Interdisciplinary Engagement

Genetic Engineering and Society

North Carolina State University

Much of my graduate career has been devoted to studying vector-borne disease and emerging vector control technologies from a uniquely interdisciplinary prospective. In 2012, I was selected to be a member of the first cohort of NSF-IGERT dissertation fellows in a new interdisciplinary program at NC State titled Genetic Engineering and Society (GES).

My dissertation cohort comprises five doctoral students from the fields of economics, entomology, biomathematics, and communication. Our research has focused on the potential use of genetically modified mosquitoes to combat dengue fever and has spanned our home fields as well as the fields of epidemiology, history, ethics, regulation, and public policy. The culmination of this collaboration was the co-authorship of the introductory chapter of the forthcoming text, Genetic Control of Malaria and Dengue, edited by Zach Adelman.

Through coursework, meetings, and colloquia, I have developed a working knowledge of the basic methods, ideologies, and vocabulary of all of the GES program fields. I understand the independent research of my cohort members on a fundamental level and together we have fostered an environment of mutual respect. My exposure to the physical sciences as well as the humanities has expanded my standards of quality research and it is my goal to continually incorporate the skills acquired in this program into my research methods.

Cultural Anthropology

North Carolina State University

Independent of the GES program, I have also completed master’s level coursework in cultural anthropology on qualitative research methods and cross-cultural perspectives on women. I became engaged in this program to increase my cultural awareness regarding the issues that women face in developing countries. I believe that effective development work is not possible without a solid cultural understanding of the communities that you are trying to reach. I have therefore worked to combine quantitative and qualitative methods in my research through interdisciplinary cooperation.