KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 4, 2025

Kennesaw State University biology student Shifa Jiwani has spent hundreds of hours on a research project that explores how bacteria can synthesize arsenic-containing antibiotics to kill neighboring competitors.

Her Sophomore Scholars project, under the direction of molecular and cellular biology associate professor Masafumi Yoshinaga, sees the use potential of arsenic as a solution to an alarming global public health crisis. One report, published in general medical journal The Lancet, estimates that antimicrobial resistance will cause nearly 2 million deaths a year by 2050, with another 8 million deaths from illnesses associated with resistance.

“Arsenic is usually very toxic to human cells, but in this case, we are taking the positive approach to it,” said Jiwani, who is in the KSU Journey Honors College. Her concentration is in human health.

Kennesaw State is helping Jiwani along a path toward becoming a neurologist, an interdisciplinary field that combines two of her interests — biology and psychology. She developed a passion for health care after witnessing the lack of access to proper medical care in rural communities in India, her native country.

“Seeing these challenges firsthand has strengthened my determination to work toward improving healthcare accessibility,” Jiwani said.

For five to 10 hours a week, she enters the microbiology lab, slipping on protective gear, a coat, gloves and glasses, and begins to follow protocols for that day’s work on her laptop. Lately, she has been using a liquid chromatography system, specialized equipment that allows her to extract and purify the antibiotic from Escherichia coli.

Yoshinaga, who has been researching this benefit of arsenic for more than a decade, said E. coli is a popular bacterial strain that can be manipulated. The project involves putting a synthesized gene set in E. coli so that it can obtain the ability to produce the novel arsenic-containing antibiotic.

“Shifa is a very busy student, taking on more responsibility in the project, but also external activity,” he said. “She always wants to engage more with research, which is really great.”

Jiwani has followed Yoshinaga’s project since becoming a participant in the First-Year Scholars Program, electing to continue as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program, an intensive full-time routine. In addition to the spring and fall Symposium of Student Scholars at KSU, she has also presented at the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference and will soon present her work at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research, a competitive process.

Amid a full-time class schedule and lab activity, Jiwani manages to facilitate group study sessions as a supplemental instruction leader for an introductory psychology course and works as a mentor coordinator for the Pre-Health Leadership Council. The organization aims to empower future health care professionals through mentorship opportunities with students further along in their programs at KSU.

“By connecting mentees to mentors, PHLC helps us become more competitive when applying to medical school,” she said.

Jiwani is also in the Georgia Rotary Student Program, a merit-based scholarship program awarded to international students. Originally from Hyderabad, Telangana, India, Jiwani’s first year at KSU was her first time in the United States.

“I’m really proud of myself because I took that one step forward, coming to the U.S. from India,” she said. “It wasn’t easy, of course. Initially I had a hard time with the culture and at college. Everything was new and drastic. But I was able to adapt, and now, I think I’m doing pretty well.”

A distinguished student in the GRSP, Jiwani was awarded the Barbara M. and Donald L. Thomas Peace Award, which recognizes those who exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” Michelle Miles, the director of KSU’s Office of National and International Scholarships and Fellowships, helped Jiwani in the application process for the award.

“Shifa’s intellectual acumen and determination are exceptional,” said Miles, who holds a doctoral degree in English. “She is an excellent example of the potential KSU students have to excel on a regional, national, and, indeed, an international stage.”

Miles encourages other KSU students and alumni to contact the ONISF to learn more about the many opportunities available.

According to an Instagram post, Jiwani was chosen for the award because of her life-saving research at KSU and her volunteer work in healthcare. She started as a medical assistant at Mosaic Health Center, a Clarkston-based clinic that serves underserved and uninsured people, particularly refugees. Now, she volunteers as a scribe.

“In the long term, I want to do something for them,” she said. “I want to improve health care access for the underserved.”

— Story by Amber Perry

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.