Mr. Robert Sahms' AP Biology Class visited the laboratories of Jonathan "Jake" Kurtis '85, M.D., Ph.D., in late April at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University School of Medicine. Dr. Kurtis, who spoke to the school community last fall about his ground-breaking work in the field of malaria research, hosted Mr. Sahms and eight students at the Center for International Health Research, of which he is director. He is also a professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and associate director of Transfusion Medicine and Coagulation.
Dr. Kurtis's work focuses on finding a vaccine for malaria, which, he says, is the most important single-agent killer of children on the planet. The lethal disease accounts for two million deaths each year -- one child every 15 seconds. His work is considered among the most promising in the world in the field of infectious diseases.
"Several things impressed me about our time with Dr. Kurtis," said Mr. Sahms. "The students saw a technique (electrophoresis) we had done in our lab being used to help solve a major problem in the world, and they observed a machine running polymerase chain reactions, a procedure they learned about from their book. This helped to make science real to them.
"What impressed me most, however, were the three life-lessons Dr. Kurtis shared with our students," continued Mr. Sahms. "He told of being invited to meet with the Chairman of the Nobel Prize Committee from Sweden, but Dr. Kurtis already had plans to have dinner with his family, and the family came first. He then encouraged the students to think about what wakes them up in the morning. And finally, he inspired them to consider the legacy they will leave behind. Dr. Kurtis is a world-renowned scientist and a down-to-earth, compassionate guy at the same time."
David Allen '16, who hopes to be an orthopaedic surgeon, said: "Dr. Kurtis has inspired me to work even harder in the sciences. He showed us robots that can dilute hundreds of samples of human serum in an hour; 10 years ago, this would have taken weeks. He also showed us transformed e.coli that had a worm gene in it. He used an analogue of lactose to keep the gene turned on so he could produce protein. Dr. Kurtis also showed us malaria under a microscope. This man is not motivated by money or competition; he is motivated to save millions of people. He is possibly one of the most honorable men I have ever met, and I hope to be like him someday."
Cassie Schuchert '16 added, "After Dr. Kurtis' intriguing lecture this past fall, naturally, my AP Biology class wanted to learn more about his work as an international health researcher working closely with malaria and schistosomiasis.
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"We arrived at his lab with the hopes of a laboratory tour, and we left with a new grasp on biological research technology and a handful of scientific wisdom. Dr. Kurtis' passion for pathology and vaccine development radiated as he explained complex immune processes, showed us his lab "gadgets," and introduced us to his accomplished colleagues. Seeing the biology I have studied all year come to life was an extraordinary experience.
"My entire class was given a special treat towards the end of the visit as we witnessed two lab-grown, parasitic worms interact through a microscope. Dr. Kurtis' team also revealed a slide of blood cells infected by malaria.
"We concluded the day with lunch and a deep discussion that inspired the scientist within all of us. Dr. Kurtis' advice and stories prepared me for my plans and research in college, where I will study as biology major. He encouraged us to find what we are passionate about, keep our eyes on the end goal, and always strive to make a difference for the world and the people in it."
Dr. Kurtis, whose love of science was fired by his biology class at Portsmouth Abbey with Robert Sahms, also enjoyed the visit: "I had a blast.... (The students) were incredibly well prepared, and I think seeing the complex machines and devices we use in a modern research laboratory really brought the science they are learning to life. If I had this experience when I was in AP Bio in 1985, I think it would have helped me realize how exciting the process of scientific discovery is.
"I left the students with a challenge," he concluded. "Find a discipline that is both important from a global perspective, and fascinating from a personal perspective. Then devote yourself to it..."
View a slide show of the AP Bio visit to Dr. Kurtis's lab.
Photo Caption, Top: Jake Kurtis '85, M.D., Ph.D., in his laboratory at the Center for International Health Research, with Abbey students (l to r): Eli Wilson '16, Nelson Choi '16, Cassie Schuchert '16, David Allen '16, David Brower '16, Sam Choi '16, Hansu Kim '16, George Humphreys '17