Danielle Amundsen

Danielle is a second-year medical student at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. Prior to medical school, she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with minors in Public Health and Spanish Studies. Studying abroad with a program focused on healthcare systems in Santiago, Chile, sparked Danielle's interest in global health. During her undergraduate career, she volunteered as a tutor at a high school for recent immigrants and refugees and worked with a public health initiative to prevent childhood obesity in Latinx communities. In her free time, Danielle enjoys backpacking, running and cooking.   Evaluation of hypoxia and increased work of breathing as specific criteria for diagnosing radiographic pneumonia in young children in India: A sub-study of the Indian Network for Streptococcus pneumoniae and PVC Impact Research (INSPIRE) 7/01/2019 - 8/05/2019 India

What does the Kean Fellowship mean to you?
I am incredibly honored to be chosen as a Kean Fellow. The Kean Fellowship provides me with an introduction to infectious disease research and tropical medicine. The support of the Kean Fellowship allows me to conduct research and learn directly from researchers and healthcare providers in Delhi, India. I am also excited for the opportunity to seek mentors in tropical medicine and to connect with my future colleagues. 

What do you anticipate learning?
This project is my first experience conducting research abroad and one of my first experiences in clinical research. I am looking forward to not only learning skills needed to conduct quality research but also to gaining a deeper understanding of how culture and society influences research. Throughout the course of my project and my time in Delhi, I hope to increase my cultural awareness. Additionally, I hope to learn about healthcare systems in India and the impact of the introduction of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine.

What interests you about tropical medicine and what problems are you interested in solving?
I believe that tropical medicine offers a unique intersection of medicine, research and culture. During my time in Chile, I had the opportunity to learn about how culture and the environment, such as rural and urban settings, can greatly impact health and healthcare delivery. In the long term, I am interested in projects focused on capacity building and research that guides policy related to tropical medicine and global health. I hope to use my clinical and research career to advocate for social justice.