2008-2009 University Scholar Profile
Lauren R. MacDonald
Mentor: Sarah Hamersma
Warrington College of Business
"I applied to the Scholars program because I wanted an in-depth understanding of economic development. I knew there was much more to discover about various aspects of the term. I felt writing a thesis would open my eyes to the topics and discussions pertinent to today's issues. I am extremely interested in the field of economic development. I was always questioning why large, bureaucratic organizations were not doing more to aid those in need. I learned it is important to understand not every international development issue can be solved perfectly. The world is very complicated once you look at it through the eyes of those who have traveled. Change can impact the world, but it is just as rewarding to impact a family member or child. Much more needs to be accomplished, but we have to appreciate the small successes where we can."
Courses of Study
Major
Economics
Minor
Mass Communications and Business Administration
Research Interests
Interests
Awards
- New York University Dean’s List, multiple times
Volunteer Service / Organizations
- Served as the graphic arts director, floor representative, and social committee member for her 1200-student residence hall at New York University
Hobbies/Activities
Listening to the Dave Matthews Band, bike riding, walking her dog, and origami.
Research Description
The Booster Program for Malaria Control in Africa
Human and economic development is thwarted in many African nations due to the fundamental obstacle that malaria places on society. Through a pure economic perspective, the quality and quantity of human capital is compromised and this deters much needed foreign investment. However, through a more meaningful micro viewpoint, malaria makes life difficult for families at the household level. Spending habits, fertility rates, and even what crops the family chooses to plant this season are dictated by their health battle with malaria.The World Bank and many other large funders have admitted to not focusing enough on the fight against malaria. Therefore, in 2005, it implemented the Malaria Booster Program in Africa to help alleviate the spread of this erupting communicable disease.
My thesis attempts to describe to what extent the Malaria Booster Program is associated with improvements in outpatient cases, and consequently, which aspects of the program have had the strongest effect. I will compare the effects of various health intervention components, such as mosquito nets, types of medication and indoor residual spraying, in hopes of hypothesizing the result capacity of placing one treatment method of one country into another. Among the other intervention methods, mosquito nets have fewer tendencies for error, unlike the possibility of immunity to anti-malarial medication. Nevertheless, distributing the mosquito nets versus having families keep their children under its protection at night are two completely different tales. This implementation issue highlights the results challenges many operational managers face. With further research I hope to discover trends in success cases and develop a better understanding of what might be the best and most cost effective route to fight this communicable disease.
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