26. Student Lightbulb Moments: Parasites, NTD's, and Poverty
MotoMeds
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In a recent podcast episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Eric Wetzel, a professor of biology at Wabash College and a dedicated parasitologist. Through his rich experience and unique teaching approach, Dr. Wetzel has provided us with invaluable insights into the intersections of poverty, colonialism, and healthcare access, particularly in the context of neglected tropical diseases.
Dr. Wetzel's journey, which spans from the picturesque landscape of Pennsylvania to the Amazonian rainforest of Peru, has given him a unique perspective on the complexities of global health. His work in invertebrate zoology and immersive student trips have exposed the harsh realities of healthcare access, or the lack thereof, in remote communities.
Dr. Wetzel's research on parasites provides an intriguing lens through which we can examine global health issues. Parasites play a significant role in the overall health of communities, particularly in impoverished regions. The concept of 'neglected tropical diseases', coined by Dr. Peter Hotez, highlights diseases caused by parasites that predominantly affect those living in poverty.
As part of his teaching approach, Dr. Wetzel strives to spark 'light bulb' moments that challenge and reshape students' understanding of global health. Through experiential learning opportunities, such as field trips to remote areas, students gain firsthand experience of the challenges faced by communities with limited access to healthcare. These immersive experiences allow students to build empathy and broaden their perspectives on health and poverty.
Dr. Wetzel also leads the Wabash Global Health Initiative, which aims to impact students and people in underserved communities worldwide. The initiative emphasizes the importance of sustainable partnerships with local and international entities and provides students with opportunities to engage in global public health.
The podcast episode further delves into the realities of healthcare access in a Lima slum community. The challenges faced by these communities are significant, but they also provide opportunities for mutual learning. The insights gained from these experiences challenge students' assumptions about global health and encourage them to think critically about their roles in addressing these issues.
In conclusion, Dr. Eric Wetzel's work and perspective offer valuable insights into the intersections of poverty, colonialism, and healthcare access. By exploring these complex issues, we can better understand global health and the crucial role of parasitology. The conversation also underscores the importance of experiential learning in shaping our perspectives on health and poverty, ultimately encouraging us to engage more deeply in these pressing global issues.
Who is Dr. Eric Wetzel?
Eric Wetzel is a Professor of Biology at Wabash, and the Director of the Wabash Global Health Initiative. Dr. Wetzel was an undergraduate at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, where he grew up. He then went to North Carolina where he did his M.S. and Ph.D work at Wake Forest University. After teaching at WFU for 1.5 years, he joined the Wabash faculty in 1996. His teaching and research are centered on the field of invertebrate zoology (animals without backbones) with particular interests in ‘wormy’ kinds of parasites (helminths). More specifically, his research examines the ecology of parasites of wild host animals such as fish, frogs, mollusks and crayfish. It’s no surprise, then, that Dr. Wetzel’s work involves both field and laboratory work. He has led course-related immersion trips to the Gulf Coast, to the coral reefs of Jamaica and Belize, and to the Amazonian rainforest of Peru. Dr. Wetzel is the Director of the Wabash Global Health Initiative, which works through education, investigation, and service to impact students and people in underserved communities. International work of the WGHI currently focuses on collaborations in the South American country of Peru, with work in rainforest, Andean and coastal regions.
Dr. Wetzel enjoys interacting with students both inside and outside the classroom / lab. Married and the dad of 5 kids, he enjoys spending time with family, playing & watching a variety of sports, reading, hiking and fishing, and involvement in the life of their church.