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Nigeria
Drone Mapping and Schistosomiasis Control with Health In Your Hands
A 2025 expedition to Ogun State, Nigeria for prevention of the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis through medication administration, drone mapping using spatial epidemiology, and the introduction of new diagnostic methods, primarily the Foldscope
Bird's eye view of Imala Odo, one of five rural fishing villages visited by the Health In Your Hands team, and trails to water access sites along the Oyan River
Local children looking out at the Oyan River, one of the most prevalent areas for schistosomiasis transmission in the world
Children of Abule Titun in front of the Oyan Dam; constructed in 1983, the dam is largely responsible for the surge of schistosomiasis in the Oyan River in recent decades due to the prevention of migration of prawns that predate the host snails for schistosomiasis.
Local NTD researcher IfeOluwa George using a traditional compound microscope to detect schistosomiasis presence in urine samples
Head of Research William McCarthy training community health workers on schistosomiasis detection with the Foldscope and a smartphone
Local children at Imala Odo gathering to watch microscopy and the diagnosis process
Villagers gathering at Imala Odo for administration of praziquantel, the primary medication prescribed for schistosomiasis
The Planktoscope, designed by Manu Prakash, being field-tested for schistosomiasis detection for the first time by Vaibhav Shokeen
Vaibhav Shokeen operating the Planktoscope
A community health worker learns to use the Foldscope to detect schistosomiasis in filtered urine samples
A student in Apojola views plant leaves microscopically for the first time after learning to assemble and use a Foldscope
School children in Apojola, Ogun State
Children playing in the Oyan River in Apojola, where interaction with the water is a way of life - for play, work, laundry, and bathing
White Fulani cattle, the most widely reared cattle breed in Nigeria, make up 40% of the national herd and are a staple of these rural communities; even the cattle are at risk of contracting schistosomiasis from these waters and transmitting the parasite to humans.
A local fisherman returns from a day's work
Luhani, as seen from above
Catfish and tilapia are among the most abundant species of fish in the Oyan River, with local fishing methods including fishing nets and bamboo stick traps
Dr. Olubukola conducting vegetation sampling to identify preferred habitats of host snails where schistosomiasis will pose a higher risk of transmission
Biomphalaria snails, one of the primary vector species for Schistosoma mansoni, collected during vegetation sampling in the field
A local Apojola teacher helps students play "Schisto and Ladders", a board game designed by Cynthia Umunnakwe for youth education and awareness surrounding schistosomiasis
Apojola children among a cattle herd
Community health worker Nifemi conducting patient intake prior to schistosomiasis testing and consequent praziquantel administration
(From left to right): Daniel Amao, Vaibhav Shokeen, IfeOluwa George, Dr. Olubukola Adelakun, and local NTD Coordinator Dr. Soneye
Mexico
Microplastics Above Mexico: A High-Altitude Search for Pollution
A 2024 expedition to North America’s highest volcano, Pico de Orizaba (18,491 ft) in Puebla, Mexico to assess atmospheric microplastic deposition in high-altitude environments
(In collaboration with Dimitri Deheyn of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and team members Simon Birk, Jake Bartz, and Will McCarthy of UTHealth McGovern Medical School)
Arrival in Mexico City
Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
Leaving Mexico City
South aspect of Pico de Orizaba from Santa Cruz Texmalaquilla
Jake Bartz enjoying the view from Sierra Negra (15,026 ft)
SW aspect of Sierra Negra (left) and Pico de Orizaba (right) at sunrise
Pico de Orizaba looming behind papel picado in Tlachichuca, Puebla
Will McCarthy collecting snow samples at the summit of Sierra Negra (15,026 ft)
Jamapa Glacier, the most distinct and most frequently climbed glacier on Pico de Orizaba
Will McCarthy pondering the mountain from Tlachichuca, Puebla
Memorial cross at Pico de Orizaba base camp
Will preparing sample tubes for snow and saliva collection during the ascent of Pico de Orizaba
West aspect of Pico de Orizaba
Alaska
