GLOCAL FELLOWS 2024-2025

Cheyenne Belmont, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco. Her research focuses on understanding the complex drivers of antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infections through a One Health approach, integrating advanced geospatial methods and next-generation sequencing technology. Dr. Belmont earned her PhD in Epidemiology and MS in Environmental Health Sciences from UC Berkeley, where she investigated Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli and spatial clustering of community-onset UTIs in San Francisco. She also contributed to developing water sampling techniques for detecting schistosomiasis-causing parasites in China and conducted drinking water testing in Nepal. Her work aims to address the global spread of antimicrobial resistance by leveraging her environmental health expertise and building international collaborations to tackle urgent public health threats.

Project

Waterborne Resistance Genes and Their Connection to Urinary Tract Infections in Women: Insights for Global Health
Community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) are a leading cause of antibiotic use among women globally and pose a growing challenge in rapidly urbanizing cities in low- and middle-income countries. These challenges are driven by inadequate sanitation infrastructure, rising multidrug resistance in community infections, and high antibiotic usage. Dr. Belmont’s research in Mysore, India, focuses on identifying and comparing antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in UTI-causing bacteria and drinking water sources using Whole Genome Sequencing. By examining drinking water as a potential source of ARGs, her team aims to characterize mobile genetic elements in the environment and investigate the spatial relationship between waterborne ARGs and CA-UTIs. By integrating molecular epidemiology with environmental health, the study seeks to provide insights into AMR dynamics that could inform strategies to limit the spread of drug resistance in both clinical and environmental contexts.
Mentors: Eva Raphael (UCSF), P.A. Mahesh (Public Health Research Institute of India), Purnima Madhivanan (University of Arizona)

cheyenne.butcher2@ucsf.edu

Gregory Brown, PhD, MD is a postdoctoral fellow in the UCSF Department of Neurology who is passionate about developing neurotechnology to help people maintain functional brain health throughout their lives. He received his joint PhD/MD from Penn State University. Dr. Brown performed his graduate studies in engineering science and mechanics to position himself at the intersection of neuroscience and technology. His thesis work utilized brain imaging to investigate cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease and earned a competitive F30 fellowship from the National Institute on Aging. In addition, his clinical training allowed him to care for individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease. He strives to view patients in a holistic, well-rounded way, and hopes to ensure high-quality medical care for the global community. He is excited to investigate neuromodulation as an effective tool to improve the care of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Overall, he plans to continue to combine medicine and engineering to ensure individuals can thrive as they age.

Project

Cost-Effective Normalization of Neuronal Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and is twice as prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income countries. However, the disease is rarely considered in global health discussions. Currently, expensive diagnostic imaging and complex surgical treatments are unfeasible in LMICs. New advancements in neurorecording and neuromodulation may provide an avenue for improved treatments of Parkinson’s disease in LMICs. Dr. Brown’s project hypothesizes that electroencephalography and transcranial electrical stimulation can measure and fix irregular brain waves, respectively, in Peruvian patients with Parkinson’s disease. This project is in collaboration with the Instituto Peruano de Neurociencias. The findings will lead to a better understanding of brain rhythms in Parkinson’s disease and the potential for new technologies to be a cost-effective treatment modality in LMICs.

Mentors: Serggio Lanata (UCSF), Nilton Custodio (Universidad Católica San Pablo), Andrew Krystal (UCSF)

gbrown6@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Mariah Coley, PhD, is a biogeographer and current postdoctoral research fellow at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Coley’s research addresses the relationships between the soil microbiome, human gut microbiome, and human health. In her doctoral dissertation, she investigated the associations between the gut microbiome of children and the microbial communities in soils in and around their households in rural Kenya. Dr. Coley earned her PhD in Geography and a MSc in International Agricultural Development from University of California Davis, and a BA in Classical Studies and Studio Art from Dartmouth College. She is committed to pursuing integrative research spanning global health, communities, and the environment that makes a meaningful contribution to rural lives and livelihoods.

Project

Soil-Gut Microbiome Associations (SGMA): contributions of household soils to antimicrobial resistance and enteric pathogen infection among children under the age of five years
Enteric pathogen (EP) infection is a persistent problem affecting children in Kenya. Many EPs in rural households carry antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), which limit the ability of antibiotics to treat enteric infections. Soils are often implicated as sources of EPs and ARGs in rural households. However, soils are highly biologically diverse even over small spatial scales. It is not known how soil diversity may affect the persistence of EPs and ARGs in households. This study will address these relationships by quantifying ARGs in soils and in the gut; evaluating the correlation between EP abundances found in the household soil and markers of dysfunction in the child gut. Using samples from soil, stool, and drinking water, this study will use metagenomic sequencing and advanced bioinformatics to quantify EPs, ARGs, and other microbial constituents of gut and soil. This study will elucidate how variations in soils may affect risk of EP infection and gut ARG acquisition for children.

Mentors: Jack Gilbert (UCSD), Phelgona Otieno (Kenya Medical Research Institute), Craig Cohen (UCSF)

mcoley@ucsd.edu

Kara Faktor, MD, MSc, is a general surgery resident at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Faktor received her medical degree from UCLA. During medical school, she spent a year as a Doris Duke International Clinical Research Fellow pursuing surgical site infection research and helping to build microbiology capacity at district hospitals in rural Rwanda in collaboration with Partners in Health (Inshuti Mu Buzima). She subsequently earned an MSc in Public Health for Development from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is passionate about local and global surgical equity. Her research interests include surgical education and capacity building for context-appropriate implementation of best practices.

Project

Impact of an outreach program on reduction of pediatric surgical disease in a refugee population in Uganda
Despite significant progress in increasing access to surgery globally, an estimated 1.7 billion children remain without access to safe, lifesaving surgical care. Refugee children have high reported rates of surgical needs due to injury and congenital or acquired conditions. Uganda hosts the world’s 4th largest refugee population with 1.5 million displaced people, 81% of whom are women and children. This study will assess the feasibility of a structured pediatric surgical outreach program integrated with Uganda’s national hospital system and evaluate the impact of this program on the reduction of pediatric surgical disease and averted disability. A secondary aim of the study involves the education of refugee healthcare providers on pediatric surgical topics with assessment of knowledge acquisition and behavior change in identifying and referring patients with surgical disease. Study findings could inform strategies for the integration of pediatric surgical care into refugee healthcare programs.

Mentors: Doruk Ozgediz (UCSF), Felix Oyania (Mbarara University of Science and Technology), Phyllis Kisa (Makerere University)

kara.faktor@ucsf.edu

Juan C. Jauregui, MSW, MPH, is a doctoral student in the Department of Social Welfare at UCLA and a Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow. He completed his Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan, where he was involved in LGBTQ+ mental health and sexual health projects in the U.S., Kenya, Zambia, and the Dominican Republic. Juan’s research centers LGBTQ+ communities and explores the intersection of social processes with health outcomes. Specifically, his work investigates the mechanisms by which stigma, social exclusion, and social connectedness promote or hinder the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ communities in low- and middle-income countries. His previous professional experience as a crisis worker for a national suicide hotline motivates his research inquiries and exploration of community-based interventions that use task shifting to reach LGBTQ+ young people experiencing psychological distress in resource-limited settings.

Project

Exploring Stigma, Mental Health, and HIV Treatment Engagement Among SGM Young People Living with HIV in Peru
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) young people are a key population disproportionately impacted by HIV in Peru, and experience heightened vulnerability due to multiple stigmatized social statuses (HIV, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.). The purpose of Mr. Jauregui’s study is to gain a rich qualitative understanding of a) the mechanisms by which stigma impedes healthcare engagement, b) how stigma interacts with psychological well-being, and c) the strategies SGM young people living with HIV (LWH) use to actively resist stigma. This project prioritizes knowledge that will improve community-based service provision and interventions that address the mental health and HIV care needs of this community. This project will work with a community advisory board to validate the findings from interviews with SGM young people LWH and HIV healthcare providers and identify gaps and opportunities for sustainable community-based interventions that can be integrated into existing programs and services.

Mentors: Bianca D.M. Wilson (UCLA), Kelika Konda (UPCH), Gary Harper (University of Michigan)

jjauregui@g.ucla.edu

Jeanine Justiniano, MD, is a fourth-year general surgery resident at UC Davis Medical Center. Dr. Justiniano grew up in Providence, RI, the daughter of Bolivian immigrants. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Providence College, and a medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Her experience in global health/global surgery includes working at the Kilu-ufi Referral Hospital in the Solomon Islands and at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel which provides life-saving heart surgery for children born with congenital heart disease. She aims to integrate her passion for surgery and a desire to give back by addressing health disparities and improving health equity in under-resourced communities.

Project

Implementation of a Prehabilitation Program to Improve Liver Surgery in Tanzania
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), an estimated 46,000 new hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases and 44,000 HCC deaths occur each year, making it the second highest cause of cancer-related mortality. In Tanzania, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science (MUHAS) recently established a multidisciplinary liver tumor board (MLTB) with a hepatitis clinic. Despite this, only 40 patients have been treated for localized HCC over the past three years. Recently, Mwanga et al reported a series of 36 inpatient cases of HCC over a 6-month period, only 2 of which were able to undergo surgery. The leading contraindication was poor performance status. Prehabilitation programs in surgery are well established to improve performance status. They often include weightlifting and nutrition support; interventions that are accessible and cost-effective. Dr. Justiniano’s team will implement a prehabilitation program to improve liver surgical candidacy and treatment rates for HCC patients in SSA.

Mentors: Cameron Gaskill (UC Davis), Ally Mwanga (MUHAS), Erick Mbuguje (MUHAS)

jjustiniano@ucdavis.edu

Nashivai Kivuyo, MD, MMed, is a Surgeon and Clinical Researcher dedicated to advancing cancer care in resource-limited settings. Dr. Kivuyo is a Lecturer in the Department of Surgery at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and a practicing surgeon at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). During residency, she led a study on the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer in Tanzania, highlighting the challenges in diagnosing the disease resulting in low resection rates. She has received multiple grants to study cancer in Tanzania, including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) Early Career Award, the Tanzania Beat Cancer Junior Faculty Award, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award.

Project

Implementing a multilevel intervention to enhance treatment decision-making and treatment adherence among breast cancer patients.
Breast Cancer (BC) patients in Tanzania are usually diagnosed at advanced stages. Multi-modality care encompassing neo-adjuvant therapy, surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy is the standard of care. Dr. Kivuyo’s recent study on treatment outcomes of BC highlighted challenges in uptake, adherence and completion of multimodal treatments plans among BC patients. Building upon these findings, her current project will focus on using implementation research methods to improve multimodality treatment care for BC patients at MNH. She will conduct a formative assessment with key stakeholders and develop a context-appropriate intervention strategy to address the identified gaps to improve treatment uptake and adherence to multimodality treatment plans for BC patients to improve the treatment outcomes.

Mentors: Cameron Gaskill (UC Davis), Ally Hamis Mwanga (MUHAS), Katherine Van Loon (UCSF)

nashivaelias@gmail.com

Arjun M. C., MD, MBBS, is a clinical research fellow at St. John's Research Institute (SJRI), in Bengaluru, India. Dr. Arjun M.C. received his medical degree in Community Medicine from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, India. As an early career researcher, he had multiple articles published in national and international journals. At SJRI, he shifted toward health informatics, exploring concepts such as the use of blockchain technology in healthcare, and the potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to address global health disparities. Dr. M.C. is currently focused on leveraging AI technologies to develop innovative digital health interventions aimed at tackling the burden of mental health disorders and non-communicable diseases.

Project

Feasibility and acceptability of using an Artificial Intelligence chatbot for screening of high school students for anxiety and depression.
Mental health disorders are increasingly common among children and adolescents in Indian schools, with anxiety and depression being the most prevalent. The shortage of trained mental health professionals in schools compounds this issue, making it difficult to screen students effectively and refer them for treatment. Training schoolteachers or healthcare workers for these screenings is often impractical. Dr. M.C.’s research proposes to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot to screen high school students for anxiety and depression. This project aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using the AI chatbot for Tier 1 universal screening in high school settings. By leveraging technology, the project seeks to provide a scalable and efficient approach to mental health screening, potentially transforming how schools identify and address mental health issues.

Mentors: Warren Scott Comulada (UCLA), Tinku Thomas (SJRI), Maria Ekstrand (UCSF)

arjun.mc@sjri.res.in

Regina Daniel Miambo, PhD, DVM, is an Assistant Lecturer of Parasitology at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) School of Veterinary Medicine, in Maputo, Mozambique. Dr. Miambo received her degree in veterinary medicine from UEM, and a PhD in biology from the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, with research focused on Neglected Tropical Diseases. She has worked at the Institute for Health and Research in Mozambique training biomedical researchers in HIV epidemiology, and currently mentors masters and PhD students studying bioscience and public health at UEM, as well as undergraduate veterinary students funded by Fogarty MEPI and D43 training grants.

Project

A One Health approach to access transmission dynamics of Leptospira spp in Matola Municipality, Maputo Province, Mozambique
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic febrile disease caused by spirochetes belonging to genus Leptospira. Rats serve as a primary reservoir contributing significantly to the transmission of the disease to humans. In countries like Mozambique where malaria is endemic, leptospirosis may be overlooked or misdiagnosed in febrile patients, potentially due to overlapping symptoms or predisposed focus on malaria. Dr. Miambo will investigate Leptospira spp using a One Health approach in febrile patients, rats and in water ponds to better understand transmission cycles and disease impact in Mozambique. Study findings will lead to more effective interventions such as targeted rat control programs, public health education in safe water practices and incorporation of Leptospira into differential diagnosis of malaria in Mozambique.

Mentors: Robert Schooley (UCSD), Mamudo Ismail (UEM), Emilia Noormahomed (UEM)

regil.miambo@gmail.com

Daniel Msilanga, MD, is a Lecturer at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and a practicing Nephrologist at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). Dr. Msilanga completed both his Internal Medicine and Nephrology training at MUHAS and further pursued Interventional Nephrology training through the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) at St. Helier Hospital in London. His research focuses on the epidemiology and enhancement of care for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in lower and middle-income settings. He is a member of the Young Nephrologists Committee of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and is currently working to adapt and implement artificial intelligence to predict the risk and outcomes of kidney diseases in primary healthcare facilities in Tanzania.

Project

Assessing the Diagnostic Performance of Point-of-Care (POC) Creatinine Tests for Detecting Renal Dysfunction in People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Attending Care and Treatment Centers (CTCs) in Tanzania
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant challenge among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Tanzania. This burden is exacerbated by diagnostic hurdles due to inadequate access to biochemistry laboratory infrastructure and trained personnel, particularly in primary healthcare settings. A simple and cost-effective diagnostic tool, such as the rapid creatinine point-of-care (POC) test, could significantly enhance the detection of renal dysfunction in PLHIV. Dr. Msilanga proposes to assess the diagnostic performance of the point-of-care creatinine dipstick test in detecting renal dysfunction among PLHIV attending care and treatment clinics (CTC) in Tanzania. If proven effective, this less invasive and easily accessible test could be integrated into routine clinical care in CTCs, reducing waiting times and enabling timely screening and monitoring of renal function among HIV patients. Furthermore, the test can be administered by regular healthcare providers with minimal training.

Mentors: Kathleen Lu (UCSF), Emmanuel Balandya (MUHAS), Anna Schuh (Oxford University)

pascodanny@gmail.com

Richard Muhindo, PhD, MPH, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Nursing at Makerere University School of Health Sciences. Dr. Muhindo received his PhD from Makerere University, and his MPH from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. He has worked as program coordinator for the AIDS Information Centre and Reproductive Health, Uganda, implementing reproductive and sexual health projects for at-risk populations, including adolescents. His research publications include topics on understanding barriers and strategies for scaling up sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevention interventions among key populations (sex workers), contraceptive and family planning services for adolescents and under-served residents of mountainous areas, maternal health, and health systems.

Project

Integrating Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis into HIV services for sex workers in Uganda

While the HIV prevalence among Ugandans aged 15-49 years is at 5.5%, it is 31% in female sex workers (FSW), and sex work is estimated to contribute 7–11% of new HIV infections. However, uptake of oral PrEP among Female Sex Workers (FSW) and Male Sex Workers (MSW) in Uganda remains low. The impending rollout of Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir (CAB-LA PrEP), an intramuscular injectable administered every 2 months after an initial 4-week dosing interval, offers an opportunity to improve PrEP adherence and uptake. However, the social, cultural, and structural factors that may influence CAB-LA PrEP implementation and effectiveness among this population are unknown. This mixed-methods study aims to explore the potential barriers and facilitators to CAB-LA PrEP acceptability and uptake, as well as identify preferred service delivery attributes and models among MSW and FSW in Uganda, providing valuable insights to optimize PrEP implementation and improve HIV prevention among sex workers.

Mentors: Rachel King (UCSF), Barbara Castelnuovo (Infectious Diseases Institute), Whitney Irie (Boston College)

richard.muhindo@mak.ac.ug

Sumanth Reddy, MD, is a neurologist and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. As a medical student at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Reddy collaborated on projects investigating the impact of pesticide exposure on Parkinson’s disease in southern Brazil and the burden of traumatic brain injuries caused by traffic accidents in Santo Domingo, sparking his passion for global neurology. During his neurology residency at UCSF, he worked with local neurologists to characterize the epidemiology and in-hospital management of intracerebral hemorrhage in Lima, Peru. During residency training, he developed an interest in neuroinfectious and neuroinflammatory disorders, and is currently focused on investigating novel diagnostic methods for these illnesses. After completing his GloCal fellowship, he will join the UCSF neuroimmunology training program in pursuit of a clinician-scientist career.

Project

Tuberculous Meningitis in Lima, Peru: Advancing Diagnostics and Uncovering the Impact of HIV Coinfection on Host Immune Response

TB meningitis is a severe form of TB that is most pronounced in resource-limited settings and among patients with HIV. Current front-line diagnostic tests for TBM are insensitive, and among patients with TBM in Peru, treatment delays due to diagnostic uncertainty are associated with a 70% increase in mortality. Developing new diagnostic tests and understanding the dysregulated host inflammatory response are critical to improving outcomes for patients with TBM. To investigate these questions, Dr. Reddy’s project seeks to utilize metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS), a technique that analyzes the genetic material within a cerebrospinal fluid sample to detect a wide variety of pathogens, while also providing insight into the host immune response. The project includes understanding the diagnostic utility of mNGS for TBM, refining a predictive model that incorporates the host transcriptome to boost diagnostic accuracy, and analyzing how HIV alters the host immune response to TBM.

Mentors: Michael Wilson (UCSF), Renzo Villanueva (Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, UPCH), Felicia Chow (UCSF)

sumanth.reddy@ucsf.edu

Kelly Rutt, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. She worked in nonprofits in environmental health and safety education for 20 years and became interested in the factors influencing community engagement to establish social and economic equilibrium. Dr. Rutt completed her PhD in Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University. Her research investigates the ethical application of community interventions like social entrepreneurship and healthcare delivery outside of North America. She has worked in Afghanistan examining nonprofit endeavors to raise social and resource equity for marginalized populations, and with the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in South Africa investigating predictors of treatment behavior, and cultural masculinity identity, with the aim of improving men's global TB and HIV healthcare delivery.

Project

Exploring the Experiences of Coaches in the Coach Mpilo Peer-to-Peer Counseling Program in South Africa
Globally and in South Africa, men face an excess burden of both HIV and TB-related morbidity and mortality, being disadvantaged in accessing and progressing along the care cascade. Men are less likely to seek timely TB care, are 27% more likely than women to die from HIV, and over half of HIV-related deaths among men occur in those who haven’t started ART. The Coach Mpilo program addresses these issues by using a peer support model in South Africa. Dr. Rutt’s study, nested in the Coach Mpilo TB and TB/HIV feasibility study, will explore the emotional experiences and challenges faced by coaches in the program. It will investigate how cultural factors, including masculinity, affect peer counseling practices and counselors' relationships. The findings will provide actionable insights for improving the Coach Mpilo program and coach training, enhancing gender-sensitive and transformative interventions, and identifying barriers and facilitators to scale up peer support healthcare programs.

Mentors: Kate Dovel (UCLA), Andrew Medina-Marino (DTHF), Joseph Daniels (ASU)

krutt1@asu.edu

Andrew Weil Semulimi, MBChB, is a medical doctor and research fellow at Makerere University Lung Institute. Dr. Semulimi was previously a research fellow of the Makerere Non-Communicable Diseases Research training program and received a 2021 NIH Small Grant through the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. His research focuses on the intersection of infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in the context of HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). He employs epidemiological and immunological approaches to understand these interactions. He aims to adapt cardiovascular disease risk assessment and prevention strategies for local populations, and to develop interventions to mitigate cardiovascular disease burden in LMICs.

Project

Preclinical Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Prediction Models in older People with HIV (PACE-HIV study) in Uganda

Since the advent of antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV (PWH) are living longer, resulting in a growing older population in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This demographic shift is accompanied by a higher incidence of age-related non-communicable diseases, particularly atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). PWH are twice as likely to develop ASCVD compared to HIV-uninfected individuals. This project aims to enhance cardiovascular risk assessment by utilizing cost-effective, non-invasive carotid ultrasonography and region-specific cardiovascular risk prediction charts to identify at-risk patients. Specifically, the study will 1) determine the prevalence of preclinical atherosclerosis using a combination of two parameters i.e. maximal carotid plaque height and mean carotid intima-media thickness, and 2) adapt the WHO/ISH Cardiovascular Risk Chart for Africa (E), integrating local factors such as dietary habits and physical activity levels.

Mentors: Sara Gianella Weibel (UCSD), Barbara Castelnuovo (IDI), David Mukunya (Busitema University)

asemulimi@gmail.com

Peter Wambi, MD, MPH, is a public health physician and researcher at the Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium (U-TIRC) and is dedicated to developing and evaluating innovative solutions to improve care for children and adolescents with tuberculosis (TB), as well as strengthening health care systems. Dr. Wambi has practiced medicine for ten years in Uganda’s public health care system and has research capacities in epidemiology, implementation science, and diagnostics in child and adolescent health. In his role at U-TIRC, he has coordinated longitudinal studies of malaria and TB in children that informed national and international policy. Dr. Wambi is proficient at health strategic formulation and implementation, healthcare policy, planning and strategic financing. His GloCal fellowship will strengthen his knowledge and skills in data science, machine learning and building predictive models for TB and HIV intervention outcomes, as well as disease transmission patterns to inform policy.

Project

The role of lung sounds artificial intelligence algorithms to detect severity of pulmonary tuberculosis among children in Uganda

About 32,000 children 0-14 years with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) receive treatment for 6 months. The lengthy treatment period is a concern for caretakers and children because of: 1) catastrophic expenditure due to TB and treatment that affects 18.3 % of families; 2) interruption of school among 25% of children; 3) the risk of drug toxicity. Recently WHO recommended TB treatment shortening for children with non-severe TB (70% of TB in children) from 6 to 4 months. Distinguishing severe from non-severe disease is based on chest x-ray. However, radiology services are not available in primary health care (PHC) settings that have the most TB cases. This project will evaluate the accuracy of lung-sounds recorded by a simple digital stethoscope and analyzed using artificial intelligence to distinguish severe from non-severe TB in children. Lung sound analysis using a digital stethoscope could provide an alternative to radiology, predict severity, and support treatment shortening at the PHC level.

Mentors: Devan Jaganath (UCSF), Achilles Katamba (U-TIRC), Adithya Cattamanchi (UC Irvine)

peterwambi1@gmail.com

Aracely Zambrano-Romero, PhD, is a researcher and lecturer at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. Dr. Zambrano-Romero’s scientific work focuses on environmental health by evaluating and proposing solutions to mitigate the environmental occurrence of contaminants in water, including heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Her research also includes the observation of changes in the composition, abundance, and diversity of microbial communities in artificial environments, and the characterization of contaminated effluents that affect the quality of water resources. She has contributed to the design, construction, and operation of sustainable treatment system prototypes, the bioprospecting of environmental microbial consortia, and the understanding of how contaminants are transported and impact environmental health.

Project

Irrigation channels as conduits of contamination: A study of Neonicotinoids and microbiological water quality in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador

This research will investigate the seasonal variability of neonicotinoid concentrations in irrigation water and their correlation with microbial communities’ alterations and fecal contamination in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. An integrated approach will include interviews with community stakeholders and water sample collection throughout the year to assess neonicotinoid and transformation product (TP) concentrations. Then we will examine the positive correlation between pesticide concentrations and microbial community changes, alongside fecal contamination indicators such as fecal coliforms and parasitic eggs. This study will utilize next-generation sequencing for microbial diversity analysis and solid-phase extraction for chemical analysis, supplemented by geographic and statistical data evaluations. Results will inform risk assessment and mitigation strategies, providing critical information for community health and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Mentors: Georgia Kayser (UCSD), Jose Suarez-Torres (CIMAS), Valeria Ochoa-Herrera (Universidad San Francisco de Quito)

azambranor@asig.com.ec