News & updates
April 06 Issue 38
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Happy new month! Welcome to another edition of the CARTA monthly updates. Read on to keep abreast with what is new. |
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Board of Management (BoM) Meeting |
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CARTA held its 23rd Board of Management meeting on March 1, 2021. The deliberations of the meeting included the performance of the program since September 2020, the presentation of the revised calendar of events and the digitization projects. The board also discussed the transition to blended learning space, financial reports, and a proposal on performance appraisal. |
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An extra CARTA partners forum was held on March 11, 2021, where the partners deliberated on ways to optimize the CARTA Program's performance under the new normal. During the forum, the partners reflected on adapting to the new normal, the status of the pandemic in Africa, and the CARTA priority areas amidst the pandemic. The partners also discussed digitization projects, CARTA’s transition to blended learning space, experiences with online Joint Advance Seminars 2 and 3 sessions, and institutional engagements with social media. The partners further considered enhanced engagements between focal persons and CARTA fellows and graduates.
“These partners' meetings are like a chamber of reflections. Every few months, we come together to ask how much better we can [and must] get to fulfill the mission of capacity development for health research in Africa.”- Fredros Okumu, Ifakara Health Institute.
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CARTA Workshop offers Supervisors Opportunity to Reflect on their Capacity |
A one-day virtual workshop for Cohort 10 fellows’ supervisors took place on March 25, 2021, under the facilitation of the University of the Witwatersrand. The workshop, whose aim was to strengthen supervision capacity, was attended by 25 supervisors drawn from the CARTA partner institutions.
The workshop allowed the participants to reflect and engage holistically with the process and link their personal experiences to the learning and supervisory processes. We asked the session facilitator, Rajohane Matshedisho from the University of the Witwatersrand, to tell us more about how the workshop went.
"We met the goals of teasing out our notions and approaches to supervision, understanding the global supervision context, discussion barriers, and enhancement to supervision, says Rajohane.
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Joint Advanced Seminar 2 Clinics |
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The JAS 2 online clinics organized by the University of the Witwatersrand took place from March 15-29. The aim of these support clinics is to provide fellows with one-on-one support for specific problems/issues they may be having with their research. They are also intended to assist fellows in progressing toward a complete research protocol by the end of the JAS.
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Zakumumpa and Team Win WHO Grant |
A team from the Makerere University School of Public Health and the Uganda Ministry of Health led by Henry Zakumumpa (Cohort Four Graduate) has won a World Health Organization-Alliance for Health Policy and Systems research grant. Henry will be the principal investigator, providing overall scientific leadership and oversight over the project and administrative aspects that go with it. The proposal, whose theme is ‘Effective health service coverage in the context of donor transition,’ builds on his PhD research focused on donor-funded HIV programs.
“I am thrilled and humbled to have been selected as Principal Investigator of this large, multidisciplinary team of investigators, most of whom are senior to me in research. What is most gratifying to me is that the global health community, including the World Health Organization, has prioritized issues of donor transition in health which was an under-appreciated area when I started my PhD journey seven years ago. This is a huge stepping stone that has been laid. The future is pregnant with possibilities.”~ Henry Zakumumpa.
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Jepchirchir gets Accepted to NIH-Fogarty |
Jepchichir Kiplagat (Cohort Five Graduate, Moi University) recently got accepted to the NIH-Fogarty Fellowship through the Northern Pacific Global Health Fellows program. The one-year fellowship will begin on July 1, 2021.
“I am thrilled to be part of the 2021-2022 Fogarty fellowship program. It is an opportunity for me to focus on a research career and continue to build on my leadership skills. As this is a mentored program, I am hopeful that the 12 months will provide me with an opportunity to learn from a variety of mentors and gain skills in grant writing and mentorship so I could pass this down to others who need it as much I do now. I am forever grateful to CARTA, for the PhD support, without which I would not have received this award,” Jepchirchir said.
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Mobolaji makes Presentation at the US Demography Conference |
Jacob Mobolaji, (Cohort Eight Fellow, Obafemi Awolowo University) presented some of the findings of his PhD work at the PAA Applied Demography 2021 conference in February 2021. His PhD thesis is on the “Determinants and Health Implication of Unmet Needs for Informal Support for Older People in South-Western Nigeria.” The conference organized by the Population Association of America was held virtually from February 2-4. |
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Congratulations to our Fellows and Graduates on their New Appointments! |
Nkosiyazi Dube (Cohort Four Graduate, University of the Witwatersrand) was appointed as the Deputy Head of Department and Course Coordinator for the Masters of Arts in Social Development at Wits' Department of Social Work, School of Human and Community Development.
Lilian Njagi (Cohort Nine Fellow, University of Nairobi) was appointed as a sub-investigator at KEMRI Center for Respiratory Disease Research. Additionally, she also earned a scholarship to the International AIDS Research and Training Program (IARTP) women and HIV fellowship, PhD track of the University of Washington.
Noel Korukire (Cohort Nine Fellow, University of Rwanda) was voted in as the chairperson of the National Council Board(NCB) of Rwanda Allied Health Professions Council (RAHPC). Besides, he has been nominated to be head of the commanding of the COVID-19 response team at the level of College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda.
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Special Feature: Adolescent Obesity in Nigeria: An Epidemic with Minimal Response
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There has been a steady rise in the prevalence of overweight and obese children in all regions of the world. In very extreme cases, researchers are reporting prevalence rates for overweight/obesity in the range of 10 – 40% in developed nations. In actual numbers, 50 million girls and 74 million boys were obese in 2016. The global burden of diseases project found that the prevalence of overweight/obesity among adolescents nearly doubled from 1990 to 2016, with a current prevalence of 18%. It is more disturbing that this rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity is faster in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) compared to the developed countries.
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The University of Zambia now an Official Associate Member of CARTA |
The University of Zambia is now formally an associate member of CARTA following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between APHRC and the University of Zambia. The collaboration shall focus on CARTA fellowships and training support, mentorship from other CARTA partner institutions, and promotion of collaborations, networking, and partnerships with other institutions.
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CARTA’s Co-Directors speak at AFDB Seminar |
Wits’ Sharon Fonn delivered at a plenary session and APHRC’s Catherine Kyobutungi and Joseph Gichuru chaired parallel sessions at the Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Inclusive Development in Post-COVID-19 Africa - A brainstorming e-policy seminar hosted by African Development Institute (ADI) of the African Development Bank Group under the auspices of the Global Community of Practice on COVID-19 Response Strategies in Africa (G-CoP).
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Sharon’s take on Covid-19 and Vaccination in Africa |
Sharon Fonn, CARTA Co-Director, appeared on CGTN on March 22, where she was interviewed on the Covid-19 pandemic lessons in the African continent.
She spoke of the need for investments in science preparedness and research capacity training in the continent, stating that development partners would join in if Africa were to invest in itself.
Click on this link to catch up on the full interview.
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Olujide Aride (Cohort Nine Fellow, Obafemi Awolowo University) published Vulnerability to HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women in Nigeria in Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies. In the study, she sought to identify factors associated with the vulnerability of Adolescent girls and young women to HIV infection in Nigeria.
Fagbamigbe, A. F. (Cohort Two Fellow, University of Ibadan) published How soon does modern contraceptive use starts after sexual debut in Africa? Survival analysis of timing and associated factors among Never-In-Union Women in Scientific African. This study estimated the time to Modern Contraceptive uptake after sexual debut and identified the factors associated with the timings among the ever-had sex never-in-union (EHS-NIU) women in Mozambique, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire.
Wells Utembe (Cohort 1 Graduate, University of Malawi) contributed a chapter ‘Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Their Antimicrobial Efficacy against Drug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus’ to the book ‘Green Synthesis in Nanomedicine and Human Health’ published by the CRC Press. The chapter explores the use of various types of nanomaterials (NMs) synthesized by green methods to combat the drug-resistant pathogen S. aureus.
Enock Chisati (Cohort Seven Graduate, University of Malawi) published An Improvised Pulmonary Telerehabilitation Program for Postacute COVID-19 Patients Would Be Feasible and Acceptable in a Low-Resource Setting. Am J of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Their case shows that an improvised pulmonary telerehabilitation program for postacute COVID-19 patients could be feasible and acceptable in a low-resource setting. Benefits include reducing risk of transmission and use of personal protective equipment.
Foluso A. Atiba (Cohort Eight Fellow, University of Ibadan) published Kola nut from Cola nitida vent. Schott administered to pregnant rats induces histological alterations in pups’ cerebellum in PLOS ONE. The study demonstrates that kola nut, administered repeatedly at certain doses to pregnant dams, could disrupt normal postnatal cerebellar development in their pups.
Alinane Linda Nyondo-Mipando (Cohort Two Graduate, University of Malawi) published “Dispense antiretrovirals daily!” restructuring the delivery of HIV services to optimize antiretroviral initiation among men in Malawi in PLOS ONE. The study assessed the strategies that men prefer for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) initiation in Blantyre, Malawi.
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Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute (RGHI) Post-Doctoral Fellowship |
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RGHI global fellowship strategy will support early-career post-doctoral researchers to drive improvements in global hygiene, deliver impactful scientific research, and create a new generation of scientific leaders.
Application deadline: April 30, 2021
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NIHR Clinical Lectureships in Medicine 2021 |
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NIHR CLs provide opportunities for postdoctoral research and facilitate applications for further research funding for doctors working towards gaining a certificate of completion of specialty training (CCT).
The 2021 CLs are available from 1 March 2021, with award start dates of 1 April 2021 until 30 June 2022.
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Victor Rabinowitch Memorial Award for Young Leaders in International Scientific Cooperation |
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This award will recognize and support research, analysis, or organizational work of young leaders in international scientific cooperation. Additionally, the award aims to encourage a younger generation's pursuit of opportunities to affect policy in these areas.
Application deadline: May 31, 2021
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Wellcome Innovator Awards |
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These awards support researchers who are transforming great ideas into healthcare innovations that could have a significant impact on human health.
Application deadline: May 24, 2021
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McGill Summer Institute Online Courses Now Open |
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The McGill courses on infectious diseases and global health are now open.
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Public Engagement Masterclass (Virtual)
The Public Engagement Masterclass supports researchers from all disciplines who want to embed public engagement as a leadership quality in their career portfolio. The programme will help delegates consider their own context for public engagement with research, encouraging reflection, building knowledge and sharing tools for making tangible interventions in public and institutional settings.
Application and bursary deadline: 18 May 2021
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‘Does anyone have any of these?’: Lab-supply shortages strike amid global pandemic
This article quotes APHRC’s Research Capacity Strengthening Director Evelyn Gitau.
“There has been a proliferation of substandard lab equipment and lab consumables.”- Evelyn.
State of commitment to universal health coverage: synthesis, 2020
One year after world leaders endorsed the most ambitious and comprehensive political declaration on health in history, UHC2030 has produced the first synthesis and country profiles of the state of commitments to UHC.
Kenyans with chronic kidney disease know diet is important. But many don't follow the guidelines
In her article in The Conversation, Rose Okoyo Opiyo, (Cohort One Graduate, University of Nairobi), writes that there is convincing evidence that following a healthy diet may lower the risk of kidney disease complications and allow patients to live well.
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Publish on Nature Africa
Here is a new journal for you to publish your work! The first edition of Nature Africa was published on 18 March 2021. Check it out here.
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WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU |
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Share with us news and updates such as upcoming events, meetings, story ideas, new collaborations, new trials/updates, upcoming and published papers, policy briefs, community engagement activities, scholarships, what you are reading, if you won a grant, attending or about an upcoming conference, a call for applications/funding/papers, etc.
Share these before April 20, 2021, to be included in the next CARTA news & updates, by sending an email to cartaenquiries@aphrc.org.
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