Emerge, Leaders in Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Research Training

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): LESCANO, Andres G. EMERGE, LEADERS IN EMERGING DISEASES EPIDEMIOLOGY RESEARCH TRAINING 2025-2029 RENEWAL PROPOSAL Led by Andres G. (Willy) Lescano at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) and partners The renewal of this training grant application builds on the capacities previously established. An epidemiology Masters and Doctorate have been created and continue to be independently of this training grant, providing accessible educational opportunities for low and middle income country professionals. A large number of Master’s and PhDs have graduated now, and together with Peruvian scientists trained abroad, many of them serve as junior mentors of new graduate students in Peru, and have taken important leadership positions in different research organizations. A strong Peruvian CDC lead by a former trainee of our program is making important strides in partnering with different research groups and advancing the response capacities of the country. Despite such valuable progress, the growth of future leaders in emerging diseases research is still prevented by the limited funding opportunities for junior and mid-career scientists in LMICs such as Peru, and limited experience of new investigators submitting grant applications. The next five years of this proposed program will address this critical barrier with a multi-tier approach. Our proposal, entitled “Emerge, Leaders in Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Research Training”, will generate a model of a research environment micro-cosmos at UPCH working together with our broad network of international partners. First, we will offer seed, short-term grants to conduct hypothesis-driven research generating primary data via competitive requests for applications. Then, awardees will become fellows and will be mentored to execute their research under US-Peru mentoring pairs, and produce peer reviewed publications and future grant applications. Finally, research leadership training and mentoring will support fellows to apply to local and international grant opportunities for junior scientists. Three emerging diseases research methods courses directed to the Peruvian CDC staff will complement these efforts. Opportunities will be open to all applications, but will specially target graduates of the Peru Epidemiology graduate programs, former Fogarty-sponsored junior scientists and research-oriented Peruvian CDC junior staff. A fully- implemented laboratory, with materials and methods for emerging diseases ecology research and a strong partnership with the Peruvian CDC will provide the resources trainees need. Established partnerships in Peru with the Peruvian CDC, AB PRISMA and Johns Hopkins, as well as world class research universities in the US, as well as the ability to develop new collaborations will enable this strategy. More experienced fellows will also receive leadership training and corresponding responsibilities, so one of them can potentially become the PI or co-PI of the next training grant application, to bring further innovation and progress to the next stage of this already successful program. OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 03/2020 Approved Through 02/28/2023) Page Continuation Format Page