\" class=\"wp-image-19039\" style=\"width:348px;height:261px\" width=\"348\" height=\"261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/22-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/22-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/22-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/22-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/22-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer at one of the community sites for field work.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/18-600x450.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer hugging Blessing Ankrah\" class=\"wp-image-19035\" style=\"width:348px;height:261px\" width=\"348\" height=\"261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/18-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/18-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/18-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/18-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/18-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 348px) 100vw, 348px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer with Ankrah for their daily \u201cpre-work selfie.\u201d <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe would get up at 4:30 a.m. and ride in a packed van for about three hours,\u201d Kramer said. \u201cWhen we arrived to the communities, many times we would have to walk a distance with all of our gear. Some of these communities were only a few households and are located so far from public roads, and that&#8217;s why these diseases are considered neglected. It took us two hours to walk to one of the communities on foot and there was no way to get there with a car. Since there are so few people living in these remote places, there&#8217;s no way the government would fund roads to these communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After traveling back to the UENR campus from the field, the researchers stored their samples in freezers before resting for a few hours and then returning to the lab around 7 p.m. in the evening when they analyzed up to hundreds of samples. The immediacy was imperative despite their long days because the urine and stool samples would go bad within 24 to 48 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/17-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer with Kenneth Bentum Otabil\" class=\"wp-image-19034\" style=\"width:351px;height:468px\" width=\"351\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/17-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/17-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/17-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/17-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/17.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer standing with her head researcher, Dr. Kenneth Bentum Otabil.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/15-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer and the vice chancellor of UENR\" class=\"wp-image-19032\" style=\"width:349px;height:465px\" width=\"349\" height=\"465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/15-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/15-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/15-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/15-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/15.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 349px) 100vw, 349px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rachel Kramer exchanging a gift with the vice chancellor of UENR after introducing NeTroDis\u2019s summer research project to him. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/6.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer surrounded by children\" class=\"wp-image-19023\" style=\"width:275px;height:366px\" width=\"275\" height=\"366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/6.jpg 295w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/6-113x150.jpg 113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer with children at local market.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After the field work, Kramer\u2019s biggest roles were inputting data, helping with the preparation of samples, and microscopic analysis of the specimens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnce we got our data from all eight communities, we compiled all of it and I worked with a data analyst at the university who helped me compile it to get our overall prevalence rates and associate the risk factors to the positive cases,\u201d Kramer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This work became the basis for her SIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-10 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/24-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Short woman pats Kramer on her head\" class=\"wp-image-19041\" style=\"width:328px;height:437px\" width=\"328\" height=\"437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/24-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/24-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/24-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/24-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/24.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 328px) 100vw, 328px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cThis was the first time I met someone in Ghana who was older than me yet shorter and we had so much fun dancing together when I visited this community,\u201d Kramer said.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/23-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Ghanian woman wearing colorful clothes provides a blood sample\" class=\"wp-image-19040\" style=\"width:344px;height:459px\" width=\"344\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/23-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/23-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/23-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/23-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/23.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 344px) 100vw, 344px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A research participant dressed in beautiful Ghanaian clothing gives her blood sample for research. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/11-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel Kramer hugging Blessing Ankrah\" class=\"wp-image-19028\" style=\"width:357px;height:476px\" width=\"357\" height=\"476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/11-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/11-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/11-113x150.jpg 113w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/11-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/files\/2023\/02\/11.jpg 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kramer with Ankrah for their daily \u201cpre-work selfie.&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Now that my written SIP has been submitted, all that\u2019s left to do is present my SIP at the annual Chemistry and Biochemistry SIP Symposium during the spring trimester and then wait to find out whether I attain honors from the faculty for my work,\u201d Kramer said. \u201cSo many people questioned why I decided to do something so big for my SIP since I have already been accepted to medical school. But just because I have been accepted doesn\u2019t mean I need to take a step back, so I decided to pursue a passion instead. I did this because I have seen these diseases firsthand and how disproportionately they affect people of low socio-economic status in tropical regions. I was emotionally driven to take part in the global movement to end the neglect. Additionally, I knew that this opportunity would enhance my cultural competence which can help me be a better physician to people in the future. Eventually, I&#8217;d like to be a study clinician in similar studies and even create the policies that can protect and serve people. With this foundational-level research under my belt, I am motivated to continue my research focus on NTD\u2019s in medical school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And this might not be the last of her research outside of medical school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI&#8217;m still in contact with my host mom,\u201d Kramer said. \u201cI have a number of people in Ghana I text every week just to talk about various things like the projects they\u2019re working on. Currently, they have two new projects that are going to be funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation regarding an NTD called Onchocerciasis, which is transmitted through biting black flies. I asked Blessing if it is possible for me to work remotely while I&#8217;m in medical school on those projects, and she said I probably could, but it is also possible that I could go back to Ghana during this upcoming summer to join their new projects in projects in person. Overall, I loved being abroad and how it opened up my eyes to the world and cross-cultural differences. Being a future physician, I was introduced to the atrocities of Neglected Tropical Diseases and I saw just how invaluable being a part of the team that is working to end the neglect really is.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kalamazoo College student Rachel Kramer \u201923 spent last summer researching Neglected Tropical Diseases in Ghana for her Senior Integrated Project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":147,"featured_media":19020,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,231],"tags":[53,168,157,37,161],"post_formats":[],"class_list":["post-19016","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-students","tag-biochemistry","tag-health","tag-public-health","tag-research","tag-senior-integrated-project"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\r\n<title>Future Physician Targets Tropical Diseases in Ghana - 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