Mali-Guinea Emerging Infectious Disease Research Training Program (Mali-Guinea EID-RTP)

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ABSTRACT The recent epidemics of Ebola in West Africa and the current COVID-19 pandemic highlight the need for a critical mass of well-trained scientists and public health research professionals capable of studying and responding appropriately, and a in timely manner, to emerging infectious diseases (EID) threats. This competitive new application supports a new training program on EIDs in Mali and Guinea. This will build upon and expand the scope of the existing FIC/NIH D43 training program based in the Department of Public Health at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB) and leverage on existing NIAID collaborative research programs in the two countries. The existing D43 training program has a focus on malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), but does not include training and other capacity-building in surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, and control of viral pathogens such as Ebola Virus Disease, COVID-19 and Lassa Fever. With maturation of our training and research on malaria and NTDs, and an increased supply of highly qualified mentors and trainees in Mali, we propose an increased emphasis on training on EIDs in Mali and Guinea and mentoring by Malian, Guinean and US researchers. This training program will provide a curriculum for training doctoral and master’s students in advanced field epidemiology and laboratory practices, as well as non-degree certifications (professional skill enhancement) in translational clinical research, public health emergency management and genomic surveillance of emerging infectious pathogens, preparing Guinea and Mali to better handle potential future epidemics. This program is a south-south collaboration effort between Guinea and Mali, supported by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (JHSPH), to have researchers from both sides collaborate more closely on these cross-border diseases for more coordinated and efficient public health responses. The training program will support six doctoral students and 15 master’s students. Dissertation of Doctoral and Master thesis research will include research questions related or applicable to Ebola and other EIDs. Supported students will take courses from, and be mentored by, faculty from the University of Conakry, USTTB, and JHSPH. Selected students will have the opportunity to take online courses at JHSPH that are not offered at the University of Conakry or USTTB. The program will also provide faculty enrichment through training and coursework for eight faculty members, which may include trainings or online coursework at JHSPH and will provide laboratory training for five research scientists (students or faculty). Short courses will also be offered twice per year, training 120 public health professionals and young scientists in topics related to the control of EIDs. This support will greatly enhance capacity in Guinea and Mali to respond to and control impending outbreaks of EIDs in their own countries, and in the West African region.