Research training in biomedical, epidemiological and health data science to strengthen preparedness and response to epidemic-prone life-threatening emerging infections in uganda (traindata)

The Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center awarded Makerere University College of Health Sciences $137,600 on August 15, 2026, under the International Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.989) to deliver research training in biomedical, epidemiological, and health data science focused on epidemic-prone emerging infections in Uganda.

The award funds graduate-level training (MSc and PhD) in life-threatening emerging infectious diseases, with specialized tracks in infectious disease transmission models, molecular epidemiology, and applied artificial intelligence using R and Biopython. The program cultivates long-term scientific leadership among Ugandan trainees and builds a sustainable pipeline of research leadership by equipping junior faculty at Makerere University College of Health Sciences with mentored training, practical experience, and strategic skills. Training includes regular interactions with policy makers to strengthen trainee contributions to evidence-based decision-making related to prediction, prevention, and management of emerging infectious diseases. Work is performed in Uganda, where active transmission of high-consequence pathogens and patient cohorts provide irreplaceable disease ecology and clinical resources unavailable in the United States. Johns Hopkins University collaborates on the initiative.

The award period runs through April 30, 2031. This is a Project Grant, an assistance type under FIC's International Research and Research Training program.

Abstract

This D43 application leverages unique clinical resources at makerere university and collaboration with johns hopkins university to equip ugandan scientists with biomedical, epidemiological, and health data science practical skills. The program advances data analytics to predict, prevent, and control life-threatening emerging infections with epidemic potential. The specific aims are to: (1) cultivate long-term scientific leadership in life-threatening emerging infectious diseases through graduate-level (MSC and PHD) training; (2) build a sustainable pipeline of research leadership in life-threatening emerging infectious diseases by equipping junior faculty at makchs with mentored training, practical experience, and strategic skills; and (3) strengthen trainee contributions to evidence-based decision making related to life-threatening emerging infectious diseases prediction, prevention and management through regular interactions with policy makers. Training comprises specialized tracks in infectious disease transmission models, molecular epidemiology, and applied artificial intelligence using r and biopython. This research training will be conducted in uganda because IT offers an irreplaceable disease ecology featuring active transmission of high-consequence pathogens (including ebola sudan, bundibugyo and clade i mpox) and patient cohorts unavailable in the US. This training directly benefits the health of americans by positioning data scientists at the frontline to intercept and model pandemic-threat agents at their source. By developing real-time outbreak forecasting tools for pathogens that threaten US biosecurity, this program establishes a vital overseas defensive perimeter, provides the US with critical early-warning predictive metrics, and directly prevents the importation of travel-related infectious threats to the united states.