Research Capacity
The collaboration’s initiatives have expanded into more disciplines including epidemiology, biomedical sciences, clinical trials, nursing, anthropology, bioethics, biomedical engineering, cancer, cardiovascular disease and Cancer training. Training has been key for the Collaboration with former trainees now in leadership positions in Uganda ministries, universities and NGOs. The collaboration is proud to have contributed to Uganda’s emergence as a leader in biomedical research, innovation and training.
Research
- 1988 – first U.S. NIH grant awarded – International Collaboration for AIDS Research (ICAR) – studied HIV natural history, impact on paediatric growth and neurodevelopment, social impact of risk behaviour’s, HIV-TB, and HIV malignancy; TB and HIV-TB research became a major focus of research by the Collaboration
- Initiated key research and intervention studies to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV
- 1st HIV/AIDS vaccine clinical trial conducted in Africa (1997-2000).
- Completed over 50 clinical studies (clinical trials, epidemiologic studies, multidisciplinary observational studies) in tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS – the largest research focus of the Collaboration
- Care provided to 25,000+ adults and children in the Collaboration’s HIV and TB prevention and treatment studies.
- Pivotal study conducted demonstrating the benefits of preventive therapy against TB in HIV-infected adults
- Research in social sciences and ethics of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
- 1st HIV/AIDS international clinical trial conducted through the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) to determine third line antiretroviral (ARV) drug recommendations through genotyping
- Expansion into non-communicable diseases with prevention and treatment in rheumatic heart disease prevention and head & neck cancers, as well as research and training in biomedical engineering
- Expansion into the impact of malnutrition on respiratory diseases, including TB, in newborns and infants
- 425+ peer-reviewed collaborative publications and 400+ scientific abstracts
Training
Training:
- 1988 – first U.S. Fogarty International Center training grant awarded, with continued funding since for training in public health, nursing, bioethics, social and biomedical sciences, and biomedical engineering
- Since 1988, 135+ students trained through Fogarty grants for degrees and short-term technical training; former students have leadership positions in the Ministry of Health, Makerere University, and major NGOs; over 50 of these trainees are CWRU alumni.
Capacity Building
Capacity Building:
- Successful international partnership for over 36 years in public health, clinical and biomedical research, training, and capacity building
- 100+ awards from NIH, CDC, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Fogarty International Center, Medtronic Foundation, TB Alliance and additional foundation and private sponsors
- $250,000,000+ in funding for research and training since 1988
- State-of-the-art HIV virology, immunology and M. tuberculosis microbiology laboratories established at Makerere University and the Joint Clinical Research Centre
- Developed capacity for grants administration, human resources and financial management in Uganda
- Developed capacity for large scale clinical trials, epidemiological studies and laboratory-intensive translational studies in infectious diseases
- Helped Makerere University’s School of Medicine, Mulago Hospital, the Ugandan National TB and Leprosy Programme and the Joint Clinical Research Centre in Kampala regain leadership in sub-Saharan Africa for clinical, public health and biomedical research in HIV and TB
Community Engagement
The collaboration has initiated numerous community engagement initiatives to foster trust, uphold ethical practices and align research efforts with the community needs. By involving the community, the collaboration promotes mutual understanding, enhances study relevance and ensures successful implementation of research findings to improve health outcomes and address local challenges effectively. (Photos of community engagement)