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Justin Lana Investigates Risk Factors for a Neglected Tropical Disease

Justin Lana

Justin Lana is a 2012 graduate of the Duke Master of Science in Global Health program. He’s pursuing a PhD in Environment at the Nicholas School of the Environment.

While at DGHI for his master’s degree, Lana spent seven months in northern Peru working on his thesis under the mentorship of assistant professor of global environmental health William Pan. Following graduation, Lana worked briefly in Pan’s lab as a senior data technician before taking a 14-month position in South Sudan working as a technical advisor with the South Sudan Guinea Worm Eradication Program. 

And now, Pan is once again mentoring Lana. Last summer, Lana joined Pan’s Bass Connections team in Peru, which explored the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a neglected tropical disease transmitted by sandflies. For his dissertation project, he’ll build on this research, evaluating risk factors of CL infection using epidemiological, environmental and clinical approaches. 

Specifically, Lana will test the primary hypothesis that artisanal and small-scale gold mining and deforestation are associated with an increased risk for CL infection. The study will leverage long-term partnerships between Pan’s research team, trained field workers, Peruvian medical professionals and the Ministry of Health in the Madre de Dios region.

Lana was recently named a 2016 Emerging Leaders in Science and Society Fellow with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“I truly believe global health is a lifestyle as much as it is a serious academic discipline, and as a doctoral scholar I plan to build on both fronts,” said Lana. “The program’s financial support will strengthen my research by allowing me to stay in Peru longer. And as a member of this program, I’m instantly connected with like-minded individuals from whom I can receive feedback and support as I move through this PhD journey.”

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