Harballab Bhullar

Voices Unheard: Exploring an Intersectional Analysis of Women's Health

Started July 4, 2023

Abstract or project description

There are many noteworthy areas of improvement when it comes to women's healthcare and I aim to address the substantial gaps between women's experiences and the often unheard voices of women when it concerns their own health. Simply put, intersectionality refers to the connection between social categorizations such as gender, race, class, etc. and in this review, I explore the connection between gender and racial bias in women's healthcare. Addressing many sections of healthcare, I explore the effects of these bias in research, education, patient care and treatment. Within this exploration the study delves into the phenomena known as "medical gaslighting" and sheds light on the unfortunate tendency of the medical field to overlook women's voices regarding this issue. My research is meant to explore unconscious bias as a cause for these disparities and a proposed research design to give a platform for women to be heard.

Current Next-Generation Vaccines for COVID-19: The Success and Challenges of mRNA Technology

Started Dec. 15, 2022

Abstract or project description

Vaccines and immunization serve as the cornerstone of public health. The COVID-19 pandemic mobilized the development of mRNA vaccines, which was expedited by prior research in mRNA technology. Traditional vaccines include recombinant protein vaccines, as well as inactivated viral vaccines, which utilize an inactive or weakened strain of the virus. By contrast, next-generation vaccines take advantage of new technology in nucleic acid, lipid nanoparticle, and viral vector cell delivery. mRNA vaccines are a type of nucleic acid-based next-generation vaccine that provide the genetic code that instructs the cell to produce the protein via direct translation. While traditional vaccine methods have been successful, mRNA technologies pose new opportunities to elicit a stronger immune response, specifically within the context of B and T cell responses. mRNA technology is only continuing to advance, and has future applications in cancer and other infectious diseases. In conclusion, mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 illustrated the potential of mRNA technology, and brought next-generation vaccines to center stage in the discussion of future of vaccine development.