UNZA-Vanderbilt Training Partnership for HIV-NCD Research (UVP-2)

University Of Zambia, Lusaka

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

As access to antiretroviral therapy for HIV has expanded in sub-Saharan Africa, millions of persons with HIV are surviving for decades on treatment, but they are developing chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) complications that require new science and new directions in prevention, detection, and treatment. Recogniz- ing that investigation and control of NCDs can be most effectively undertaken by highly trained local investiga- tors, the University of Zambia (UNZA)-Vanderbilt Partnership for HIV Nutrition Research Training (UVP-1) has supported PhD training for 11 Zambian scientists pursuing a wide range of HIV-NCD research and has helped strengthen the UNZA PhD program and the culture of mentorship at UNZA. We are now transitioning the UNZA-Vanderbilt Training Partnership for HIV-NCD Research (UVP-2) to UNZA as the prime institution. Our goals are to build UNZA’s research capacity by continuing our “sand- wich” model of PhD training and by using a similar model to develop a postdoctoral training program, with a view to creating a pipeline of independent UNZA scientists. We will also introduce new research training mechanisms and support structures at UNZA to ensure sustainability. Specifically, we will: 1. Train five (5) UNZA PhD students and four (4) UNZA postdoctoral scientists in advanced basic, clini- cal/translational, epidemiologic, and implementation sciences to address the complications and comorbidi- ties most relevant to lifelong HIV management in sub-Saharan Africa This aim focuses on training individuals. Both training programs will use our very successful “sandwich” for- mat with Africa- and U.S.-based components. Postdoctoral training is itself innovative for UNZA, and we will leverage Vanderbilt’s investments in postdoctoral research career development and intensive grant writing training through the Vanderbilt’s very successful Institute for Research Development and Ethics (VIRDE). 2. Strengthen UNZA’s capacity to train researchers, attract research funding, and generate high-impact research outputs across a broad range of HIV-NCD investigations This aim focuses on UNZA’s research training capacity. UVP-2 will support UNZA’s new postdoctoral fel- lowship mechanism by replicating key Vanderbilt career development resources at UNZA, principally those associated with successful grant applications, and three-month sabbaticals for four (4) UNZA Visiting Faculty Scholars at Vanderbilt, focused on developing collaborations and submitting grant applications. 3. Ensure and document UVP’s long-term impact under experienced UNZA leadership This aim focuses on program impact, which we will evaluate by tracking careers, grants, publications, re- search teams, and discoveries. The UNZA-Vanderbilt Partnership has proven highly efficient in catalyzing re- search capacity at UNZA. The addition of the new postdoctoral fellowship and the formation of infrastructure to increase UNZA’s grant support will usher in a new era of research growth and impact.