Luna Belza Garcia
Class of 2026Cheltenham, n/a
About
Hi! My name is Luna Belza Garcia and I am currently a first year IB student at Cheltenham Ladies' College, UK. I take higher level Mathematics AA, Biology and Chemistry, standard level English Literature, Economics and French B. I am also an aspiring medical student. Avian influenza, the H5N1 strain in particular, represents a critical intersection of biology, global economics, and public health. Being a highly pathogenic virus with strong zoonotic potential, H5N1 poses not only a serious biological threat, due to its capacity to mutate rapidly and allow for human transmission, but also major economic burden, especially in low and middle income countries, where agriculture and poultry production are crucial to livelihoods and food security in the region. This topic is especially meaningful to me as it is also the focus of my IB Extended Essay (EE). Although my EE has not yet been completed, I have done enough research into the topic to be able to say with certainty that I would thoroughly enjoy a deeper dive into the biological, economic, and medical aspects. However, through my exploration so far, I have developed a deep interest in how diseases like H5N1 affect societies, not just through infection, but also through disruption of economies, global trade, and health. Polygence offers me the perfect opportunity to expand on this foundation, and take my research to a more advanced, interdisciplinary level.Projects
- "Divergent Paths to Containment: Comparing H5N1 Response Strategies in Vietnam and Thailand" with mentor Samir (Oct. 18, 2025)
Luna's Symposium Presentation
Project Portfolio
Divergent Paths to Containment: Comparing H5N1 Response Strategies in Vietnam and Thailand
Started June 27, 2025
Abstract or project description
Avian influenza A (H5N1) has imposed major public health and economic burdens since its emergence in Asia, yet national responses have varied widely. This study compares Vietnam and Thailand’s divergent containment strategies during the 2004–2005 outbreaks to examine how structural, economic, and political factors shaped outcomes. Vietnam adopted mass poultry vaccination combined with movement restrictions, reflecting its smallholder-dominated sector and priority on domestic food security. Thailand, by contrast, rejected vaccination in order to preserve export market access, instead relying on aggressive culling, intensive surveillance, and public education. Analysis of epidemiological data, poultry population trends, and policy measures demonstrates that Vietnam’s approach reduced visible outbreaks and supported rural livelihoods but sustained low-level virus circulation, while Thailand’s strategy was more disruptive initially yet eliminated reported human cases after 2005 and restored trade credibility. These findings show that H5N1 containment strategies are not universally transferable but depend on local realities, including industry structure, trade dependencies, governance capacity, and international engagement. Lessons from these cases underscore the importance of tailoring preparedness plans to national contexts as H5N1 and related zoonoses continue to circulate globally.