UToledo Medical Student Awarded Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowship for Global Health Research

UToledo Medical Student Awarded Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowship for Global Health Research

After completing her third year of medical school at The University of Toledo, Tara Tekkey recently traveled halfway around the world to conduct research she hopes will improve maternal and infant health both abroad and at home.

Tekkey was awarded a prestigious Fulbright-Fogarty Public Health Fellowship, a nationally competitive program that supports research in low- and middle-income countries. At the end of July she left for Dhulikhel Hospital in Dhulikhel, Nepal, about 20 miles from Kathmandu, where for 10 months she is studying how ambient air pollution affects inflammation in maternal and fetal blood and how those changes influence pregnancy outcomes.

Although the research will focus on a public health challenge in Nepal, Tekkey said the findings could have implications far beyond the region.

"Air pollution is a problem in Kathmandu, but it's also a problem everywhere," she said. "Looking at pollution effects on maternal outcomes and pregnancy outcomes is something that not only benefits Nepal but also benefits the U.S."

Following the fellowship, Tekkey will return to UToledo to complete her fourth year of medical school before applying for obstetrics and gynecology residency programs.

She said her interest in OB/GYN grew during clinical rotations, where she discovered the specialty that combines surgery, patient care and opportunities to make a lasting difference in patients' lives.

"Obstetrics and gynecology is a specialty that does those things really well," Tekkey said. "I really enjoyed working with that patient population the most."

The Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowship offered an opportunity to pair that passion for women's health with meaningful research. She was drawn to Nepal not only because of the country's public health needs, but also because of her family's roots in neighboring India.

"It was research-based, which I really wanted my gap year to be," she said. "I chose Nepal because my dad is actually from South Asia. He's from India, and I always wanted to spend some time in that corner of the world. I can spend some time in South Asia, do some research and hopefully make the world a better place."

Tekkey said she hopes the fellowship will help shape a career that blends research with direct patient care.

"I feel like I get to do important research and then immediately see how it can impact someone in a way that's meaningful," she said.

She credits opportunities at The University of Toledo with reinforcing her passion for community-centered healthcare. Through experiences such as volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the CommunityCare Clinic, she discovered the value of serving patients beyond the traditional clinical setting.

"I've gotten to do a lot of volunteering and community work activities," Tekkey said. "That's pushed me to do something that's a little bit more community-facing, and I think that's something global health research does really well."

For Tekkey, the fellowship is more than an opportunity to conduct research overseas. It is the next step toward a career dedicated to improving the health of women and families through both scientific discovery and compassionate patient care.