University of Houston pre-med student Taylor Jones is one of several members of the school’s HEALTH-RCMI Student Cadre who are making major strides in local and international grassroots health initiatives.
For Jones, the decision to join the Student Cadre was motivated by a deep-seated passion for community engagement and establishing meaningful connections with local leaders. Jones has seamlessly translated her commitment to community service into impactful initiatives, including a transformative internship in Tanzania working on a clean water project because of the tools UH provided her to improve the health outcomes of the communities in need.
The Student Cadre, a relatively new initiative at UH, proved to be a transformative experience for Taylor. The program, designed to cultivate well-rounded individuals in the healthcare field, encourages students to engage with their communities. Taylor’s involvement in outreach events, including working at food banks and partnering with community leaders, showcased her commitment to addressing real-world issues.
“The Student Cadre has made me more well-rounded. This experience is so unique. I will carry empathy… the humanitarian aspect of being a doctor,” Taylor reflects.
Beyond treating ailments, she envisions being a doctor who advocates for her patients, understanding their struggles beyond the confines of a medical textbook.
The city she interned in faced a significant challenge with a high level of fluoride in its water sources, impacting the health of its communities.
The research goal was ambitious yet crucial: finding a low-cost, highly efficient method of removing fluoride from water. Taylor and her research group dove into the project, collaborating with the Nelson Mandela Science Institution of Technology in Tanzania.
The internship required Taylor and her team to conduct tests on a fluoride-removing filter and witness firsthand the challenges faced by the Tanzanian communities.
Overconsumption of fluoride causes dental and skeletal fluorosis, affecting people’s teeth and bones.
“This research project was one in a million,” Taylor says, highlighting the rarity of an opportunity that seamlessly blended her passion for science with a humanitarian cause. The simplicity of the solution was profound – using charred bones as a cost-effective and efficient means to filter fluoride from water.
The fluoride-removing filter promises to enhance community health and create economic opportunities. Tanzanian communities can sell filtered water, generate income, and promote self-sustainability.
Looking ahead, Taylor envisions the project’s continuation, even after her graduation. While the specifics are uncertain, she remains open to mentoring future groups and staying involved in the initiative. As the research findings are set to be presented at a national conference in March, Taylor is eager to share the results of their collaborative efforts.
