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Alfred Iqbal: Lead serology microbiologist says public service is in his blood!
Alfred Iqbal has just returned from visiting his wife in his native Pakistan. It’s his annual pilgrimage — repeated each of the five years since he moved to the U.S. His wife has been trying to get clearance to move here so they can be reunited permanently. Iqbal’s wife is a physician in Quetta, Baluchistan Province. His parents are public servants — his father is a pastor, his mother a teacher. He believes he was born into public service. Public health is a natural place for Iqbal, who says his work tracking and diagnosing disease helps make Washington a safer and healthier place. Today, Iqbal is conducting syphilis tests at the Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline. It’s part of his daily work as lead microbiologist for serology (the science of blood serum). He always remembers his mentor’s mantra: never forget you’re dealing with the lives of people. Three of the test samples confirmed positive for syphilis.
Iqbal tests samples for syphilis. Iqbal also works in virology (viruses and viral diseases), identifying mosquitoes captured in our state. It’s part of West Nile virus tracking. “Teeny, tiny bugs have always fascinated me,” says Iqbal. “Seeing the detail revealed when a bug is under a microscope inspired me to become a PhD in microbiology.” Through the looking glass. A former teacher at Karachi University, Iqbal finds great reward in continuing to learn, and then training others. Originally hired at Department of Health as a bioterrorism microbiologist, Iqbal recently attended a training update on the biological agents of highest concern. He is now qualified to, “train the trainers” on the subject. Are these the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus? Iqbal identifies mosquito species in WA He also brought back similar West Nile virus training, and says it is fascinating to keep learning new things and applying his knowledge to help protect people in our state from disease. |
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02/08/2008 03:09 PM
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