Opinion: CWRU, what the “Heck” is your problem? (pg. 9)
The Case Western Reserve
Observer
Colin Jost cracks up CWRU Noah Henriques Staff Writer Shivangi Nanda Copy Editor
Last Friday, Colin Jost, Marcello Hernandez and Molly Kearney from Saturday Night Live took the stage in Severance Hall for UPB’s annual Spring Comedian show. Grace Johnson/The Observer
Classes, clubs, jobs and research— the stressors just seem to pile up at Case Western Reserve University, and sometimes we need some gut-busting laughs to help us forget about our endless responsibilities. The CWRU community got this reprieve last Friday, March 24 at the annual Spring Comedian event hosted by the University Program Board (UPB). Last year, students enjoyed a performance from famed comedian and actor Jimmy O’Yang. This year, UPB stepped up their game and brought Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) Weekend Update star Colin Jost and SNL rookies Marcello Hernandez and Molly Kearney to Severance Hall. Their unique stand-up styles made for a dynamic and entertaining show. First up was Hernandez, a proud alumni of nearby John Carroll University and Miami, Florida native. His laid-back attitude was reminiscent of
In a ceremony on March 16, GHDC handed off their reproductive health project to the NGO PATH. Representing both organizations, from left to right: Dr. Janet McGrath, Benedict Mulindwa, Dr. Andrew Rollins, Dr. Robert Ssekitoleko, Dr. Robert Mutumba, Dr. Betty Mirembe, Fiona Walugembe and Allen Namagembe. Puneet Bansal/The Observer
GHDC officially hands off reproductive health project to NGO in Uganda Puneet Bansal Sports Editor
Spring break was a great week for students to take a breather before the final stretch of the semester, but it was especially momentous for one of Case Western Reserve University’s student organizations. The Global Health Design Collaborative (GHDC) officially handed over their DMPA-SC packaging project to international public health non-gov-
ernmental organization PATH in Uganda. This was a major milestone in bringing the project to completion. “This achievement is the culmination of almost five years of research and prototype development,” said second-year biomedical engineering major Saloni Baral, the CWRU team lead for the project. “I am so excited to see our design being adopted by an entity like PATH that strives to promote women’s health globally.”
Friday, March 31st, 2023 Volume LIV, Issue 23 Est. 1969
Founded in 2015, GHDC is a club within the Undergraduate Student Government that collaborates with students and faculty at Makerere University (MAK) in Kampala, Uganda through a partnership known as the Engineering-Anthropology Collaboration. GHDC is advised by Dr. Janet McGrath, chair of the anthropology department, and Dr. Andrew Rollins, professor of biomedical engineering. MAK students are under the guidance of Dr. Robert Ssekitoleko, head of the university’s
the typical college student, with an outfit to match: a backwards hat, a shortsleeved Cleveland baseball jersey and jeans. His vibe immediately connected him with the audience, and he continued to hit it off with jokes that centered around his life as a biracial born to a “horny 5’ 6” Dominican dad” and a “hard-working Cuban mom,” a topic that resounded well with CWRU’s diverse student body. Transitioning into stories from his own college experiences, Hernandez regaled how Miami’s Hispanic neighborhoods were a far cry from the white college campus in Ohio. Two of his most memorable stories recounted a hilarious misunderstanding with his white ex-girlfriend mid-coitus and the time he showed off his native Spanish fluency in a college class. Coupled with an engaging stage presence, Hernandez’s stories packed a comedic punch like that of any seasoned professional—and he certainly didn’t give the audience a moment of rest. Up next was Kearney, the first nonbinary comedian to be featured on SNL. Continue reading on page 4 biomedical engineering program. The collaborative efforts of these two student groups address public health concerns in Uganda through anthropological methods and sustainable engineering solutions. GHDC currently has five ongoing projects: medical waste management, pulse oximetry for infants, a vaccine carrier and backpack for vaccine outreach and DMPA-SC packaging. Every spring break, students from both MAK and CWRU cooperatively conduct field research in rural Uganda, where design teams for each project gain feedback and exchange ideas about new directions and where to find more comprehensive solutions. DMPA-SC, which stands for subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, is a self-injectable contraceptive that protects against pregnancy for three months. Developed by Pfizer Inc. under the brand name Sayana Press, the drug is delivered through the BD Uniject injection system, a device that was originally developed by PATH. Founded in 1977, PATH is a global team that works to eliminate health inequities in more than 70 countries. This NGO works in conjunction with government leaders, bilateral organizations and grassroots groups to address various issues such as malaria, maternal care and HIV/AIDS. PATH is especially committed to advancing affordable, high-quality contraceptive technologies that empower those assigned female at birth to take control of their sexual and reproductive health. The ingenuity of DMPA-SC delivery through PATH’s device is that patients can self-inject. Most common alternatives must be administered by trained clinicians, who may be in facilities inaccessible for those living in rural areas. Continue reading on page 3