Alexander W.

Dr. Edlefsen and Dr. Rossenkhan visited our cohort to talk about their work and their backgrounds. They both work in the Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS Research and Prevention (SCHARP) at Fred Hutch. This means their work is dedicated to finding ways to help prevent the spread of HIV. Specifically, the work they showed us was their team’s role in antibody treatment. Specifically, they worked on how often the injections must take place in order to maintain the necessary antibody levels in a patient’s body.

            This work interested me for a variety of reasons. For one, I have enjoyed learning about immunology for a long time, and this work and the whole problem they are attempting to tackle really appeals to that interest. Secondly, both Dr. Edlefsen and Dr. Rossenkhan are/have been very passionate about the HIV/AIDS crisis for a long time. Dr. Edlefsen saw the problem and the effect it was having for the first time on his trip to Ghana when he was young. This dedication, this passion for a massive problem and the want to work on it is something that is very important to me. I have flip flopped back and forth on what I want to study and work on when I am older, but I know I want to work on a problem that affects many lives around the world.

            My lab partner, Sam, and I, with our successful DNA extraction

            Working in the lab over the course of the two weeks of this program has helped me answer a question we were asked on the first day: “How can collaboration allow us to achieve results?” I had the pleasure of working with many different people in the lab, and I realized that without the collaboration, I would have performed much worse. This would probably be due to my knack for missing steps, but thankfully, someone was always there to keep me on my toes. This was a main talking point of Dr. Edlefsen and Dr. Rossenkhan’s presentation, how their collaboration is so unique and how that allows them to create solutions.

            The 2025 Pathways Research Explorers Session 2 Cohort

            Overall, I had such an amazing time during these two weeks. Meeting fun and inviting new friends, playing fun games, and learning so much from amazing professionals. I am so grateful to everyone who made this program possible, especially Dr. G, Layan, Lac, Huda, and the TAs, Alex and Shayan. I am so happy that I got to meet all these amazing people and had the chance to grow and make all the connections I have. Thank you!