Women and HIV: Translation of Research into Practice; Bridging Early-Stage Researchers in Kenya to Independent Careers in HIV Research

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Bridging Early-Stage Researchers in Kenya to Independent Careers in HIV Research Abstract The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and University of Washington (UW) program entitled, Women and HIV: Translation of Research into Practice (WHIV) is requesting an administrative supplement to bridge the critical gap for independent researchers beginning their careers. The supplement will provide post-doctoral funding for two researchers in Kenya who have or will have recently completed their PhDs. This supplement will contribute to the overall goals of the parent grant and will continue to build research capacity to prevent new HIV infections among women and adolescent girls in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa and optimize care and treatment for this high-risk, vulnerable population. To reduce incident infections and ensure long, healthy lives for persons living with HIV, it is necessary to conduct locally relevant research that addresses the know-do gap and informs national guidelines, clinical practice, and policy. The WHIV training program’s primary goal is to build capacity at KEMRI and the Kenya Ministry of Health (MOH) in implementation science focused on HIV, women, and adolescents, while creating bridges to communities of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), local health officials, and other organizations responsible for healthcare practice and service delivery. For this supplement we have solicited pre-applications from early-stage investigators at KEMRI and affiliated institutions in Kenya. Among 8 applications, 4 met criteria and will be submitting full applications to compete for a $35,000 award to support a one-year project. The WHIV Training Advisory Committee and WHIV leadership team will select two proposals for funding based on the candidate’s likelihood for success as an independent researcher and the project’s impact on HIV prevention and care among women and AGYW in Kenya and research capacity building at KEMRI and MOH. KEMRI’s longstanding commitment to conducting research that informs service delivery and improves national health outcomes in Kenya provides a strong foundation for this supplement application, which will be led by Dr. Elizabeth Bukusi. Dr. Bukusi is a Senior Principal Clinical Research Scientist at KEMRI who trained as an obstetrician-gynecologist and epidemiologist, earning her MPH and PhD at UW. She is a multiple PI on the parent training program with Dr. Farquhar, UW Professor of Global Health, Medicine, and Epidemiology and Interim Chair of the UW Department of Global Health. Using UW and KEMRI’s pool of experienced mentors and well-established approaches to training, this program will establish greatly needed implementation science research capacity at KEMRI and MOH and contribute to changing the face of the HIV epidemic in Kenya.