Combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
I am determined to succeed. While pursuing my PhD in physics, the unthinkable happened: I was diagnosed with pleural TB. After losing my hair, I was diagnosed with a Deep Vein Thrombosis and eventually lost the ability to walk. Even though I was in the affluent tourist town of Hermanus South Africa, I received no support from those around me. Everyone was afraid to be near me, even though this form of TB is not contagious. I had to temporarily put my studies on hold to become a hospital inpatient so I could learn to walk again. I fought hard to survive, reclaim my PhD dream, and succeed, against all odds. Now, I offer my mathematical skills to help the AMR coalition study TB data and trends. In gratitude to the amazing team of physicians who saved my life, I now lend my voice to end the isolation and trauma of TB stigmatization. Because all of us need to be resistance fighters.
