This past year has been exceptionally eventful for Fulbright Scholar Talat Roome, PhD, of Pakistan. Through the Fulbright Program, which aims to promote mutual understanding between people of the United States and those of 155 other countries, she has had the opportunity to obtain a first-hand "American experience" to share with fellow Pakistanis upon her return…and study under one of her research's most influential scientists, Martha Cathcart, PhD, of Cell Biology in the Lerner Research Institute.
With a background in cellular and molecular therapeutic targets of acute inflammatory disorders from the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Karachi, where she was awarded her PhD in 2008, Dr. Roome pursued her postdoctoral fellowship in a rather unique way. Admiring the premise of the Fulbright Program and encouraged by her thesis advisor, she set her sights on becoming a "Fulbrighter". As a first step, she sent her thesis summary to Dr. Cathcart, who agreed to write an invitation letter for her application. Dr. Roome also prepared a research proposal describing a detailed plan for her year's studies, "Regulatory role of iPLA2β and cPLA2α on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 mediated monocyte chemotaxis: a potential target for anti-inflammatory strategy." Upon review of her application, she was invited to interview with the Fulbright Commission based in Islamabad, a 2-hour trip from Karachi by plane.
Soon afterward, Dr. Roome joined the prestigious ranks of Fulbright Scholars, selected based on academic merit and leadership potential. Notably, since the Fulbright Program began in 1946, there have been ~300,000 Fulbright Scholars, 39 of whom became Nobel Laureates. For 2009-2010, Dr. Roome was one of 18 Fulbright Scholars worldwide to pursue studies in Ohio, and the only one participating via the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.
Dr. Roome's journey in Cleveland began by being picked up from the airport on Saturday, November 27, 2009, by Dr. Cathcart herself. Research filled the conversation from then on, though Dr. Roome concedes she was encouraged to take time off — Sunday — to unpack and recuperate from traveling. Dr. Roome jests, "I'm returning to Pakistan on November 25, 2010, and I suspect I will be working until morning of!" But that all suits Dr. Roome just fine — "That's how I like to work."
Her research has benefited enormously through this experience: "I learned lots of techniques as I continued my studies in signal transduction pathways, particularly lipid signaling pathways, and monocyte/macrophage migration in translational research." She credits the Cathcart lab for a great atmosphere, "They're a real working group, with a lab set-up that encourages discussion and idea exchange." Dr. Roome expresses her desire to come back someday to learn even more. But for now, she must return to Pakistan and fulfill the other part of her mission.
Recognizing the integral responsibility of Fulbrighters to establish mutual understanding between countries, Dr. Roome aims to participate on the Pakistani Youth Council and communicate what she has learned through her studies here and about culture in the United States. She now recognizes perceptions of both countries that are not completely accurate. By conveying the United States she has come to know, she hopes to help dispel some rumors she recalls from back home. Likewise, she wishes to let people of the United States know that "Pakistanis are peaceful, fun-loving, liberal-minded people…and Pakistani women are encouraged to get an education, go to universities, and establish careers in art, music, banking, business, engineering, medicine, research,…" Based on her experience working at the Lerner Research Institute and living nearby, Dr. Roome concludes, "I have visited many different countries and have found Americans to be the most friendly — they truly embrace different cultures."
Blending cultural education and scientific research, the Fulbright Program has provided Dr. Roome with an unforgettable experience and opportunity to serve, which, in her words "would not have been possible without Dr. Cathcart's guidance and support." She plans to continue her research career, focusing on inflammation and auto-immune diseases, to "extend what I have learned here and make Dr. Cathcart proud."