The CDC recently introduced the "Our Global Voices" blog, which encourages visitors to interact with CDC's global health leaders and staff who are working to improve health and save lives around the world. The blog features conversations on several important global health topics, such as immunization, vaccines and more. Visit "Our Global Voices."

As an 18-year member of the Society, what keeps you coming back?

ASTMH is an important professional society. It is the best place to come for education, professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration in the complex and diverse areas of tropical medicine.

In the Navy, you have a built-in network of scientific colleagues. How does membership in ASTMH complement this network?

Navy Medicine Research is fortunate to have outstanding clinicians and researchers, but we also know that there are leaders in tropical medicine and young scientists with novel ideas outside our system. ASTMH provides us this rich and available community of colleagues and collaborators from academia, NGOs and other government organizations--relationships that add so much to our collective success  that we schedule Navy Medicine Research meetings with the Annual Meeting to include our collaborators.

The Navy's R&D efforts are located around the world. How does ASTMH fit in?

We currently have three laboratories--NAMRU-2, -3 and -6--all developed in partnership with host nations. We are conducting collaborative projects in dozens of countries throughout the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Americas. We are particularly pleased that we are able to provide opportunities for young researchers from the U.S. and countries where we work to further their careers. ASTMH has been a key partner in these efforts. We routinely point to the Annual Meeting as the keystone for our staff and collaborators to highlight their work, meet collaborators and establish professional connections. ASTMH connections have also led to other educational/career opportunities for our staff.

While you were at Naval Medical Research Unit-6 in Lima, Peru, the Society joined with NAMRU-6 to showcase research presented at the ASTMH Annual Meeting. Why did this work?

There is a very strong research community in Peru that regularly presents an array of high quality research results and posters at the Annual Meetings, however, many involved in those projects--and many more who can learn from the research presented--were unable to travel to the meeting. So we approached the Society in 2010 with the idea of presenting the Peru studies--in Spanish--at a local meeting. The Society leadership and the local research community embraced this suggestion, and Dr. Alan Magill, representing the Society, opened the "ASTMH in Peru" conference in 2011. This interchange afforded time for direct conversations with investigators and students, and a number of recommendations were offered for continued work. The “pride of ownership” was evident and inspiring for all. There is significant enthusiasm for a third annual Peru meeting.

Many don't know that ASTMH has a strong clinical constituency. How have you married research and clinical into your career?

Ongoing research is critical to the practice of medicine. The Navy has given me an opportunity to participate in clinical research studies in Thailand, Egypt and Peru, enabling me to work with fantastic local physicians from whom I continue to learn about patient care. Thanks to the Navy’s commitment to teaching tropical medicine, I've been in the role of student and instructor in several classes and in the Gorgas Course. I have practiced at great hospitals, such as Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where I have cared for people planning to travel abroad or returning from trips with interesting mementos such as fevers and rashes.

Campuses are overflowing with young people looking to global health as a career. What is your advice to them and how can ASTMH help them build their career?

When I was in those same shoes as young people today, I was encouraged to join ASTMH by Dr. Barney Cline, a past president. He told me that membership would help me meet colleagues and find opportunities for work. He was correct then, and his advice is true today. With so many opportunities--programs, clinical care and research--teasing out the options can be daunting. This is where ASTMH serves a key role by bringing people from multiple disciplines with a shared interest in global health/tropical medicine together and promoting continued growth in the field.

On April 25, ASTMH, in partnership with Malaria No More, PATH and several other malaria and other R&D organizations commemorated World Malaria Day on Capitol Hill with a two-part event titled, "U.S. Advancements in Science and Technology in Malaria: A Showcase of Domestic Research & Development to Save Lives and Keep Americans Safe." It was highly U.S.-focused because the audience was Congress and staffers. ASTMH was well-represented in the room, along with a very impressive showing by members of Congress: one former and five current members, plus USAID Administrator Raj Shah. This was an opportunity for ASTMH to be seen as a research-focused society and as a voice for funding, training, program and practice. We have sent thank-you letters to all the members of Congress for their participation and continued support.

Honorary hosts included the co-chairs of the Senate Working Group on Malaria and Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases ad honorary hosts. In the first part of the event, 20 universities, private companies and research institutions highlighted cutting-edge scientific and technological advancements in malaria that could save millions of lives around the world, protect U.S. military service members and create jobs here in their own states.

Given the mood of Americans and of Congress, the event purposefully emphasized the economic impact of malaria research dollars across the country. About half of the presenters were ASTMH members, including Mary Galinski of Emory and Brian Grimberg of Case Western, both of whom were invited by ASTMH. Nice work by all, especially since many (if not most) talked about aspects of their research that is out of their comfort zone (for example, how many local jobs are created as a result of their NIH funding). Additional comments offered how an ambitious goal--such as ending malaria--could result in many other science and technological benefits through innovation and research. The audience also heard that the military recognizes malaria as a persisitent threat to U.S. forces and that WRAIR is workng with many of these academic institutions.

Participation by Members of Congress

One former member and five current members were there for nearly 90 minutes--a remarkable accomplishment and testimony to both the support for malaria on the Hill (not so 15 years ago) and the eagerness of members of Congress to have economic talking points to use with their constituents and colleagues in Congress. This latter part of the afternoon was a reception, moderated by former Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ). Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Republican co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, was very happy to point out the work by ASTMH member Jon Vennerstrom of the University of Nebraska. He specifically referenced the resources coming into his state as a result of Dr. Vennerstrom’s research. Fortenberry announced that Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) was the new co-chair of the Caucus, stepping in for the late Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), founder and former co-chair of the Caucus. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), co-chairs of the Senate Working Group on Malaria, and Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) spoke about the importance for malaria funding. Congressman McDermott highlighted the impressive malaria R&D efforts being carried out in his Washington State district by Seattle Biomed, founded by Council member Ken Stuart. Congressman McDermott happily referenced ASTMH member Malcolm Gardner’s work at Seattle BioMed: the economic impact, jobs created and global leadership role of Washington as a result of Seattle BioMed’s collective work.

USAID Administrator Raj Shah made time to attend and delivered remarks about the impressive scientific achievements and the development of new tools that can be used in the fight against malaria. He described how the President’s Malaria Initiative is delivering significant results in the fight against malaria with the help of past achievements in malaria R&D. WRAIR Deputy Commander Pete Weina--another ASTMH member--echoed the point made earlier about the critical role in these technologies that WRAIR and its partners have played. Wrapping it up, Patrick Kachur (CDC) and Lee Hall (NIH) described their agencies’ roles in malaria R&D.

Former ASTMH President Claire Panosian, MD, DTM&H, commemorates World Malaria Day with an article in the Los Angeles Daily News stating that without sustained commitment to combatting malaria, more drug-resistant strains of the disease will spread and counterfeit anti-malarials will continue to enter the market. The Daily News reaches more than 440,000 readers daily. Read the article.

by Karen A. Goraleski, ASTMH Executive Director

As we think about World Malaria Day on April 25, the Navy isn't top-of-mind, but it should be. While many, if not most, Americans don't give this much thought, U.S. military forces are at great risk of developing malaria while deployed in endemic areas. The U.S. Naval Medical Research Center in Maryland and its affiliated labs have a range of efforts that actively work to protect the health of our service-men and -women deployed around the world. Today, we honor them for their efforts in basic and applied research in infectious disease, in particular, malaria.

The Navy's Malaria Programs' activities range from discovery research to clinical trials of candidate vaccines carried out on the campus of the National Naval Medical Center. The primary objective of the Navy Malaria Program is to develop a vaccine that kills the parasite during the first few days of development, before it breaks into the blood. The program is also investigating vaccines that would limit the severity of symptoms associated with early stages. Both types of vaccines could alleviate much of the suffering caused by this parasite in tropical areas.

These efforts get an added and unique benefit from the NMRC's overseas laboratories. These overseas labs enable to study of the malaria parasite in its native habitat, and also help in global coordination of field-testing of novel vaccines and drugs with partners around the world.

The work of the NMRC is an investment in the safety of our military personnel. Gains from this program will also help those living in parts of the world where so many are sickened and die from this entirely treatable and preventable disease. Investing in malaria research is the smart thing to do for the U.S. and the right thing to do for the world.

On Friday, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced S. 429, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day, April 25. Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) signed on as original cosponsors. The resolution is meant to raise awareness about malaria and support continued leadership by the United States in bilateral, multilateral and private sector efforts to combat malaria as a critical part of the President's Global Health Initiative.

ASTMH Secretary-Treasurer David R. Hill, MD, DTM&H, FASTMH, Quinnipiac University, explained the challenge of containing communicable illnesses in a highly mobile society in WAMC Northeast Public Radio's Academic Minute. Listen to the audio clip (length: 2:29 min.) at WAMC's website.

Hill joined the faculty of Quinnipiac University's Frank H. Netter, MD, School of Medicine this year as professor of medical sciences. Hill is responsible for directing global public health education initiatives at the medical school and serves as director of the university's global public health program. Read more about Hill at Quinnipiac University's website.

The rancorous budget debates between the administration and Congress obscure the fact that our nation's leadership in science and innovation is tenuous at best if spending for research is cut drastically. The latest proposals in the House and Senate would put funding for medical research at risk, even though such research drives new businesses, new jobs and new treatments and cures for patients now and in the future. Stagnant funding for the National Institutes of Health has led to historic lows in the number of grants awarded to researchers, which will inevitably slow the pace of scientific discovery and development of new therapies and products. As health care costs continue to rise, we must be realistic about the tools we have at our disposal to bend the cost curve. Research to find cures for diseases like Alzheimer's is our best hope of preventing catastrophic growth in Medicare spending. Furthermore, the budgetary situation on Capitol Hill throws into doubt our elected leaders' commitment to global leadership in research and development, and if our leadership in that arena falters, so will our economic competitiveness overall.

Many Americans are concerned about our ability to maintain the nation's competitive edge. Research!America polling shows a majority of Americans (58%) are skeptical that the U.S. will be a world leader in science and technology by the year 2020. We urge lawmakers to keep in mind that some federal investments, like investments in medical research, will achieve goals they have set for our nation--a lower deficit, a thriving economy and a healthier population.

--The Honorable John Edward Porter
Chair, Research!America

ASTMH Member Spotlight: Jessica E. Taaffe, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, NIAID*
*The views expressed here are the Society member's personal opinions and do not reflect official government policies or opinions.

Why are you an ASTMH member?

ASTMH focuses on global health through basic and clinical research and is committed to the training of scientists in the field. ASTMH membership is unique among scientific societies and allows me to take part in global health and science advocacy.

How can the Society help members like you in the early stages of your career?

Helping us identify and connect with career mentors, especially those seeking nontraditional paths or scientific careers away from the bench. For those seeking to use their PhDs in a different way, we can really use some thoughtful and creative guidance from ASTMH leaders and members.

What challenges do you face as a young, female scientist?

My generation of female scientists has the opportunity to profoundly shape the future of academic science. While some women may not pursue this career path due to family commitments--and I understand those challenges--succeeding in academia can be compatible with having a family. Women in science are now well-positioned to negotiate and successfully pursue the academic careers that allow us to "have it all," just as our male colleagues have always had.

Social media is connecting us in new ways today. Is there still a place for in-person mentoring?

Yes! I am astounded the social media's potential to disseminate information and connect people in different parts of the world. But it definitely has not replaced person-to-person mentorship. Social media cannot equal the value and benefits of direct personal contact and developing real relationships with people in this field.

As someone early in her career and at a difficult time for research funding, what does the future hold for biomedical science?

Our discoveries lead to new vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tools, but these discoveries occur behind the scenes, making the scientis and the scientific process less visible and more vulnerable to funding cuts. To change this, WE need to change: Scientists can and should be public and global health advocates.

How can the public/global health community raise its profile at the highest finding and policy levels?

There is much more that can be done to ensure that our voice is being heard and that our research meets the health needs of so many in the world. Here are four things we can do: 1) Increase our communication with and exposure to the public/global health community; 2) Foster direct interaction with policymakers and international development groups; 3) Publicly advocate for continued funding and support of biomedical research; and 4) Become engaged in public/global health initiatives within our own professional and local communities.

The Huffington Post features an informative and enlightening article by ASTMH Past President Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, titled, "The 8-Cent Solution to Improving Women's Health in Africa."

Read the article here.

Hotez is president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and director of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.