This application represents a new effort to develop a collaborative training program in infectious disease (ID) research between Case Western Reserve University (Case), and the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR). Here we identify numerous transitions that have occurred among collaborating investigators at both Case and PNGIMR, and introduce an exciting, new opportunity for building basic ID research capacity in PNG. This new opportunity will allow formal collaboration between PNGIMR and the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), following their recently signed memorandum of understanding (September, 2004). Collaborative ID research in PNG must be relevant to the ways that IDs affect the lives of Papua New Guineans where malaria and pneumonia are the leading causes of illness and mortality. These IDs are responsible for at least 30% of hospital admissions and certainly contribute to mortality rates in children (<5 years of age) that are 18-24 times higher than observed in the USA and Australia (UNICEF 2003 statistics). PNG's extensive cultural diversity, with over 850 spoken languages, introduces unique communication challenges that can complicate ID control efforts. Therefore, the primary objectives of this application will be to conduct educational experiences focused on important PNG infectious diseases and to develop strategies for communicating health care advice that will improve health in PNG. This new Program will be guided by the following specific aims. (1) Develop strategies for identifying/recruiting training program candidates in PNG interested in making a strong commitment toward pursuing a career in ID research, (2) Enhance PNG undergraduate basic science education with ID research experience, (3) Provide honors/graduate level training through laboratory-/field-based research experience, (4) Provide laboratory/field experiences for PNG students and physicians to expand their capacity for contributing to existing ID research programs, or to facilitate development of independent ID research programs, (5) Provide opportunities for PNG trainees/faculty to communicate research findings through writing abstracts and manuscripts, developing posters/oral presentations, and encourage PNG scientists to become familiar with available funding strategies to sustain ID research programs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
International Research Training Grants (D43)
Project #
5D43TW007377-05
Application #
7615717
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-ICP-2 (91))
Program Officer
Sina, Barbara J
Project Start
2005-07-26
Project End
2011-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-01
Budget End
2011-03-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$133,950
Indirect Cost
Name
Case Western Reserve University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
077758407
City
Cleveland
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44106
Willie, Nigani; Zimmerman, Peter A; Mehlotra, Rajeev K (2018) Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein 2 Gene Variation in a Malaria-Endemic Area of Papua New Guinea. Am J Trop Med Hyg 99:697-703
Willie, Nigani; Mehlotra, Rajeev K; Howes, Rosalind E et al. (2018) Insights into the Performance of SD Bioline Malaria Ag P.f/Pan Rapid Diagnostic Test and Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein 2 Gene Variation in Madagascar. Am J Trop Med Hyg 98:1683-1691
Thomsen, Edward K; Koimbu, Gussy; Pulford, Justin et al. (2017) Mosquito Behavior Change After Distribution of Bednets Results in Decreased Protection Against Malaria Exposure. J Infect Dis 215:790-797
Willie, Barne; Gare, Janet; King, Christopher L et al. (2017) A preliminary assessment of Toll-like receptor and ?-defensin gene polymorphisms in Papua New Guinea - what does it mean for HIV/AIDS? P N G Med J 60:51-59
Keven, John B; Reimer, Lisa; Katusele, Michelle et al. (2017) Plasticity of host selection by malaria vectors of Papua New Guinea. Parasit Vectors 10:95
Reimer, Lisa J; Thomsen, Edward K; Koimbu, Gussy et al. (2016) Malaria transmission dynamics surrounding the first nationwide long-lasting insecticidal net distribution in Papua New Guinea. Malar J 15:25
Logue, Kyle; Keven, John Bosco; Cannon, Matthew V et al. (2016) Unbiased Characterization of Anopheles Mosquito Blood Meals by Targeted High-Throughput Sequencing. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 10:e0004512
Barnadas, CĂ©line; Timinao, Lincoln; Javati, Sarah et al. (2015) Significant geographical differences in prevalence of mutations associated with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax drug resistance in two regions from Papua New Guinea. Malar J 14:399
Logue, Kyle; Small, Scott T; Chan, Ernest R et al. (2015) Whole-genome sequencing reveals absence of recent gene flow and separate demographic histories for Anopheles punctulatus mosquitoes in Papua New Guinea. Mol Ecol 24:1263-74
Mehlotra, Rajeev K; Hall, Noemi B; Bruse, Shannon E et al. (2015) CCR2, CCR5, and CXCL12 variation and HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea. Infect Genet Evol 36:165-173

Showing the most recent 10 out of 22 publications