Jonathan Nofziger '11 visits 91短视频 science classes in fall 2017 to talk about his work as a lab manager in Liberia. Nofziger says his biochemistry degree, along with electrical skills gained through involvement in 91短视频 theater and 91短视频's liberal arts education, have all been factors that have helped him work efficiently in a challenging environment. (Photos by Andrew Strack)

Biochemistry degree, theater involvement and liberal arts education prepared this Ebola researcher for challenging work

by Christopher Clymer Kurtz

Imagine a scientist working in a lab, and you might envision gleaming, sterile equipment in a strictly controlled environment. For one 91短视频 graduate now studying effects of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Liberia, keeping samples in a four-degree window for days on end while navigating obstacles like electrical fires and limited infrastructure requires a 鈥渇lexible way of thinking.鈥�

Jonathan Nofziger manages the daily operation of clinical laboratories at several locations that are part of the , which is looking at long-term health effects of EVD in survivors. In that role, Nofziger supervises laboratory technicians collecting and processing samples, operates and performs detailed troubleshooting and maintenance on laboratory equipment, and maintains computer and networking systems used in the lab.

Maybe it鈥檚 no surprise that Nofziger was a at 91短视频 and has a masters in public health from George Washington University. But he points to something else on his resume, too, that prepared him for his current role as research associate in Liberia for Advanced BioMedical Laboratories LLC: the liberal arts variety of his education, specifically theater.

鈥淎 major reason I got this job was actually because of my electrical skills that I gained while working at theater at 91短视频,鈥� he said recently. 鈥淲ithout that I might not have gotten the job 鈥� or at least I would be struggling to do the work I need to get done.鈥�

Managing laboratories in Liberia is no small challenge

Nofziger鈥檚 job includes doing anything required to keep labs functioning and projects running smoothly 鈥� no small feat, considering that the obstacles can appear insurmountable. Occasionally he asks himself, 鈥淚f I had a normal job, would I be bored?鈥�

Testing equipment and maintaining samples require constant, stable electricity, but the local grid is less than adequate, necessitating generators and extension cords to keep freezers powered so that blood samples can be kept at -80 degrees celsius. Washed-out roads in a climate with a six-month rainy season impede travel. The constant battle against dirt, humidity, and protracted supply chain timelines 鈥� which can take months 鈥� requires spending hours every day making sure equipment is fully functional and ready for running tests.

Jonathan Nofziger ’11 while on a visit to Professor Doug Graber Neufeld’s science class this fall. Jonathan works in Ebola research laboratories in Liberia.

A recent litany of electrical fires happened when building renovators incorrectly reconnected wires, sending way too much electricity into the system so that when the breaker was turned back on, it 鈥渆xploded.鈥� Later an upper-story water leak destroyed the hospital wing鈥檚 electrical system. Getting off the grid and onto generator power is a pressing need, he said.

A key benefit of one of his machines in particular, he said, is its 鈥渢horough troubleshooting manual.鈥�

Making an impact on public health

Such work requires broader training than just being taught a specific skill set.

鈥�91短视频 provided the direct mentorship with professors to encourage that kind of thinking, but also the hands-on skills I use every day,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 liberal arts education prepared me for the job that was available without limiting me to only the job I was trained to do.鈥�

Although his research focuses on EVD survivors 鈥� the 2014 EVD outbreak in Liberia has been declared ended by the World Health Organization 鈥� Nofziger knows the disease could reappear.

During a recent presentation to an 91短视频 biology classes, Nofziger said that he finds it exciting to be part of research that he knows is going to have an impact in a country comparable in size to Virginia that in nearly 11,000 cases during the 2014 EVD outbreak.

鈥淭hree years ago there was no effective treatment and no vaccines for ebola,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t really is amazing what happens when the world gets together and decides to solve a problem. I鈥檓 glad to contribute to that effort.鈥�

This article was first published in the Fall/Winter 2017 edition of .