Umaiya Rajput founded this initiative in 2019. She took a Human Parasitology class and learned about the prevalence of diseases and parasites worldwide. Despite its widespread and impactful effects, especially in tropical areas, this problem was neglected by mainstream media. Umaiya believed that human parasitology deserved attention; therefore, that fall at Rutgers Enactus, a new initiative emerged: "Parasite Disease."

 

Even though Umaiya is now graduated, passion and drive have not left this project. Today, "Parasite Disease" is run by a team of passionate college students from all fields of study. We have networked with multiple industry professionals knowledgeable in the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and a person from the World Health Organization (WHO) to gain more insight into parasitology. They have also researched dozens of NTDs and regions affected by them, such as Ghana, the Philippines, India, and Japan. 

 

In the fall of 2021, the team began focusing on areas in Western Africa with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis. After building a Rutgers-based connection, the project centered its focus on Senegal and began building a study abroad program to travel to Senegal annually.

 

In Spring 2022, the team began its first steps toward the reality of the "Parasite Disease" initiative. The initiative changed its name to the Collaborative Rutgers Initiative for Schistosomiasis Prevention (CRISP) and plans to travel to Senegal in the Summer of 2022.