TEDxYouth@Pittsburgh - Michelle Lee - MRSA

"As an athlete, I was stunned when I learned about tragic deaths of otherwise healthy high school athletes in the U.S. from MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infections in 2007. Since then, the media reports of MRSA in the community have only been increasing; it used to only affect hospitalized elderly patients, but now it is spreading to healthy young people, pets, and poultry. In fact, searching "MRSA" in Google yields an astounding 11 million results! MRSA does not respond to standard beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporins, and using inappropriate antibiotics could worsen antibiotic resistance. Since this infection usually spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact, athletes are at a particularly high-risk. If it is detected early and treated appropriately, it usually does not cause complications. But if treatment is delayed or improper, infected persons can have complications including worsening of infection, spread to other athletes and athletic equipment and facilities, and even death. Thus, it would be very important to inform and educate the public."

Michelle S. Lee, a senior at North Allegheny Senior High School, has been conducting research on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for the past four years at the University of Pittsburgh. After learning that otherwise healthy high school athletes had died from MRSA, she investigated the prevention of this infection and won 1st Place and a $50,000 scholarship at the National Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition. Michelle is also an international award-winning musician who has performed as a piano soloist at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the United Nations, a Gold Medalist in the U.S. Congressional Award for community service, and a competitive rower.

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