Yale Bulletin and Calendar

June 21-July 19, 1999

Volume 27, Number 34

Downs Fellows to study health issue
around the world during the summer

Yale medical and public health students will spend their summer learning first-hand about health issues around the world -- from unexplained deaths in Brazil to elbow fractures in Haiti, child malnutrition in Madagascar and the pernicious effect of viruses in several corners of the globe -- as this year's Downs International Health Student Travel Fellows.

Presented each year by the School of Medicine's Committee on International Health, the fellowships were established in 1966 as a tribute to Dr. Wilbur G. Downs, a physician and expert on tropical and infectious diseases, who believed that students should "learn by doing." The grants support students who undertake research on medical and public health problems in developing countries. As part of the fellowship experience, the students experience the unique cultural characteristics of the country in which they live and work.

The 1999 Downs Fellows and the projects they will undertake follow.

Shilpa Sayana, M.P.H. 2000 -- Egypt, "The Cultural Perspective on Menses and How It Affects Contraceptive Use";

Laura Krech, M.P.H. 2000 -- Mexico, "Women's Health Status: Mexico City Assessment";

Douglas Newton, M.P.H. 2000 -- Russia, "Tobacco Smoke and Prevelance of Tuberculosis in HIV Adults";

Marc Davis, M.D./M.P.H. 2004 -- "Surveillance for Unexplained Deaths in Brazil."

Erik Hett, M.P.H. 2000 -- Kenya, "Effect of Wolbachia Infection on Age in Tsetse";

Hilary Rosen, M.P.H. 2000 -- "The Risk for Hantavirus Infection in Thailand"; Jacob Creswell, M.P.H. 2000 -- "HIV/AIDS Intervention: The Impact on Mexican Physicians";

Margaret Bourdeaux, M.D. 2003 -- "The Impact of a Sanitary Excreta Disposal System on Child Malnutrition in Madagascar";

Mary-Ann Etiebet, M.D. 2003 -- South Africa, "Acceptability of Interventions To Reduce Vertical HIV Transmission";

Pamela Matson, M.P.H. 2000 -- Russia, "Prevalence of Co-Infection with HIV and HCV in St. Petersburg";

Vivek Murthy, M.D. 2002 -- "Iron Deficiency Anemia Among Adolescents in Rural South India";

Melissa Pelton, P.A. 2000 -- Haiti, "Primary Survey of Elbow Fractures." and

Alison Norris, M.D./Ph.D. 2005 -- Kenya, "The Effectiveness of Female Condom Intervention."

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Endowed Professorships
Literary critic Harold Bloom awarded Gold Medal . . .
Academy of Arts and Sciences taps three Yale faculty
Exhibit recalls art and poetry inspired by the Great War
Downtown program will add local flavor to International Festival . . .
Show by Peabody artists among Yale-related events during festival
Boredom with board games prompts Green to invent new one
Beinecke Library acquires papers of noted theater director
The University honors its long-serving staff members
Three Yale teachers are selected as Guggenheim Fellows
Schell Center for International Human Rights announces new appointments . . .
Traveling fellowships are awarded for students' research
Downs Fellows to study health issues around the world during the summer
Students make cross-country trek on behalf of charity
Summer Cabaret marks 25th year of 'ambitious theater'
Tours of historic Grove Street Cemetery are being offered
How to order extra copies of the Yale Bulletin & Calendar
Campus Notes