Strengthening Research Capacity in Innovative Global Health Technologies for Non-Communicable Diseases in Uganda

这一新的D43申请提出了一个题为“加强研究能力， 乌干达非传染性疾病的全球创新卫生技术”（SIGHT）。这 该计划将建立在乌干达-CWRU研究合作组织32年的广泛培训记录的基础上 （UCRC），凯斯西储大学和马凯雷雷大学之间的合作伙伴关系 非传染性疾病和病症（NCD）的负担在中低收入国家迅速增加， 收入国家（LMIC）和撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA），特别是乌干达。发展能力， 在中低收入国家进行生物医学研究对于应对这些新的医疗保健挑战是必要的， 正在取得进展。我们认为，能力建设，特别是生物医学工程（BME） 研究对于开发急需的筛查、诊断和治疗技术至关重要， 对中低收入国家的影响。缺乏建立这种能力的培训方案。 我们已经确定了三大类非传染性疾病，作为SIGHT方案的目标， 从技术创新能力建设中受益：心血管疾病、血液疾病和 慢性运动障碍这些目标领域已被确定为关键的公共卫生需求， 项目负责人和其他利益相关者。我们还确定了四个技术重点领域， 在乌干达MU的生物多样性和海洋生态系统研究专长能力建设的优先事项。它们是：生物材料和药物 交付、即时诊断、生物医学成像、数据分析和人工智能。 这些技术工具在解决高度优先的非传染性疾病医疗保健需求方面具有跨领域的潜力。 SIGHT计划的长期目标是建立和加强 乌干达学术、公共、私人和非政府组织机构开展生物医学工程的能力 研究，培养生物医学工程师达到博士水平，并发展当地的生物医学工程行业， 当地的需求。SIGHT旨在通过以下方式为这一目标做出贡献： 目标1：在BME博士学位中培训乌干达学生CWRU的项目（建议项目期内6个） 目标2：支持硕士研究项目学生在MU在BME相邻领域（约。每年10次）。 目标3：为MU研究人员提供机会，以提高他们的研究经验和专业知识。 SIGHT方案的预期成果包括： ·博士研究人员准备在乌干达的研究机构填补教师和研究职位。 ·M.S.准备从事研究工作或攻读博士学位的毕业生。训练 MU研究人员谁是更好地准备进行高质量的BME研究。 ● BME与CWRU和MU的临床研究人员之间建立了强大的研究合作网络。 * 增加研究产出，包括在同行评审的期刊上发表文章和提出赠款建议。

This new D43 application proposes a training program entitled “Strengthening Research Capacity in Innovative Global Health Technologies for Non-Communicable Diseases in Uganda” (SIGHT). This program will build on the extensive 32-year training record of the Uganda-CWRU Research Collaboration (UCRC), a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and Makerere University The burden of non-communicable diseases and disorders (NCD) is growing rapidly in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC) and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Uganda particularly. Developing capacity for biomedical research in LMICs is necessary for managing these new healthcare challenges, and encouraging progress is being made. We assert that building capacity in particular for biomedical engineering (BME) research is critical to development of much-needed screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic technology relevant to the context of LMICs. Training programs to build this capacity are lacking. We have identified three broad categories of NCDs to target in the SIGHT program that will particularly benefit from building capacity for technology innovation: cardiovascular disease, blood disorders, and chronic movement disorders. These target areas have been identified as critical public health needs by program leaders and other stakeholders. We have also identified four areas of technology focus as highest priorities for building capacity in BME research expertise at MU in Uganda. These are: biomaterials and drug delivery, point-of-care diagnostics, biomedical imaging, and data analytics and artificial intelligence. These technology tools are cross-cutting in their potential to address high-priority NCD healthcare needs. The SIGHT program has been designed with the long-term goal of building and strengthening the capacity of academic, public, private, and NGO institutions in Uganda to conduct biomedical engineering research, train biomedical engineers up to a PhD level and grow a local biomedical engineering industry based on local needs. SIGHT aims to contribute to this goal by: Aim 1: Training Ugandan students in the BME Ph.D. program at CWRU (6 within the proposed project period) Aim 2: Supporting research projects for M.S. students at MU in BME-adjacent fields (approx. 10 per year). Aim 3: Providing opportunities for MU investigators to enhance their research experience and expertise. Expected outcomes of the SIGHT program include: ● Ph.D. researchers prepared to fill faculty and research positions at research institutions in Uganda. ● M.S. graduates who are prepared to fill research positions or go on to Ph.D. training. ● MU investigators who are better prepared to carry out high quality BME research. ● A robust network of research collaborations between BME and clinical investigators at CWRU and MU. ● Increased research output, including publications in peer reviewed journals and grant proposals.