Searching for A Cure Jamaica Native Investigates an Anti-Viral Compound to Combat the Dengue Virus

Ashland, VA – It starts with a sudden high fever, headaches and a mild rash. Left untreated, the Dengue Virus can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever, shock, the collapse of the cardiovascular system and sometimes death – but not if Kerisa Harriott has anything to do with it. Harriott, a 2003 graduate of Hillel Academy in Jamaica, is working to find an effective cure for this increasingly widespread disease, which is similar to West Nile. Harriott is one of many students participating in the 2005 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va.
Currently, the Dengue Virus, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, is endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, South America, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. In comparison, in the 1970s the virus was present in just nine countries. As the virus multiplies, so do the chances of acquiring the disease. To combat this growing problem, Harriott and three other R-MC students, along with chemistry professor Nora Green, are studying two proteins linked to the virus – the envelope protein and the viral protease. More specifically, Harriott’s SURF project involves her creating various types of molecules that will, if successful, act as inhibitors for the viral protease and also serve as the basis for an anti-viral drug for the disease.
“I became interested in this topic because the Dengue Virus currently is affecting developing countries such as Jamaica and I have seen firsthand the impact of this virus on people,” said Harriott, who plans to attend medical school after graduation. “If a form of treatment is not developed soon, this virus will inevitably spread to more developed countries such as the United States.”
Harriott, a rising junior, chemistry major and biology minor, is the daughter of Michael Harriott and Pauline Nelson of Kingston, Jamaica.
To participate in SURF, Harriott had to write a proposal and apply for grant money to fund her research. Additionally, she is earning a stipend and receiving room and board. Harriott is one of 28 students conducting cutting-edge research this summer in more than 10 disciplines, including chemistry, biology, psychology, physics, education, philosophy, political science, drama, music and business.
"SURF gives undergraduates the rare opportunity to revel in the freedom and independence of research that usually leads to new discoveries,” said Serge Schreiner, chair of the chemistry department and co-director of the SURF program. “Students also have to deal with the challenges and difficulties of original research, which more often than not pay off in a new work ethic. In addition, SURF students have the opportunity to share their results with the Randolph-Macon community, as well as present their work in national and international forums. It’s an amazing opportunity for students at this level.”
The SURF program was established in 1995 by the Schapiro Research Program, an endowment fund that supports scholarly undergraduate research by Randolph-Macon College students in all disciplines. For more information, please contact Holly Clark at (804) 752-3712 or hclark@rmc.edu or Anne Marie Lauranzon at (804) 752-7317 or alauranz@rmc.edu. Photos also are available upon request.
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Founded in 1830, Randolph-Macon College is celebrating its 175th anniversary of providing excellence in undergraduate education. Located in historic Ashland just north of Richmond, Randolph-Macon College is a nationally ranked co-educational, liberal arts and sciences college with a mission of “developing the minds and character of its students.” The college achieves this mission through a combination of personal interaction and academic rigor. The student-faculty ratio is 11:1 and the average class size is 16 students. Enrollment is kept at approximately 1,150 to maintain this intimate atmosphere. Randolph-Macon College has an outstanding national reputation for its internships, science programs, study abroad and undergraduate research opportunities and offers a wealth of social and athletic programs to its students. Randolph-Macon College is the oldest United Methodist Church affiliated college in the nation, a Phi Beta Kappa college and is ranked as a Baccalaureate I college by the Carnegie Foundation and among the top 100 colleges in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.