COVID-19 interventions and research projects are being developed at unprecedented speed. Some of our ISGlobal alumni have the opportunity to show their passion for global health by participating in the response. We asked two of them to share their experiences.

I am currently participating in the project SEROCOV1 with ISGlobal and the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona. The main aim of this research, led by Alberto García-Basteiro, is to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among health care workers at Hospital Clínic. We are currently at the first stage of recruitment and initial testing of volunteers, who have been randomly selected from among all health care workers at Hospital Clínic.

I am currently participating in the project SEROCOV1 with ISGlobal and the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona. The main aim of this research is to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among health care workers at Hospital Clínic

I have always felt excited by questions that require imagination and a great deal of effort to be answered. My scientific mind tells me that being confronted by a new virus can open the door to curiosity and the will to know more. Looking more deeply, however, I realize that what I bring home with me from this experience is something completely different. 

I am touched by the courage and hard work of the health care workers that I meet at the hospital. Cleaning staff, psychologists, computer technicians, nurses, cooks, pharmacists, administrative staff, microbiologists, plumbers… oh, and doctors. They come to contribute to our study after 24-hour shifts, night work, people who are quarantined or sick, workers who are giving their best for the hospital. I feel huge gratitude for meeting them and seeing their passion. 

They told me that they do not want to be heroes; but here they are, participating in a research study with no more reward than helping us – all of us – to create knowledge. Their stories are silent, invisible, unknown.

There are many of these stories, all incredible. And these stories are happening when others are at home, with their own exceptional stories being created inside their walls. Being able to witness this brings me back to my human mind, which tells me how lucky I am to belong to this society full of individuals willing to collaborate and learn together.

Photos: ISGlobal and Hospital Clínic staff from the SEROCOV1 project