University of Pittsburgh – Mozambique HIV Research Training Program

Training

Pitt-MozHRTP Master’s Training

Master’s Programs

Investigators from CISPOC who are interested in pursuing research in CCD-PWH and go through our selection process will be offered degree training at Stellenbosch University. Didactic coursework and mentored high-quality research will be the core elements of this training.  

MSc degree in Clinical Epidemiology

This degree program offers rigorous methodological training for those with a background or experience in a health-related discipline who wish to pursue a career in clinical research or evidence-based practice in the area of CCD-PWH. The program is relevant to potential researchers who require robust training in research techniques including advanced concepts and methods of epidemiology. The program covers basic and applied epidemiological concepts, approaching clinical situations from an evidence-based perspective, and training in ethics, statistical programs, study designs and systematic reviews. The program is presented using a combination of face-to-face teaching and e-learning. Required courses are:

  • Biostatistics I and II
  • Diagnosis and Screening
  • Fundamentals of Epidemiology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials
  • Research Proposal Writing and Grantsmanship
  • Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis
  • Writing and Reviewing Scientific Papers

Students are also required to take two elective courses, of which Infectious Diseases Epidemiology is one offering. The required research project is an ongoing two-year process for the duration of the program, culminating in submission of a research article for publication. A key feature of the program is that students only need to be present in Cape Town for one-to-three week intervals followed by a return home for several months, a cycle that is repeated during the two-year period.

MSc degree in Biostatistics

This program offers training for master’s level biostatisticians. It is a structured master’s program and students complete various modules to build their knowledge and skills, do a three-month internship in a biostatistics environment and conduct a research assignment. Required courses include: 

 

  • Mathematical Statistics
  • Principles of Statistical Inference
  • Linear models
  • Fundamentals of Epidemiology
  • Data Management and Statistical Computing
  • Categorical Data Analysis and Generalized Linear Models
  • Analysis of Survival Data
  • Analysis of Observational Data: Causal Inference
  • Longitudinal Data Analysis
  • Biostatistical Consulting

Pitt-MozHRTP Doctoral Training

PhD Programs

We will offer a full range of PhD experiences in the health sciences, including epidemiology, laboratory sciences, and public health. These doctoral programs entail comprehensive research and require submission of a dissertation after a minimum of two years of study. A PhD in Health Sciences may be obtained partly based on four first-authored published scientific articles (PhD by thesis), which will be an attractive option for doctoral trainees. The dissertation must offer a sustained treatment of its topic based on the candidate’s published research. Furthermore, the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics offers a PhD in Epidemiology, and a PhD in Biostatistics is being registered. The Faculty has a dedicated doctoral office which provides administrative and academic support and activities aimed at facilitating the success of SU doctoral studies. All these PhD programs and resources will be available to Pitt-MozHRTP trainees. The typical time required to complete an SU PhD program is three to five years.  

Pitt-MozHRTP Post-Doctoral Training

Post-Doctoral Fellowships

Post-doctoral fellowships are an under-utilized training mechanism in sub-Saharan Africa. Post-doctoral training will substantially strengthen research skills, assist our trainees in establishing themselves as independent researchers, and enhance their capacity to develop and maintain their research teams. Accordingly, we offer this type of training to our most qualified recent PhD graduates.  

Post-doctoral training will take place at the University of Pittsburgh. As with all Pitt-MozHRTP training, our post-docs will have access to all mentors and the excellent environment and resources that are available at Pitt. Each post-doctoral trainee will be supported for at least one year and not more than two years. At the end of the first year, trainees will submit a progress report that details their productivity, career development relative to their Individualized Development Plan, and, if desired, justification for a second year of training. The TAC will evaluate each report and decide whether training should continue for a subsequent year for trainees who request it. Only trainees who have demonstrated substantial progress on their research and have a strong justification for additional training will be considered for a second year.  

We offer four types of post-doctoral training experiences at Pitt: 

  1. Laboratory studies of immunologic responses to COVID-19 vaccines in PWH.

The immune response to COVID-19 vaccines study and CoVICS, as well as the deep experience of our mentors in the relevant immunologic assays, will provide an excellent research environment for postdoctoral trainees who wish to study the immunology of COVID-19 vaccines in PWH. The focus of this fellowship will be to learn immunologic assays for assessing COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity and other aspects of COVID-19 immunology in PWH. Training will occur on samples from Mozambique. The assays to be studied will depend on the needs of the trainee but will generally include SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain IgG and SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus neutralization assays.

  1. Epidemiologic studies and management of CVD and diabetes in PWH.

MACS will provide our trainees with exposure to how cohort studies of CVD and diabetes in PWH are conducted. In addition, the PACT clinic will provide shadowing experiences for our fellows on the state-of-the-are multidisciplinary assessment and management of chronic diseases in PWH. This fellowship will provide experiences in 1) epidemiologic studies of chronic diseases in PWH, 2) training in how chronic diseases are managed in PWH, 3) analysis of study data from Mozambique with the goal of publication.

  1. Assessment of sequelae of COVID-19 among PWH.

The UPMC Post-COVID Recovery Clinic will provide a unique environment for post-doctoral fellows who want to establish a research program in sequelae of COVID-19 in PWH. Trainees will learn how subjects are enrolled in care, assessed for sequelae, and referred for additional care. Although trainees will learn state-of-the-art methods (e.g., cardiac magnetic resonance imaging), training will focus on approaches that are practical and feasible in Mozambique.

  1. Phylogenomics and genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2.

This postdoctoral fellowship will be for candidates with an interest in SARS-CoV-2 genomics. Skills to be acquired include structure and function of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, bioinformatics pipelines for genomic analysis, significance and functional implications of specific genetic polymorphisms, using SARS-CoV-2 genomics to study transmission in populations, and the integration of genomic and epidemiologic data. Training will be performed using specimens from Mozambique.

The structure of the post-doctoral fellowship experience will depend in part on the individual needs of the fellow and the field of study. Some of our most promising candidates have young families and are employed at CISPOC, which will make living in the U.S. for one to two years logistically challenging. In addition, some training activities that involve analysis of study participant or genomic data can be done in part remotely, whereas laboratory training generally requires a longer stay at the training site. Accordingly, we will allow flexibility in how the individual post-doctoral fellowships are structured. For all fellows, we anticipate that at least one to two one-month stays in Pittsburgh will be required, with the remainder of the fellowship occurring remotely. 

Training at Hopkins Summer Institute

Johns Hopkins Summer Institute

This program offers intensive credit-level course work in basic epidemiology and biostatistics, including a one-week course in AIDS designed specifically for Fogarty trainees. Examples of relevant courses include: Principles of Epidemiology

  • Epidemiology in Evidence-Based Policy
  • Topics in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Advanced Methods in Observational Studies: Design
  • Professional Epidemiologic Methods: Health Data Sources and Surveillance
  • Data Analysis Workshop I and II
  • Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials
  • Statistical Reasoning in Public Health I and II
  • Challenges of Clinical Trials in Low and Middle Income Countries
  • Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS
  • Advanced Issues on HIV/AIDS

The Institute is an excellent springboard for trainees who decide to advance to degree training.