Map of China highlighting the Nanjing providence.

Caroline B. Apreku, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Ghana, shadowed surgeons and medical students during a three week internship at Nanjing Medical University in China.

After watching several laparoscopic surgeries, said Apreku, “the head female surgeon instructed another doctor to prep me up for surgery.” Her task — an important one during a two-hour procedure — was to insert the laparoscope (a long tube-like surgical camera) through the patient’s navel into the uterus so the surgeons could begin a hysterectomy.

“I did that successfully with their verbal guidance,” she said. “During surgery, I had to aim the laparoscope towards the section of the uterus they were operating on.”

Apreku assisted in one other surgery and observed many more. “Every morning, I would follow a team of surgeons, residents and rotating medical students to visit patients in the wards,” she said. “They would ask me questions about the prognosis and treatments of patients and I believe if I were not a pre-health student, I would be clueless.”

Caroline Apreku performing surgery.

As a Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) student, Apreku took part in UAlbany’s Summer Research Program in 2016 and the CSTEP Conference in April 2017. She has served as a calculus tutor and an office assistant at CSTEP.

Through her CSTEP research presentations, Apreku made connections with her UAlbany mentors, Provost James Stellar and Professor JoEllen Welsh of Environmental Health Sciences.

She commends Stellar for finding ways to increase opportunities for undergraduates — especially students of color — that will lead to their acceptance to graduate schools.

Apreku has worked with Welsh, a prominent researcher in the area of Vitamin D and breast cancer, and is now conducting research with biologist Gabriele Fuchs at UAlbany’s RNA Institute on “The moonlighting effects of Glycogen Synthase 1 in Cardiac Development.”

“Being mentored under these renowned researchers motivated me to follow my goals, and they also guided me on that path,” said Apreku, who took a serendipitous route to her medical work in China.

She originally planned to conduct research at Columbia University. However, her sister was earning a master’s degree from Nanjing University and Apreku did not want to miss her graduation. “Family comes first,” she said. Her mentor Stellar fully backed her decision. “He said I might never find a good opportunity to visit China,” said Apreku. “I am so glad I followed his advice.”

The trip turned out to be much more than sight-seeing and ceremony. Apreku’s sister mentioned her to a friend who is an OB/GYN in China, and the friend offered Caroline the chance to shadow her in the hospital. For Apreku, whose long-term goal is to become a surgeon, the experience was priceless.