Volunteering for BRF

Blastocystis News

April 27, 2009 - Denmark's Staatens Serum Institute published study on Blastocystis infection in Denmark, identifying association with IBS, and noting presence of inflammatory bowel disease in patients.

March 27, 2009 - Pasteur Institute publishes study on Blastocystis infection in France (BRF co-authored study)

February 26, 2009 - Read BRF's letter in Lancet Infectious Diseases, "Emerging infectious diseases are not always obvious."

February 18, 2009 - Dr. Charles H. Zierdt, 30+ year veteran of the NIH, joins BRF Board of Directors

January 15, 2009 - Notes from Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illness meeting, April, 2008. BRF's testimony is noted on page 19 (search for Blastocystis).

November 17, 2008 - Corvallis Gazette Times publishes article on impact of long-term Blastocystis infection on local family.

More Items (coming soon)

Volunteering for BRF

Most of BRF's work is done by volunteers. We work with a network of volunteer scientists, physicians, researchers and patients. Since our incorporation, over 100 people have helped BRF with our efforts.

As a volunteer, you'll be working with some of the best minds in infectious disease research in the world. You'll be part of a international scientific effort that will change the way we address infectious diseases today, and for decades to come.

We're pioneering leading edge technologies in infectious disease work, like phylogenetic study of enteric organisms and geo-mapping of research results. A few volunteer opportunities are listed below:

PHP Script authoring and JAVA Application authoring - be part of BRF's information technology effort. We're developing leading edge tools to perform statistical analysis of medical studies and funding practices. Our tools will help agencies develop sound policies to address all diseases, not just blastocystosis.
Physicians: We need physicians in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe to participate in studies of patients with unexplained chronic illness characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, skin rashes, and headaches.
Scientists, Pathologists, Microbiologists, Graduate Students: Be the first one in your organization to try our new immuno-fluorescent stain. Do cutting edge research in the genetics of Blastocystis. Test food and water samples for Blastocystis. We'll get you supplies, and show you how.
Anyone: How does our web site look? What would you like to see on it? Is their an eror or misspellng? Can you find the three mistakes in this paragraph? Let us know.
Technical writers: We need experienced technical writers who are fluent in English to review papers, help with press releases, and proofread our web site.
Layout artists: Help design BRF's mailings!
Gulf War Veterans: Can you organize 20 or 30 veterans with unexplained illness, and a physician to participate in a study?
US Citizens: Write your Representative.
Anyone: If you have an idea for an activity, please let us know.