WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
Born for Science
ST . LOUIS RESEARCH SCIENTIST FOCUSES ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
By Vicki Bennington
Even as a small child growing up in the sub-Saharan African country of Zimbabwe , Dr . Lalage Katunga , who now has a doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology , knew she was interested in science .
Her inquisitive mind looked for answers to questions like “ What are bacteria ?” and similar subjects that many children never even consider .
When her mother brought home stacks of books from the publishing company where she worked , Lalage gravitated toward those that discussed medical symptoms and diagnosing ailments .
“ I would read those books just for fun ,” she said . “ They helped build my medical vocabulary .”
In high school , when she won the award for “ Best in Science ,” she knew where her life ’ s path would take her .
A research fellow in Saint Louis University ’ s Edward A . Doisy Dept . of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Lalage ’ s primary focus is cardiovascular research - in particular - how diabetes leads to heart disease .
“ My main interest is the intersection of the heart and immune system , with an overall focus on genetics and unique traits in certain populations and how those traits can lead to disease ,” she said .
But the road to discovering what has become her chief focus took her across an ocean and another continent .
“ In Zimbabwe , there were many public health concerns , and when I was growing up , huge issues began with HIV and AIDS ,” she said . She noticed . She was interested and wanted to help do something about it . Consequently , her first real job was with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Harare , Zimbabwe , where she worked on improving public health and nutrition .
Later , in North Carolina , where she completed her bachelor ’ s of science degree in biology , cell and microbiology with a minor in chemistry , she studied food and its effects on the human body . At the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute , she studied dietary changes and nutritional transition among the Inuit populations , who had traditionally been known for minimal disease .
“ In the past , this population ate more fish , and consumed a steady intake of Omega 3 vitamins , which was thought to be protective against disease - much like the study of the French helped us realize that a certain amount of red wine and olive oil are good for you ,” she said .
“ But they have now adopted more of a Western diet , and we wanted to determine the effect of these changes on their health .”
Through her course of research , she transitioned from public health and nutrition to what food does as an active component in the development of disease .
A unique aspect in her studies at Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville , North Carolina where she found her real calling in research and earned her doctorate degree , was the fact that she worked with human patients .
“ We could go into the operating room , collect human heart samples , look at free radicals and see changes – how people are affected who are black versus white , or those with diabetes and other factors ,” she said .
She is still interested in public health , too , and educating people on how obesity , diabetes and other controllable factors relate to cardiovascular disease .
“ Obesity can lead to diabetes , and diabetics have a much higher rate of heart disease ,” she said . “ I want to help prevent heart disease , which would result in less organ transplants and eliminate the need for as many prescription drugs ."
In addition to identifying therapeutics to help delay or prevent heart disease , her research is geared toward preventing progression once disease is present .
Lalage made her initial decision to come to the U . S . following years of hardship in her native country . College began at University of Zimbabwe , but local unrest caused the school to be temporarily closed . Wanting to continue her education , she made the move to the U . S . alone when she was just 22 years old .
“ The transition has been good , though it is often hard when moving from a developing country . I ’ ve met a lot of good people along the way , and it ’ s allowed me to explore parts of myself that I didn ’ t know were there ,” she said . “ I feel like I have carved a niche in the cities I ’ ve lived , and I love St . Louis . It ’ s growing and emerging , and I feel privileged to be a part of that .”
Due to turmoil she witnessed in Zimbabwe , Lalage said she realizes how important it is to be part of the civic discourse , and an organization she holds near and dear is Super Heroines , Etc ., focusing on empowering women to embrace their inner “ nerd ” through educational events , classes and workshops .
A female research scientist in the medical field is not that common back home , she said , and in fact , is not all that ordinary in the United States , and Super Heroines encourages women to embrace such careers in sciences and technology .
Lalage also volunteers at Venture Café , an organization that connects innovation communities locally , nationally and globally . As an adjunct professor at Logan University , she teaches a biosciences class .
In her spare time , she writes about social causes like women ’ s basic and reproductive rights in lower middle income countries , access to care – basically , issues she feels strongly about . Her work has been published in “ The Journal of Physiology ,” “ Journal of the American Heart Association ,” and “ International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ,” among others .
Yoga is one of her personal passions , and she stays fit running three miles a day with her doodle , Conner , in tow .
Recently celebrating her first anniversary in St . Louis , she is still discovering what the city has to offer , venturing out to a show at The Muny , a wine tasting downtown , or dinner at an unexplored restaurant . Lalage ’ s website and blog can be found at lalagekatunga . com .
58 GAZELLE STL