General Information:
The goal of the Fogarty HIV Research Training Program is to strengthen the human capacity to contribute to the ability of institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to conduct HIV-related research on the evolving HIV-related epidemics in their country and to compete independently for research funding.
Currently, the Fogarty Program includes Thailand and Vietnam where country-specific HIV training programs provide education for professionals from several nations in Asia to complete master’s and doctoral degrees in the epidemiology of HIV or to receive short-term training opportunities as visiting scholars. In partnership with collaborating countries, UCLA plays an important role in developing the HIV leadership in East and Southeast Asia.
Active Programs
Cutting-edge, Customized, and Comprehensive (CCC) HIV capacity building for Vietnam and Thailand
CHIPTS Scientists Drs. Sung-Jae Lee and Chunqing Lin are collaborating with Dr. Le Minh Giang at Hanoi Medical University (HMU), Vietnam, and Dr. Chaisiri Angkurawaranon at Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand, on the Cutting-edge, Customized, and Comprehensive (CCC) HIV Capacity Building Program. Funded by the NIH Fogarty International Center (D43TW012489; 2024-2028), this project aims to provide continuous training and career support to junior and mid-career faculty and researchers in Vietnam and Thailand, nurturing them to become regional leaders and driving forces in HIV/AIDS control in Southeast Asia.
This partnership builds upon the previous and ongoing research and training collaborations among the three institutions and leverages the existing research and mentoring infrastructures at UCLA, including the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM), CHIPTS, UCLA-Charles R. Drew University (CDU) Center for AIDS Research (UCLA-CDU CFAR), Division of Population and Behavioral Health (DPBH) Center of Excellence (COE), Integrated Substance Abuse Program (ISAP), and the University of California Global Health Institute (UCGHI) GloCal Health Fellowship Program.
The CCC program supports four junior to mid-level faculty members from HMU and CMU each year (two from each institution each year in Years 1-4, totaling 16 trainees) across three pillars: 1) research (developing research agendas and applying for independent research funding), 2) mentoring (enhancing skills and curriculum to teach and mentor the next generation of public health professionals), and 3) leadership (cultivating leadership skills to ascend into leadership positions within a Southeast Asia HIV Research Advancement Hub [SAHRAH]).
Centering around cutting-edge evidence-based pharmaceutical and bio-behavioral strategies to prevent and treat HIV and comorbidities, the trainees receive customized, hands-on training based on their individualized career development plans. This begins with a nine-month visit to UCLA for intensive engagement in workshops, seminars, courses, and research projects, followed by a one-year structured in-country training program. This includes in-country research, summer institutes, cross-country networking events, and the exercise of leadership skills within SAHRAH. A comprehensive mentorship system features a primary mentor, in-country mentor, transnational mentor, rotational mentor, and peer mentor, ensuring that trainees receive holistic guidance in subject expertise, understanding of local culture and resources, and forging global collaborations.
The program aims to cultivate SAHRAH with a cadre of multidisciplinary faculty and researchers in Vietnam and Thailand, positioning them to lead the next cycle of Fogarty training program applications and become leaders in HIV research and training in Southeast Asia.
If you are interested in learning more and applying, please contact Sung-Jae Lee at sjlee@mednet.ucla.edu or Chunqing Lin at lincq@ucla.edu
Completed Programs
Cambodia
In the wake of an HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1990s, the Cambodian government initiated national data collection and disease monitoring efforts that have produced rich, longitudinal data from HIV/AIDS treatment and surveillance programs. However, a shortage of professionals trained to manage and interpret these types of data, persists.
The UCLA Department of Epidemiology and the Cambodian University of Health Sciences (UHS) created a program with two tracks for trainees: UCLA MS/MPH track and UCLA PhD track. The overall program will be assesed based on trainee progress and matriculation rates; thesis/dissertation quality, policy relevance and the proportion published; the program’s impact on UHS recruitment rates and trainee placement in national HIV/AIDS monitoring and data analysis roles.
For more information, please contact PI: Dr. Pamina Gorbach pgorbach@ucla.edu
China
Despite implementing comprehensive nationwide data collection, China lacked enough well-trained research personnel to be able to analyze these large data sets. As a result, the Chinese Centers for Disease Control (China CDC) and the UCLA School of Public Health (UCLA SPH) created a two-track program to enhance the research capability of the China CDC, which is now in a position to take an active role in collaboratively providing advanced training in research methodology.
The program includes PhD students from both the China CDC and UCLA. Faculty from both UCLA and the China CDC will serve on the doctoral committees of both the UCLA and China CDC trainees. Under the proposed shared training program, UCLA will support the activities at UCLA and the China CDC will support the activities in China, including the PhD program.
For more information, please contact PI: Dr. Li Li lililili@ucla.edu
Myanmar
Isolation of Myanmar from the global community for more than 50 years has prevented contemporary training in advanced research methodology for doctors and scientists in Myanmar despite having one of the worst epidemics of HIV/AIDS in Southeast Asia.
The UCLA Department of Epidemiology will collaborate with the Myanmar University of Public Health (UPH) to address this need. UCLA will provide training for six master’s of science trainees, as well as nine months of training in research methodology at UCLA for ten senior faculty of UPH and the AIDS Control Program.
Candidates for the UCLA-based programs will be recommended by the Myanmar UPH faculty on the basis of their academic records, commitment to HIV and public health research, and intention to promote the health of the people of Myanmar.
For more information, please contact PI: Dr. Sung Jae Lee sjlee@mednet.ucla.edu