Three questions with a global health student
Every year, as part of the Master of Science in Global Health program’s capstone project, an intense two-week international symposium, MSc Global Health students present their research and gather invaluable feedback on their research from peers and experts. The symposium typically takes place in India, bringing together students and faculty from partner institutions that form the program’s higher education consortium. This year, the symposium is online.
Also this year, students have linked their scholarly research to one or more of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting McMaster University’s ongoing commitment to the 2030 Agenda.
MSc Global Health student Meryl Mackinson shares with us her research focus to date, why she chose McMaster for global health, and what she plans to do when she graduates.
What is the topic of your research, and why did you choose it?
The topic of my research is antimicrobial resistance globally, and how it relates to water. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi become resistant to antimicrobial drugs. Antimicrobial resistance threatens effective treatment of infections, complicates the treatment of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and gonorrhea, and compromises surgical procedures and chemotherapy. My research paper, “Antimicrobial resistance and water risks: a global review” reviews the current science and interventions around antimicrobial resistance with relation to water; water treatment, water-borne diseases, and water contamination. It specifically links water and human risk of antimicrobial resistance. I decided on this topic of research in consultation with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) as it is something they are currently researching.
Why did you choose the MSc Global Health program?
The most impactful experience I’ve had in my life was volunteering in Tanzania for two months. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in Biochemical Engineering and working as a water treatment engineer for four years, I knew I wanted to get back to international work. The MSc Global Health was the perfect bridge connecting my experience as a water treatment engineer to my ultimate goal of working for a non-governmental organization (NGO) that does international work in the water, adequate sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector.
Describe one thing you’ve learned from the MSc Global Health program and the Global Health Symposium and how you will apply that learning in your future career?
Throughout my participation in the MSc Global Health program and Global Health Symposium I have learned to use about five different online meeting and collaboration platforms that I never would have learned if not for this program, the symposium and the current COVID-19 situation. This knowledge and experience will be very applicable to my future international work.
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