Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal
-
Upload
whistler-zachery -
Category
Documents
-
view
20 -
download
1
description
Transcript of Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal
![Page 1: Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022032708/56812ba3550346895d8fd53e/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute
University of KwaZulu Natal
New Minds, New Ideas: Attracting the Next Generation of
Investigators to HIV Vaccine Research
![Page 2: Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022032708/56812ba3550346895d8fd53e/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Challenges Facing African Investigators
Challenges Facing African Investigators
• Although HIV/AIDS is overwhelmingly an African problem, very few Africans are
involved in HIV Vaccine Research
• There is a moral obligation for Africans to get involved and for the global research community to address this disparity. What
are the challenges and how do we address them?
![Page 3: Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022032708/56812ba3550346895d8fd53e/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Challenges Facing African Investigators
•Limited research infrastructure
•Limited political will by African governments and institutions
•Lack of capacity for mentorship and grantsmanship
![Page 4: Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022032708/56812ba3550346895d8fd53e/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Challenges Facing African Investigators
Challenges Facing African Investigators
• Limited opportunities for career growth- leading to brain drain, vicious cycle
• Economic issues such as poor salaries and cumbersome bureaucracies
• Paucity of rigorous academic/research environments
![Page 5: Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022032708/56812ba3550346895d8fd53e/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Opportunities
• In some cases, it is easier and faster to do HIV vaccine research in Africa - study cohorts, cooperative and enthusiastic collaborators who understand the need
• Opportunities for direct impact on communities and institutions
![Page 6: Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022032708/56812ba3550346895d8fd53e/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Solutions
• Investment in local leadership development
• Local ownership and attributable credits by collaborators
• Long-term partnerships - facilitators rather than competitors; sustainable funding; Centers of Excellence; exchange programs that work in both directions
![Page 7: Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022032708/56812ba3550346895d8fd53e/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Profile of an African in HIV Research
• Degrees from Nairobi and Harvard
• Seed funding from Harvard for a junior faculty position in Botswana
• Great collaborations and facilitation from mentors at Harvard: in Botswana and South Africa
![Page 8: Thumbi Ndung’u, BVM, PhD Doris Duke Medical Research Institute University of KwaZulu Natal](https://reader030.fdocuments.in/reader030/viewer/2022032708/56812ba3550346895d8fd53e/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (DDMRI) in Durban,
South Africa. The facility houses the HIV Pathogenesis Programme, a collaborative initiative between Massachusetts General Hospital and
the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine