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

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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.