Africa Center for Biostatistical Excellence: Expanding biostatistical leadership for HIV/AIDS and TB Research

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PROJECT SUMMARY LMIC: South Africa Institution: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town Scientific Area: Biostatistics for HIV/AIDS and TB research design and methodology Africa Center for Biostatistical Excellence: expanding biostatistical leadership for HIV/AIDS and TB research This application is in response to the FOA “Fogarty HIV Research Training Program for Low- and Middle- Income Country Institutions” under the D43 grant mechanism (FOA PAR-19-283) and requests 5 years of support to expand biostatistics leadership for HIV research design and methodology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. HIV/AIDS and TB remain the highest contributors to the burden of disease in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The COVID-19 disease resulting from infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus poses a threat to the fragile healthcare system and infrastructure in SSA. In particular, COVID-19 effects on the delivery of care to people living with HIV/AIDS is likely to reverse gains in care and treatment programs achieved over decades. Data driven solutions and targeted research and evaluations demand complimentary teams of leaders, including biostatisticians. There is a huge deficit of doctoral level biostatisticians in the region. In 2017, we successfully implemented a masters’ level training program in biostatistics for HIV/AIDS research. Despite shortage in local biostatisticians with advanced training, we mobilized international collaborators to assist with teaching and student supervision. For sustainability of our training program, the natural progression is to train local future leaders in biostatistics who will continue the training initiatives and also provide research leadership to address the myriad of health problems in SSA. We propose to continue our efforts to bridge the gap in biostatistics capacity in SSA and develop research leadership at Stellenbosch University and the region at large. The specific objectives of this renewal of the training grant are to: (1) develop biostatistics leadership through a doctoral training program at Stellenbosch University; (2) continue building biostatistics capacity through a Masters’ level academic program and expand our reach using e-learning platforms; (3) consolidate the ACBE as a leader in providing professional development in biostatistics and data management to support HIV/AIDS research projects and programs within the SSA region and lead HIV/AIDS and TB research activities.