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Global Health Issues in South Africa: First Students Arrive for Summer Program
Our newest program, Global Health in South Africa began on June 1. South Africa is an ideal country to host this program, given the substantial health challenges, controversial governmental policies, as well as the innovative response of NGOs (e.g. Treatment Action Campaign), academics and civil society. Additionally, traditional healers play a substantial role in primary health care, so it interesting to observe the intersection of the various healths care systems.
As a field at the intersection of medicine and the social sciences, Global Health teaching needs to incorporate a human rights-based approach in its framework. Students are expected to learn from global frameworks, to then be able to apply the learned frameworks in local contexts ("Think global, act local").
The students arrived in Johannesburg and spent the first few days exploring the city, developing an understanding of the socio-political milieu of the country, aided by visits to the Apartheid Museum, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, Constitution Hill and attending various lectures by visiting academics. Then we headed north to the WITS Rural Facility, which is one of the key centers of learning in the rural areas close to the Kruger Park. Here the students visited a range of medical institutions and organizations, from the local hospital, the home-care givers to Sangomas (Shaman) and Inyangas (Herbalists) in order to develop an understanding of the health-seeking habits of people in the district.
The group is currently in the far north of the country in Hamakuya at the Tsulu Trust, at an education center deep in the heart of the bush. This 8-day segment provides hands-on research experience for students and allows them to immerse themselves in the everyday life and culture of a rural Venda community. After two introductory days with lectures in community-based participatory research methodology, medical anthropology, Venda language as well as preparation of the research projects, students will go into a 3-day homestay with a local Venda family. During the homestay, students will be helped by a translator to live with the family and participate in everyday activities to fully experience rural life in South Africa, as well as focusing on their research.
The new summer program has started well, beyond all initial hopes and expectations! The students are bright and motivated, and have made a real success of the course so far. They are looking forward to the homestays, and then the journey to the Kruger Park to wrap up the course.
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Neotropical Streams Course
Eighteen graduate students - from Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Tanzania and the United States, and with research interests ranging from science education, to systematics of aquatic fungi, to land use effects on stream biota - initiated a new two-week course, "Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Rivers" at La Selva in May 2011. The course was coordinated by Cathy Pringle (University of Georgia), Elizabeth Anderson (Florida International University), Mary Freeman (USGS and University of Georgia) and TA Marcia Snyder (University of Georgia) with help from local professors including Monika Springer (Universidad de Costa Rica), Pia Paaby (consultant), Rodrigo Rojas (Instituto Nacional de Electricidad), and Andrea Suárez (Universidad Nacional).
Through field experiences, lectures, and discussions that lasted well into most evenings, students explored basic concepts of stream ecology and pressing challenges in conserving aquatic biodiversity in the neotropics. The physical and geochemical variety of streams at La Selva provided a rich context for students armed with dip nets, seines and snorkels to learn about stream insect diversity and fish-habitat relations. Students also delved into conservation issues stemming from land use changes (such as increasing banana and pineapple production near La Selva) and hydropower development - both of which pose major challenges for conserving tropical biodiversity. The short-term goals of the course, facilitating cross-cultural exchange and providing an introduction to tropical stream ecology and conservation issues, were clearly met. Quite possibly, the course also laid foundations for future collaborations and continued work by course participants on aquatic conservation in the tropics.
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La Selva Hosts Climate Change Round Table
 As a follow-up to the First Business Forum on Sustainability and Environment, "Al Gore in Costa Rica, Global Affairs", held last March, OTS hosted a Round Table discussion, "Understanding the Scientific and Technical Basis of Climate Change", at La Selva on May 27. The event drew thirty-four representatives of governmental institutions, the business sector, and NGOs eager to learn more about Climate Change and research being conducted at La Selva.
The Round Table included a distinguished group of panelists: Roberto Villalobos (Instituto Meteorológico Nacional), who spoke on climate changes in Costa Rica; Dr. Deborah Clark (Univ. of Virginia, USA), who spoke on forest ecosystems under a changing climate; Dr. Jorge Benavides (Global Health, OTS), who discussed the public health impacts of climate change; and Dr. Alvaro Morales (Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología), who presented on the impact of climate change on the ocean. Dr. Pedro León (Centro Nacional de Alta Tegnología) moderated the activity.
After the Round Table, the participants visited a series of research sites where scientists are currently investigating aspects of climate change. They also received a forest tour by La Selva Naturalist Guides.
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Las Cruces Canopy Tower Inauguration
 On May 31, Las Cruces held an inaugural event commemorating the installation of a new observation canopy tower. The structure stands 15 meters (~50 ft) high and consisting of two platforms at different levels which allows visitors to observe wildlife and birds. With bird sightings of over 500 species, Las Cruces is the ideal location for structure of this nature. The tower design, materials, and installation were made possible through the support of the San Vito Bird Club and individual donations.
The President and CEO of OTS, Dr. Elizabeth Losos, Zak Zahawi, Director of Las Cruces Biological Station, and Alison Olivieri, President of the San Vito Bird Club welcomed attendees to the inauguration ceremony. Attendees included Tower Architect Felix Villalobos, construction staff, station staff, members of the San Vito Bird Club and the media.
The Canopy Tower will be available to our academic courses, and to natural history visitors. It is the only tower of its kind in the area, which is certain to make it an attractive option travel agents, tour operators, and independent visitors.
Links:
Article in La Nación
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OTS celebrates Environment Month
 June is here and OTS celebrates it as the "Environment Month", to coincide with the World Environment Day (June 5th) celebration. During this month, OTS is using its website, social networks, bulletins and environmental celebrations to reinforce our commitment to the environment and to raise the profile of local, regional and global environmental issues. We are having educational activities for staff and general public. The fourth annual Eco-Cultural Festival, San Vito, organized by Las Cruces Biological Station, will be held June 17-18, 2011. For more information, please click here.
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Measure Your Ecological Footprint
 Measure Your Ecological Footprint is our new Spanish-language application on Facebook that will help raise awareness about the environmental impact of your actions and habits. The application was created to celebrate OTS Month of the Environment and it will be active during the whole month of June.
After the user answers six questions, the survey estimates his/her impact on the environment. It is also an introduction to the OTS Eco-Tips Campaign. The application is open to every person with a Facebook account.
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Open enrollment graduate course
There is still time for Spanish-speaking applicants to apply to the six-week annual field course
Ecología Tropical y Conservación 2012-2
New application deadline: June 30, 2011
Please follow the link for more information and application forms, or write to academic@ots.ac.cr
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Julio Calvo Elected as Rector
 We are pleased to share the news that Julio Calvo Alvarado, a member of the OTS Board of Directors, Assembly of Delegates and CRIC, has been elected to the position of Rector for the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica.
We offer him our sincere congratulations on this prestigious recognition.
Click here for full article.
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Global Health Student Presents at Society of Ethnobiology Conference
 Rebecca Gwaltney, a Fall '10 Global Health Semester student recently attended the Society of Ethnobiology Conference in Columbus, Ohio.With the encouragement from her ethnobiology professor, Dr. Hector Castañeda, Rebecca presented a poster at the conference.
In her own words:
During my semester abroad from Providence College, through the Duke University and Organization for Tropical Studies Global Health Program, I had the opportunity to conduct ethnobiological research in a remote indigenous community in the jungles of Costa Rica. I studied the Brunka community's knowledge of wild edible plant species and found that this knowledge is being lost generationally and will soon vanish altogether if this trend is allowed to continue. After a semester back at Providence College, I was offered the opportunity to present this research at the Society of Ethnobiology Conference in Columbus, Ohio. With the gracious help of Dr. Elisabeth Arevalo and the PC Biology Department, I was able to construct a poster presentation of my findings and spent two days in Ohio for the conference. The poster presentation went well and the conference was enlightening, as well as enjoyable.
Congratulations Rebecca!
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