John Fujita is in his fourth year at the University of Hawaii, Manoa and will be receiving a Bachelorā€™s of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelorā€™s of Arts in Biology in the fall of 2005. He is planning to apply to John A. Burns School of Medicine to pursue an M.D. Some of his hobbies are basketball, cards, video games, and surfing.

Home Island:Ā Oahu
InstitutionĀ when accepted: University of Hawaii at Manoa

Akamai Project:Ā Global GIS model on Avian Influenza in Humans
ProjectĀ Site:Ā The Pacific Disaster Center
Mentor:Ā Mike Napier

Project Abstract:

Avian Influenza is a virus among birds that poses a great threat to humans. Experts believe that when this virus becomes anthroponotic (human to human transmittable), it may infect 20-50% of the total human population and result in 2-50 million deaths. The goal of this project is to create a solid knowledge base and to facilitate the development of a collaborative real-time geospatial model to identify geographic areas that may be susceptible to future AI outbreaks. Human case study data will be analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, a computer-based tool that is commonly used for mapping and interpreting data. Most of the documented human and animal case studies available in the public domain (online) have been collected. A preliminary model has been constructed using human and animal case study and data sheets such as: population density, poultry density, swine density, major wetlands, migratory routes of key reservoir species and geospatial data. The collaboration of various international agencies may be needed for a project of this magnitude. This is an ongoing project that will provide insight into the transitory mechanisms of this disease.