Abstract

Dr Jennifer Downs studied medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, where she is now a faculty member, and completed her PhD in Parasitology at Leiden University. Her past ten years have been spent working in Tanzania, where her research focuses on the relationship between schistosomiasis, mucosal immunity and HIV susceptibility in girls and women. Jen Downs obtained a Tanzanian medical license and is currently working in the Bugando Medical Centre. Jen is passionate about working on women’s issues such as improving girls’ and women’s access to healthcare in rural Tanzania, increasing family planning uptake and decreasing sexual harassment of female doctors in Tanzania. She has actively encouraged women to pursue careers in global health by training and mentoring students worldwide. This is an incredible opportunity to hear about Jen’s work in why schistosomiasis increases susceptibility to HIV and how to prevent HIV -spread in rural population. This will also be a chance to hear Jen Downs talk about her own experiences as a woman working in STEM and gain an insight into how she managed to juggle her work abroad and raising a family. Come along to St John’s at 6pm on Monday and enjoy this amazing talk alongside nibbles and wine. This talk is open to everyone!

Access Info: This event is in the Castlereagh Room in the Fisher Building at the back of St John’s College. The room has step-free access via a lift. There is basic seating. There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, but no gender neutral bathrooms available. This is a relaxed event; you may move around the room, and arrive or leave whenever you wish. There will not be a hearing loop or BSL interpreter. For any other accessibility info, please get in touch!