Visiting Doctors Initiate Clinical Epidemiology Training at Weill Cornell

 Five international doctors from Brazil, Haiti, and Tanzania recently completed a two-month intensive clinical epidemiology training program at Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC). This is the first step towards pursuing a Masters degree. The Summer Program introduces participants to a core of basic knowledge and the skills necessary to plan, conduct and present the results of clinical or health services research studies. With an emphasis on research methodology, participants learned how and when to apply different research designs and utilize appropriate biostatistical techniques from WCMC physician-scientists. The program emphasizes practical foundations and research experiences that provide students with the necessary skills to become independent investigators. Trainees will attend 3 more months of intensive course work in New York in research methods and conduct a thesis research project at their home institution to receive the Masters degree from WCMC. The students are, from left to right: Anselmo Souza, Ph.D., (Brazil), who is conducting research on the evaluation of genetic polymorphisms of cytokines in Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) asymptomatic carriers in relation to HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients.   Paulo Machado, M.D., Ph.D. (Brazil), who is conducting a cohort study to evaluate markers for the development adverse reactions in patients with Leprosy.   Adolphine Hokororo, M.D., (Tanzania), who is studying the prevalence of urogenital tract infections and knowledge of safe motherhood among pregnant adolescent girls in rural areas of Mwanza, Tanzania.   Karine Severe, M.D., (Haiti), who is studying the clinical features of cholera among HIV positive patients as the association of these endemic infectious diseases remains poorly documented.Her study will be conducted at GHESKIO Cholera Treatment Center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.   Bahati Wajanga, M.D.,(Tanzania), who wishes to identify and overcome the challenges of implementing a new strategy of concurrent administration of HAART HIV therapy and anti-tuberculosis therapy in a developing country hospital setting.