CRGGH Welcomes New and Returning Trainees!

In furthering our commitment to trainees (see #5--http://crggh.nih.gov/mission.cfm), we welcome Fasil Tekola (photo on the right), a returning pre-doctoral student (Mr. Tekola is a trainee at the CRGGH in six-month intervals) and Keolu Fox (photo on the left), a summer intern. Mr. Tekola comes to us from Ethiopia by way of the UK and Mr. Fox comes to us from the University of Maryland. We're excited to have these two promising young scientists and we look forward to a productive summer and beyond. Check out their bios below to get to know them a little better.

Fasil Tekola, B.S., M.P.H.

Fasil Tekola is a research fellow in the Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health (CRGGH) in the National Human Genome Research Institute. His research mainly focuses on a research project that aims to understand the gene(s) that impose susceptibility to podoconiosis (non-filarial elephantiasis) among Ethiopians exposed to alkali soil; and to develop and implement a practical model for undertaking informed consent for biomedical and genetic research in a low-income setting. The project is a multi-institutional collaboration involving the CRGGH (USA) where he goes through a series of theoretical and hands-on-trainings in genetics, genetic-epidemiology, statistics and bioethics; the University of Sussex (UK) where his PhD degree granting institution; and the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (Ethiopia) where he is based. His affiliation with the CRGGH has produced two co-authored articles related to the process of informed consent on genetic study of podoconiosis.

Mr Tekola has a public health background in his undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.P.H.) trainings. He had worked as clinician and community health coordinator in a health center; and as research assistant and lecturer in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia before beginning his PhD.

Keolu Fox, B.S.

Keolu Fox is a Summer Research Intern at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), National Institutes of Health (NIH). His research interests include understanding the complex interactions between global health, environmental pressures, cultural/behavioral effects, and human genetic variation. Mr. Fox brings a fresh perspective with his training in biological anthropology, which will contribute to the multidisciplinary approach of the CRGGH. His current project at the CRGGH includes investigating genetic variants in a pharmacogenomic context. Mr. Fox intends to enter into a PhD program next fall (2010) in Applied Medical Anthropology with a specialization in the interface of Medical Anthropology and Proteomics.

Mr. Fox is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland College Park. He graduated with departmental high honors and received a “high Pass” on his honors thesis project, “The interface of Anthropology and Proteomics.” After working at BioTraces, Inc., a private R&D in Herndon, Va., Mr. Fox received a R&D scholarship from both the University of Maryland and the National Science Foundation. As a Native Hawaiian, Mr. Fox’s future research interests include integrating a global health and genomics perspective in connection with underrepresented Polynesian communities and the health and disease states specific to those populations.

He also hopes to contribute to the Center by providing all of the PhD’s with fresh cups of coffee!