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K-State Today

September 21, 2012

Students, faculty can meet with national leaders during lunch with American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

For students pursuing careers in animal and human health, global health, biology or entomology, an upcoming event offers an opportunity to explore their interests.

Members of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene will visit Kansas State University on Friday, Sept. 28. Society leaders will meet with students from noon to 1:30 p.m. in  Town Hall at the Leadership Studies Building to learn how the society can better meet student career needs and to discuss how to bring One Health initiatives into the society.

Free pizza, Call Hall ice cream and soda will be provided for students, faculty and guests. Society members will provide brief presentations, which will be followed an informal conversation with students and faculty.

"This is a very special opportunity for us," said Stephen Higgs, research director of the Biosecurity Research Institute and a councilor for the society. "As an elected official of the society, I know that the leadership is committed to helping students follow their passion in global health. I am very proud that the society has chosen Kansas State University as the first university to help it better understand the needs of global-minded students."

The society is the worldwide organization of scientists, clinicians and program professionals whose mission is to promote global health through the prevention and control of infectious and other diseases that disproportionately affect the global poor. 

Higgs will be one of the society leaders meeting with students. Other leaders who will meet include:

• James Kazura, president of the society; director of the Center for Global Health and Diseases; director of International Affairs in Health Sciences; and professor of international health, medicine and pathology at Case Western Reserve University.

• Karen Goraleski, executive director of the society.

• Kristin Michel, assistant professor of biology at Kansas State University.

The lunch session with students is part of the society's outreach to the university. Throughout the day, society members will meet with Kansas State University leaders, professors and researchers to discuss areas of common interest and potential opportunities for collaboration where tropical medicine and global health intersect with veterinary medicine, agriculture, biology and entomology.

"I can't think of a better place than Kansas State University to have these conversations," Higgs said.