UTEP Students Gain Global Fluency During Summer Internship in Panama
Published July 26, 2024
By Darlene Muguiro
UTEP College of Health Sciences
This summer, five UTEP students from varied fields of study within the College of Health Sciences and College of Liberal Arts spent their summer in Panama as part of a research and study exchange hosted by the Virtual Center for Border and Global Engagement.
This year's cohort included Lucero Acosta Lopez (Rehabilitation Sciences major), Arantxa Rangel Salcido (Political Science major), Paola Ramirez (Master of Social Work major), Irene Marquez (Public Health major), and Ysela Montero (Master of Social Work major). Each student was assigned to a specific research team with UTEP partner INDICISAT-AIP (Institute for Scientific Research and High Technology Services), where they gained hands-on experience in community-engaged research in health disparities, practiced critical skills in varied laboratory settings, and expanded their horizons while interacting with professionals and community members from a different culture. Dr. Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia, associate professor of Public Health, accompanied the team during their stay in Panama.
Irene Marquez (Public Health): Marquez, a senior public health major who is minoring in global health and sociology, said she was interested in the opportunity to deepen her understanding of global health and enhance her cultural competence. While there, she worked for INDICASAT’s Virology Department, gaining practical knowledge that allowed her to understand the complexity of global health issues and grow as a professional.
“I was initially intimidated by the advanced equipment and experienced professors,” she said. “However, as I engaged further in discussions with the team, my confidence grew, and I understood how interdisciplinary solutions lead to innovative public health interventions.”
Marquez said that upon arriving in Panama, she was immediately struck by the dense population and skyscrapers, which were nothing like the jungle terrain and modest infrastructure she had anticipated. She says one of the most surprising things she learned about Panama was the key role the Panama Canal has played in the country’s development, attracting foreign investment and improving the infrastructure, which has ultimately impacted public health outcomes.
Marquez says her internship experience in Panama has sparked an interest in laboratory work, and she plans to visit with her advisors to see how she can incorporate research into her plans for her master’s degree.
Ysela Montero (Social Work): Montero, a student in the Master of Social Work program, said she was inspired to apply for a summer research internship with INDICISAT by the desire to learn about other cultures while having the opportunity to confront pressing issues. She felt honored to have been selected for the opportunity to complete a summer internship in Panama, and described her experience in becoming part of the malaria research team led by Dr. Ricardo Correa as “outstanding.”
“The team has worked for over 15 years in a microwave energy study, trying to find a solution to eradicate malaria,” she said. “They make you part of their team, integrating you very quickly, and provide all of the information you might need to know so you can learn faster.”
Montero says she learned so much from her experience in the lab, including how to work consistently toward finding solutions to problems and, most importantly, to remain patient during the process.
“One of the most important things I learned on this trip to Panama was how to avoid feeling defeated, and instead, work daily with your eyes fixed on the goal you want to reach, to find a solution that benefits everyone.”
Paola Ramirez (Social Work): Ramirez, a student in the Master of Social Work program, said she was inspired to apply for a position in the summer research program by her desire to see firsthand how social issues impact communities abroad, as well as her commitment to helping in any capacity possible.
While in Panama, Ramirez was assigned to the Province of Darien, investigating the ecology of malaria vector mosquitos and socioeconomic aspects of the community that influence malaria transmission. She was immediately struck by the resourcefulness of indigenous communities living along the rivers, who learned to make the best of what they had and rely upon one another for support.
"I was most surprised to see how the individuals in the rural indigenous communities utilize the river. This community did not have water and sanitation services, so the river was what the residents used for everything from utilizing the facilities to washing their clothes," she said. "It was interesting to see and live in a community without these services because we hear about it, but until one lives through it, it is hard to see just how important it is to have clean running water."
Ramirez says that her experience confirmed her desire to work on the macro level of social work, where she can focus on large-scale systematic change. She also is beginning to explore the idea of incorporating research into her future profession.
Arantxa Rangel Salcido (Political Science): Arantxa Rangel Salcido, a senior Political Science major, says that she inherently understands that health is the most valuable asset in a community, and for this reason, was inspired to apply for a summer research internship with INDICASAT. She believes that in order to create effective health policies, people must first understand how health issues are handled within those same communities.
During her time in Panama, Rangel Salcido was assigned to INDICASAT’s Unidad Clinica to investigate cognitive decline among older adults. In addition to the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge from her courses, she gained many new skills from her interactions with the research team and community members.
“I learned about best practices in social research, data collection, and planning for dissemination of the results,” she said. “I also began to understand how dementia affects older adults and expanded my communication skills through interactions with the study participants.”
Rangel Salcido says one of the most surprising things she noticed about Panama was the “noticeable social inequality,” despite the country’s strong economy. She was also struck by the level of engagement of the participants and practical application of the research. The experience has inspired her to continue in research, and she plans to begin graduate school this fall.
“Ultimately, I’d like to have a job where I can help my community, doing something that is community-based,” she said. “This experience really made me realize how necessary it is to improve research in border communities, especially in our El Paso-Juarez border.”
Lucero Astrid Acosta (Rehabilitation Sciences): Acosta, a senior Rehabilitation Sciences major, describes her summer internship in Panama as a “collection of surprising events.” Having previously worked in the College’s PRIME PT Lab, Acosta was inspired to try her hand at research in an international setting, describing the opportunity as a fascinating combination of two of her passions: healthcare and global experiences.
“The opportunity aligned with my aspirations as a future healthcare provider,” she said. “I felt it would provide me with tools to enhance my cultural competence and understanding of the interdisciplinary approach involved in serving diverse communities.”
While in Panama, Acosta joined fellow CHS student and researcher Paola Ramirez as part of INDICASAT’s mosquito team, investigating the ecology of malaria vector mosquitos in the Province of Darien and the socioeconomic factors that influence malaria transmission in the community. The setting thrust her out of her comfort zone, and brought the reality of the phrase “health disparities” to life.
“The social determinants of health in this community are challenging and living conditions are very different from what we know. I realized the lack of advocacy for Indigenous communities,” she said. “The internship provided me with the opportunity to learn the beauty of observing with curiosity rather than with judgment.”
Acosta says that experiencing research firsthand at both a local and global level has helped her realize the tremendous positive impact it can bring to communities. After she graduates this coming fall, she hopes to be accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UTEP. She plans to incorporate research into her future profession as a clinician.
“In the future, I would like to focus my research on addressing the role that physical therapy plays in disability prevention and management, rehabilitation post-injury, or chronic disease management at a global level.”
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Go Miners!
For more information about the Virtual Center for Border and Global Engagement, please email Carla Rosete, assistant director, at clrosete@utep.edu.
