Scientist Spotlight, COVID and Zoonotic Diseases
- Due Mar 20, 2022 by 11:30pm
- Points 12
- Submitting a text entry box, a website url, or a file upload
- Available Feb 16, 2022 at 12am - Apr 10, 2022 at 11:59pm
Choose 1 of the following professional Scientists to research. Directions for completing the assignment and a grading rubric can be found in the Scientist Spotlight Overview. Review the instructions and grading rubric before submitting your spotlight.
These scientists all focus on topics relevant to our third unit, COVID-19 and other zoonotic diseases.
Choice 1: Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
Dr. Corbett leads a research group working to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. Read or watch any of the resources linked that you like. You do not need to use all of them - choose what interests you most.
- St Lewis American article where Dr. Corbett gives students advice on how to succeed
- an NBC news article about Dr. Corbett, her career, and her as a person.
- a NYT article about the work on the vaccine
- Dr. Corbett's twitter profile
- the interview with Dr. Corbett on CNN you watched last week
Choice 2. Dr. Fabian Leendertz
Dr. Leendertz examines the distribution and circulation of many microorganisms, including some with zoonotic potential, in wild nonhuman primate communities in sub-Saharan Africa. He is interested in researching wildlife species, especially those which have adapted to human settlements (bats and rodents) as well as livestock as intermediate hosts of zoonotic diseases.
- Dr. Leendertz lab page Links to an external site.. Lots of great links and information here.
- This wildlife vet tracks deadly microbes in the African jungle. Now, he’s on the trail of COVID-19 Links to an external site.
- WHO expert Leendertz speaks about the origin of COVID Links to an external site.
- Podcast episode featuring Dr. Leendertz Links to an external site.
Choice 3. Dr. Katalin Kariko
Dr. Karikó is a Hungarian biochemist who has spent most of her career researching the therapeutic possibilities of mRNA and was foundational for the development of mRNA vaccines.
- She was demoted, doubted and rejected. Now, her work is the basis of the Covid-19 vaccine Links to an external site.
- The story of mRNA: How a once-dismissed idea became a leading technology in the Covid vaccine race Links to an external site.
- How Our Brutal Science System Almost Cost Us A Pioneer Of mRNA Vaccines Links to an external site.
- Dr. Karikó's Twitter Links to an external site.
Choice 4. Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe
Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe is a Congolese microbiologist and the General Director of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Institut National pour la Recherche Biomedicale. He has been instrumental in studying Ebola and developing containment and treatment strategies.
- Interview: Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum: a life’s work on Ebola Links to an external site.
- Thank this Ebola-fighting African doctor for monoclonal antibody treatments Links to an external site.
- This Congolese Doctor Discovered Ebola But Never Got Credit For It — Until Now Links to an external site.
- Video profile of underrepresented in STEM: Ep 1 Dedicated to fighting Ebola: Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum Links to an external site.
- TIME 100 Most Influential People Links to an external site.
Choice 4. Dr. Flossie Wong-Staal.
Dr. Flossie Wong-Staal was a virologist, which means she studies viruses. She specifically studies HIV, and was the first scientist to clone HIV. She died this July, 2020. During her career she received many accolades and awards for her vital research, and is in multiple Science "halls of fame." Read or watch any of the resources linked that you like. You do not need to use all of them - choose what interests you most.
- To read about her life, background, and her career path: Biography of Flossie Wong-Staal
- To read an obituary written by the NIH: In Memoriam Flossie Wong-Staal, Ph.D.
Choice 5. Michael Bale.
Michael Bale is a post-Baccalaureate researcher, which means he has finished is Bachelor's (college) degree, and is being paid to do research professionally. Michael studies HIV-host interactions.
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