Department of Medicine

Medical School

Research Projects

  • Uganda Research Hub
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • China
  • Latin America

  • Uganda Research Hub

    Uganda Research Hub

    Uganda Research Hub

    • Adjunctive Sertraline for the Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis (ASTRO-CM)
      PI: David Boulware, Co-I: David Meya, Josh Rhein.
      This randomized clinical trial tests the anti-fungal activity of sertraline (a SSRI anti-depressant) for cryptococcal meningitis. 
      • Dr. Josh Rhein is a UMN assistant professor located on site in Kampala, Uganda
      • Dr. Meya's YouTube video on burden of cryptococcal disease

    • Operational Research for Cryptococcal Antigen Screening (ORCAS)
      PIs: David Meya, David Boulware, Co-I's: Radha Rajasingham, Kathy Hullsiek
      This randomized clinical trial tests improved therapy for asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia in order to reduce AIDS related mortality. YouTube video on point-of- care CRAG testing. 

    • Refugee Health Screening Program Evaluation and Disease Surveillance
      PI: Bill Stauffer; in collaboration with CDC and Int'l Organization for Migration (IOM) allows for program evaluation in Congolese refugee camps in Uganda. Other global locations exist. 

    • Uptake of and barriers to HPV vaccination among adolescent girls in rural Uganda
      PI: Nicole Basta; Co-I: Cecily Banura, Shalini Kulasingam; UMN AHC Seed Grant 
      This pilot project in collaboration with School of Public Health assesses vaccine uptake.

    • Emerging Pandemic Threats 2 Program, USAID Cooperative Agreement
      PI: Katey Pelican. This supports epidemiologic surveillance studies of emerging pandemic threats in Sub-Saharan Africa through a network of universities. Hub activities are in Uganda.

    • Optimizing iron status while minimizing morbidity for HIV-infected Ugandan children
      PI: Sarah Cusick; This study aims to determine optimal methods of iron therapy in children with iron deficiency and/or anemia of chronic disease. Award from Masonic Children's Foundation.

    • Assessing antiretroviral distribution in CNS reservoirs using IR-MALDEI mass spectrometry
      PI: Melanie Nicol; Co-I: David Meya, Josh Rhein, David Boulware. UMN AHC Seed Grant
      This project investigates HIV medication spatial distribution on a cellular level in brain tissue from autopsy specimens from ASTRO-CM clinical trial participants.

  • South Africa

    South Africa

    • Phased Implementation of Cryptococcal Screening in South Africa
      PIs: Nelesh Govender, David Boulware; Co-I’s: Radha Rajasingham, Tom Chiller
      This project will roll out cryptococcal antigen screening and preemptive antifungal therapy among HIV-infected persons living with AIDS nationwide in South Africa in collaboration with the South African National Institute of Communicable Diseases and U.S. CDC.

    • HIV-associated Myocardial Fibrosis, in collaboration with Univ. of Cape Town
      PIs: Jason Baker, Mpiko Ntsekhe Co-I’s: Ntobeko Ntusi, Graeme Meintjes, D Boulware
      This pilot project investigates the interaction of HIV and cardiovascular disease in a cohort combining investigations in cardiac MRI with immunologic profiling. Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation supported pilot. R01 and AHA grants submitted.

  • Tanzania

    Tanzania

    • Assessing impact of Emergency Medicine implementation in Arusha, Tanzania
    • Sensitivity of lung ultrasound in children with radiographic pneumonia.
      PI: Stephen Dunlop; Co-I, Nate Herr, Michael Rhodes. These are quality improvement initiatives aiming at improving care in a resource-limited setting. Dr. Dunlop's Grand Rounds Lecture.

    • Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium among obstetric fistula patients and impact of infection on fistula characteristics and surgical outcomes 
      PI: Kristin Chrouser; Co-I: Peter Melchert

  • Thailand

    Thailand

    • Sero-epidemiology of arboviruses and correlates of protection, Armed Forces Research Institute Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
      PI: Katie Anderson, MD PhD; Dr. Anderson conducts epidemiologic field studies of dengue and other arboviruses in Thailand via AFRIMS, spending 6 month/year on site in Bangkok. Zika transmission is a new field research project in 2016.

  • China

    China

    • HIV NIH clinical trials networks in Nanning, China, 2UM1AI069530-08
      PI: Brooks Jackson; An HIV clinical trials site in Nanning, China allows Chinese-speaking U.S. medical opportunities for HIV research at center affiliated with NIH HIV clinical trials networks for HIV prevention (HPTN), preventing mother-to- child transmission (IMPAACT)

    • Study Implementation Protocol: Factors associated with longevity in Guangxi, China
      PI: Fang Yu PhD; Study investigates factors associated with longevity and functional independence among Chinese centenarians in Guangxi.

    • Novel Therapeutic Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Infection
      PI: Louis Mansky

    • Differential miRNA profiles between HCC cases and controls, among individuals infected with HBV with BCP double mutations.
      PI: Guisheng Song

    • Secondhand smoke exposure and carcinogen uptake in elementary school children in Nanning, Guanxi.
      PI: Irina Stepanov

  • Latin America

    Latin America

    • Dengue Fever in Colombia: Improving Diagnosis
      PI: Jonathan Kirsch
      This Doris Duke fellowship site at University of the Valley (UniValle) and Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV). Cali, Colombia will enable fellows to gain experience in the following clinical research activities: Chart review, clinical site visits, statistical analysis of data from charts and collaborative work to create new diagnostic criteria. Spanish language skills are a requirement for consideration.

    • Intervention-based Family Medicine Research in Chile
      PI: Diego Garcia-Huidobro
      Current research activities include: "Development and evaluation of a parenting intervention to prevent illicit substances among Chilean youth" and "Needs assessment of family members receiving care in hospital units." Both of these projects aim to develop interventions that include the family as a unit of health. Doris Duke ICRF applicants may contact Dr. Garcia-Huidobro directly to discuss potential research activities for fellowship year.

    • Epidemiology and Outcomes of Hepatitis E in Immunocompromised Hosts in Argentina
      PI:       Jose Debes

    • Fatty Liver and Fibrosis During Immune Reconstitution of HIV-infected Patients in Argentina
      PI: Jose Debes; Co-PI’s: Domingo Balderramo, Viviana Re
      This translational hepatology research is located at Hospital Rawson, Hospital Privado, and Instituto de Virologia, in Cordoba, Argentina. Support via: American College of Gastroenterology (ACG-CR- 033-2016) and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

    • Etiologies of Febrile Illness in Rural Archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Panamá
      PI: Jonathan Kirsch in collaboration with Floating Doctors, NGO
      This project seeks to define etiologies of febrile illness and to implement a diagnostic testing algorithm using point-of-care testing strategies. The project is supported through philanthropic gift via Univ of MN Foundation.