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In 2009, Shanice Cheatham, who received her bachelor’s degree from ����ɫ��ҹ University in 2013 and is pursuing a graduate degree in environmental health sciences at ����ɫ��ҹ, was told that her father had a 10-percent chance of living after being infected with MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria resistant to antibiotics used to treat general staph infections, according to the Mayo Clinic website.

Cheatham’s father became infected when a nurse touched his IV injection site with MRSA-contaminated hands. Prior to starting his IV, the nurse dropped a needle on the ground. She replaced the soiled needle but failed to wash her hands, Cheatham explains.

Cheatham, who studied molecular and cellular biology as an undergraduate at ����ɫ��ҹ, initially wanted to become an orthopedic surgeon. However, her father’s illness inspired her to create Endemic Solutions, a biotechnology company focused on solutions to fight infectious disease. The company is a client of LaunchNET ����ɫ��ҹ, which helps ����ɫ��ҹ students, employees and alumni transform their ideas into thriving business, successful projects or innovative collaborations.

Cheatham’s father spent nine months recovering in the hospital as a result of the nurse’s negligence.

“That event kind of changed the course of my life,” she says.

Finding Her Career Path

The young entrepreneur says her background in the medical field also influenced her career path. In the past, she worked as a medical assistant and a nursing home admissions director. Cheatham explains she has seen a lack of infectious control protocols and high rate of infections in numerous healthcare facilities.

After seeing the high infection rates in the U.S., she knew underdeveloped countries required her attention. Cheatham says more than 60,000 health care facilities worldwide do not have anywhere to wash their hands due to inadequate water systems.

“Our vision is aimed at prevention, diagnostics and treatment of infectious diseases with the highest quality products and services, both at home and abroad,” Cheatham says.

Endemic Solutions is currently in the development phases for its Endemic Filtration Portable Handwashing System. Healthcare professionals treating patients in countries with undeveloped water sources can use the backpack-style filtration system. Cheatham says her company is also researching marketing strategies to build strong awareness and demand for preventing the spread of infectious disease.

Getting Attention and Giving Thanks

Cheatham’s business venture has already been awarded with a 2015 ����ɫ��ҹ Elevator Pitch Competition award, sponsored by LaunchNET ����ɫ��ҹ. She also was recognized this past January as a ProtoTech: PITCH finalist, a competition held by The Incubator at MAGNET in Cleveland.  

She credits ����ɫ��ҹ’s College of Public Health and LaunchNET ����ɫ��ҹ with her continued success. Cheatham specifically acknowledges Mark James, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, for introducing her to the college, and Tara Smith, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology, for giving her the opportunity to study MRSA in Smith’s lab. 

“����ɫ��ҹ has opened so many doors for me,” she explains. “If I hadn’t chosen this school, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am who I am because of my science professors.”

Cheatham eventually plans to establish a facility that focuses on diagnosing, preventing and monitoring infectious disease.

“I want to encourage others that it’s not always about the money,” she says. “It’s about the cause you believe in. At the end of the day, if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”

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