The Observer, November 3, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 9
Erickson combines passions for swimming, research
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Students looking for inspiration for a meaningful collegiate experience should contact Case senior John Erickson right away.
"We are hoping to become the only research lab in North America to grow the most unique species of malaria in hopes of testing drug effectiveness against it," he said recently to describe the goal of his research efforts at Case.
Statements like that are one illustration of why Erickson is an exemplary student, athlete, and researcher. In his four years at Case, he has carried a 4.0 GPA while working towards his degree in biology, after which he wants to apply to medical school. Just being a physician, however, is not enough to satisfy this talented and intelligent Spartan.
Erickson hopes to get into a program where he can pursue both an M.D. and a Ph.D so that although he will be able to practice, he can further his research in hopes of finding breakthrough cures and methods. His focus and drive in that world is the study of infectious diseases.
Since malaria is a topic that has always interested him, Erickson was referred to Peter Zimmerman, who specializes in malaria research. As an ex-swimmer at Kenyon, Zimmerman took the younger student-athlete under his wing, and their team of researchers has flourished in their work. Simply put, they test the effectiveness of drugs on the four different species of malaria, although there is an emphasis on cultivating the rarest of forms.
The care that Erickson puts into his research has helped develop an increased sensitivity for the disease overall, and last year he organized the Case Swim for Malaria. As an international program out of England, the event attempts to get over one million people swimming across the world on the same day, all to raise money for bed netting.
The disease is spread mostly through mosquitoes, and many children suffer from not having protection at night, especially in Africa, so the nets act as a simple layer of protection. Last year, Case efforts collaborated with Wooster and raised enough money for almost 400 nets. This year Erickson hopes to expand Swim for Malaria to the conference meet held at Case, where eight schools could potentially participate.
All of his academic, scientific, and athletic work does not go for naught, as last year Erickson was honored with a Goldwater Scholarship, a prestigious national award for outstanding individuals in the fields of science and math. Each institution of higher education can only nominate four candidates, and John's research essay, when coupled with his academic success, spelled a victory.
While handling the regimen of work, school, and swimming, Erickson has become one of the strongest swimmers for Case. Last season Erickson set multiple records for the men's swim team, and hopes to continue his progress as an athlete as a senior. He holds Case's marks for the 50-yard freestyle and the 200-yard medley relay, but wants to improve his individual times for this year.
"I want to cut down a half-second and make it to nationals, and that would automatically qualify me as an All-American," Erickson said.
Also, as a team captain he wants the team's success to grow upon last year's solid finish. He feels that there could be a team qualifier for nationals in one of the relays, which did not happen in the 2005-2006 season, and that in a nationally strong conference, the Spartans could finish as high as second.
"I hold a couple records right now, but with the young talent on the team, I don't think they will last very long," Erickson said.
Even if his records fall, they will certainly not be the last time that Erickson has an impact on swimming, Case, or the global medical community.
