All About Your Co-Investigator
Professional Background
My name is Katrina Zabransky. I am an undergraduate student at Clemson University studying microbiology, genetics, and public health. I was first introduced to the public health field through a course in microbial pathogenesis. This course introduced me to infectious disease research, epidemiology, case studies, and mathematical models. I hope to combine my passion of serving others with my interest in health care to obtain a career in a public health related field.
Fun Fact: I love to figure skate! I started figure skating at 8 years old and competed for multiple years.
Personal Experience
In my free time, I enjoy traveling and learning photography. This past summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe for a month visiting multiple countries including Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, and Sweden. I loved seeing all the Medieval, Renaissance, and Middle Ages architecture of castles, churches, and government buildings. In every city, I experienced the local cuisine, utilized the public transportation, and visited every museum I could to learn about the history and culture. Engaging in conversations with locals and immersing myself in the culture of each nation allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives on political, economic, and societal topics. This trip deepened my desire to explore more cities and cultures, and apply what I have learned to my future career.
While I was in Poland, I caught a cold and visited a pharmacy. I learned very early that the medical system in Poland is very different from that of the United States. Pharmacies in the United States have allergy and cold medicines on shelves for customers to choose from. The pharmacy in Poland contained all medicines behind the counter. You would describe your symptoms and the kind of medicine you were looking for, then the pharmacist would provide recommendations to you. It was a more personable experience than I traditionally experience in CVS or Walgreens in the United States. While my visit to the pharmacy in Poland was a very small part of my trip, the experience lingered with me. It was a large difference in societal practice that I observed. It helped me understand that even the simplest things such as purchasing cold medicine can provide very different experiences based on the local culture.