As a child, Carleton A. Allen used to crawl on his bed to read books about atoms, cells and outer space.
Physicians apply research to save people's lives.
He took his first step as a researcher last month when the National Medical Fellowship awarded him a grant to study a virus that causes respiratory illness in children and infants. Fellowship program officials chose 26 African-American and Hispanic students from universities like Harvard, Yale and UCLA to conduct their own research. Medical professionals say there is a need to diversify the physician work force across the nation. At the same time, Hispanics and African-Americans continue to suffer disproportionate rates of sickness, according to the U.S. Census. The airborne virus enters through the nose and makes its way to the lungs.