Ethel Walker School
May 31, 2019
On Friday, May 31, Honors Biochemistry students were visited by Dr. Stephanie M. Coomes, a health scientist administrator at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Stephanie spoke to students about her role at the NIAID, antimicrobial resistance research and careers in bioscience.
Stephanie’s visit was part of the prize package awarded to Walker’s for winning the top high school prize for the 3rd Annual Small World Initiative (SWI) Do Something About Antibiotics Challenge™, which challenges students to raise awareness about superbugs and the growing global antibiotic resistance crisis. Hannah Iwaszkiewicz ’20, Brigid King ’20 and Lydia Rifkind ’19 won the international competition for their creative stop motion video, “Antibiotic Resistance with Monty the Monster,” which educates the viewer on the proper use of antibiotics.
Walker’s also received a special video shoutout from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of NAIAD, who applauded the group for their creativity: “You shared an important message with your peers in an imaginative way, and I am encouraged to see talented young women like you engaged in solving this important public health issue,” Dr. Fauci said. Watch video below:
