I sometimes close my eyes to recall my joyful vacation in South East Asia. Those shimmering beaches of Thailand, that romantic boat ride down the Mekong, the futuristic skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur! But, when I open my eyes and see the reality of this world, all my dreams and utopian world that I wishes to live, soon vanish. Alas, invisible behind the glitzy shops and hotels are the millions of victims of HIV, a virus that has killed more than 25 million since 1981. Accustomed to some of the world’s best health care, we tend to forget that in much of South East Asia and Africa, the high incidence of viral disease is exacerbated by the lack of access to treatment. Despite all the scientific advances of the last century, health care is still regarded as a privilege and not a basic human right. It is up to the scientific community to change that and advance the quality of life for all humans regardless of wealth or nationality.
No idea is without inspiration. Mine comes from the incredible work of scientist and Doctor Peter Kim, the current research director in Merck & Co. His groundbreaking research into the chemistry of the interactions between the virus and the host cells has led to new insights into the workings of HIV, contributing to the development of innovative solutions that turned the once fatal disease into a treatable one.
Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to visit Merck & Co., where Peter Kim has been working, and learn about his accomplishments and the studies that I had found so interesting and informative. While he processed his previous procedure on how he found a cure for any certain disease, he revealed the importance of chemistry and how the role of it has provided the solution to the problem. Characterizing the physical and structural properties of the virus and designing new anti-virus compound require great understanding of Chemical activity. Just as he found the key to the mysterious virus of AIDS, Chemistry provides an answer to the natural phenomena by creating beneficial products to humanity.
As individuals, we all bear the responsibility for making the world a better place. As a future scientist, I see my role as working to apply chemistry to improving the existing and making new affordable medical treatments. Medicine ought to be available to all human beings regardless of race, class, or economic status. Peter Kim’s scientific contribution is encouraging; however, it is but a step on the long journey to end the suffering and disease that subsume most of the developing countries.
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