William Penn University Student Earns Honors for His Accomplishments
Janseen Almodovar in front of his poster. (submitted photo)
Janseen Almodovar, a senior Pre-professional Biology major with a minor in Chemistry, received a Certificate of Achievement for the presentation of his research at the Heartland Global Health Consortium (HGHC) poster session in Des Moines on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. He placed second overall in the undergraduate division (out of 20 entries) and was awarded $250 for his efforts. Almodovar studied the effect of dietary changes on the nutritional status of diabetics as measured by a number of blood parameters. These studies took place in Puerto Rico as part of his summer internship.
The Heartland Global Health Consortium is a group of Iowa colleges and universities that have come together around a common interest of international health. Additional members include Central College, Des Moines University, Drake University, Grinnell College, Iowa State University, Mercy College of Health Sciences, Simpson College, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa.
The consortium was established in 2007 with the underlying assumption that global learning experiences for students and faculty benefit Iowa, and the United States, in the areas of economics, civic engagement and improvement of health outcomes. The consortium focuses on partnerships with other countries, collaborative research, and educational programming. (http://www.heartlandconsortium.org)
HGHC holds an annual conference welcoming participants who are well known in the fields of nutrition and health from around the world. The 5th Annual Global Health Fall Conference was titled “Food, Nutrition and Health in a Changing World”. Several keynote speakers were present, including Dr. Hugo Laviada from the School of Health Sciences of Marista University in Mexico. Dr. Laviada praised Janseen’s efforts and invited him to visit Marista University, where Dr. Laviada also studies diabetic nutrition and health.
Almodovar is the second William Penn student to win a coveted HGHC award in three years. Jean Christosome Bikomeye, a 2011 graduate, placed 1st in 2010. Bikomeye currently attends medical school in Rwanda. Janseen would like to pursue a medical degree, most likely attending Des Moines University. The winning poster is currently displayed in the Science Wing of William Penn University’s Oskaloosa campus on the third floor of the Penn Activity Center (PAC).
