I am interested in Chagas disease which is a neglected tropical disease. In order to study it, I took an opportunity to go to Bolivia and Nicaragua where it is prevalent. In Bolivia, I observed the hospital care, collected record information, and extracted DNA from blood samples. In Nicaragua, I accompanied officials on individual house investigations where we checked the infestation rate of the kissing bug, a vector for Chagas disease.
I could observe first-hand the field work and it was a great experience for me. After returning from abroad, I shared my experience with the other MTM, MPh, and MSc students who also found it interesting.
As for lectures, through collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and many other prominent professors, the lessons are high quality. I hope to continue my studies in the PhD course through the Institute of Tropical Medicine at Nagasaki University, but other MTM students are planning to apply to international institutions or go back into working in a clinical capacity. The future plans of the students are very diverse.
I recommend the MTM course to anyone who is interested in these fields.
