Faculty Sponsor: Sherine Hamdy

An epidemic of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes (CKDnT) is devastating populations of sugarcane harvesters in Northwestern Nicaragua and across Mesoamerica. Since the first scientific inquiry about the disease in 2002, CKDnT has remained a controversial, contested illness that is difficult to understand and control. Emily used structured interviews with researchers to better understand the challenges of CKDnT investigation in Nicaragua. The results of Emily’s project provided researchers in Nicaragua and across Mesoamerica with innovative solutions to problems that currently stymie CKDnT research.