Third-year medical student Larissa Dixon from the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) College of Medicine has been awarded a highly sought-after fellowship from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). This fellowship, offered through the Fogarty International Center, will allow her to conduct research in Peru focused on tackling antibiotic resistance.
Dixon’s interest in global health was sparked during a three-week clinical experience at the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima, Peru, last year. Inspired by her time there, she set out to explore research opportunities that would enable her to return. “I wanted to know how I can come back and do more research,” she stated. “I learned about and pursued the Fogarty program,” she added.
Researching Antibiotic Prescriptions in Peru
Her project will focus on the distribution and usage of preventative antibiotics in Peruvian clinics, specifically examining doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP). This newer antibiotic is being used to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Dixon plans to conduct surveys with healthcare providers and patients to determine the best practices for implementing DoxyPEP safely and effectively.
Dixon aims to contribute to global efforts to mitigate antibiotic resistance, a growing concern as bacteria adapt to overcome medical treatments. “As places start to adopt guidelines, I hope my research can better inform how and when these measures should be used,” she said. In Peru, patients often receive antibiotics without a prescription, which differs from regulations in the United States. By studying both countries, Dixon hopes to provide valuable insights into the management of antibiotic usage.
“Antimicrobial resistance is such an important topic because once our antibiotics stop working, it could take us back to an era where minor infections could be life-threatening,” she explained. Dixon emphasizes the necessity for countries to collaborate in monitoring antibiotic use and establishing evidence-based guidelines.
UCF’s Growing Global Health Profile
Elena Cyrus, an associate professor of population health sciences at UCF, leads the global health study abroad program that enabled Dixon’s fellowship opportunity. Cyrus noted that Dixon’s research addresses a critical global health need, with implications both internationally and within the U.S. “There are ongoing discussions to develop new antibiotics and diagnostics,” Cyrus stated. “Larissa’s project will allow this to be explored comprehensively.”
Dixon’s achievement is notable, especially considering the competitive nature of the fellowship and UCF’s current absence from a NIH-supported global health consortium. To be eligible for the Fogarty International Center Fellowship, candidates must be sponsored by faculty from such consortia. Dixon actively sought out mentors and sponsors across multiple institutions, demonstrating her commitment and perseverance.
She is being mentored by Jenell Stewart at the University of Minnesota, along with advisors in Peru, including Javier Lama and Alexander Lankowski from IMPACTA.
Cyrus commended Dixon for her determination. “I’m very excited for Larissa. She’s a prime example of how the College of Medicine global health program has exceeded expectations,” she remarked. “Securing the Fogarty fellowship in such a short time is phenomenal.”
Through the visibility gained from her fellowship, Cyrus hopes that UCF’s global health presence will improve, potentially leading to the university’s inclusion in an NIH consortium. This distinction could enhance UCF’s medical research initiatives and provide students with direct mentorship opportunities.
“We strive to make UCF’s College of Medicine a flagship institution,” Cyrus said, “and this achievement builds a foundation for groundbreaking research.”
Dixon, who also received a Fogarty Fellowship in 2012, believes that this experience will significantly enhance her leadership skills in global health. “It introduces you to an elite network of scientists from all over the world,” Cyrus explained. “Larissa will gain exposure that will enrich her training at UCF.”
Ultimately, Dixon aspires to become an infectious disease physician specializing in HIV and STI research, combining her clinical work with global health research. “With medicine, you learn how to impact someone’s life on an individual level,” she said. “The Fogarty fellowship opens up so many global connections for me.”
The Fogarty International Center is dedicated to supporting global health research and building partnerships between health research institutions in the U.S. and abroad, training the next generation of scientists to meet global health needs.