# Siyakhula: Growing HIV/TB Research Knowledge for Growing Healthy Kids in Eswatini

> **NIH NIH D43** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $302,788

## Abstract

Program Summary/Abstract
In collaboration with the University of Eswatini and the Eswatini Ministry of Health (including national HIV and
TB programs), Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) will conduct training in HIV/AIDS research methods with a
focus on pediatrics and Tuberculosis (TB) co-morbidity. Other key partners include The University of Texas
School of Public Health (UTHealth SPH) who will support and mentor long-term trainees during Public Health
Masters and Doctoral level studies. Our collaborative HIV/TB training program will train i) three doctoral
candidates to become Independent Investigators in clinical and translational research focusing on HIV/TB in
pediatric (infants, children, and adolescents) populations, and ii) two in-country cohorts of public health trainees
to become Associate Investigators in child health research. The training capitalizes on a novel Eswatini-US dual
mentoring strategy to ensure retention, success, and relevance of research conducted by US-based long-term
Siyakhula Scholars. Long-term Siyakhula Scholars will enroll in UTHealth SPH to earn a PhD or DrPH and
conduct thesis activities in Eswatini engaging in-country Siyakhula Scholars and mentors. We will employ a
"teach-back" approach in which the long-term trainees participate in Eswatini-based training forums to develop
teaching skills and strengthen partnerships with in-country scholars. Our goal is to strengthen clinical research
capacity in Eswatini while simultaneously producing high-quality researchers who will successfully transition to
independence, obtain independent funding and lead national efforts to end the HIV/TB epidemic, now the leading
infectious causes of mortality globally. We have developed a training plan that has adapted to today's HIV
research priorities appropriately focused on TB specific comorbidity while being aligned with the Eswatini
National Research Strategy and priorities of the US NIH and Fogarty International Center. Building on our past
successes, we will train the next generation of HIV scientists in four essential programmatic areas including
epidemiology, biostatistics and bio-informatics, behavioral science and health promotion, and health systems
management and policy. We will develop capacity in these cornerstones of multidisciplinary clinical and
translational research by accomplishing the following specific aims: 1) Capitalize on existing pediatric HIV
expertise to enhance investigation of HIV/TB co-affected children and provide long-term training to produce
Independent Emaswati Investigators in the most recent advances in the fields of epidemiology, biostatistics &
bio-informatics, behavioral science & health promotion, and health systems management & policy; 2) Provide
intensive in-country training in Child Health Applied Research Methods to well-qualified Siyakhula Scholars from
partner institutions in Eswatini; 3) Support local research infrastructure and the existing research community
while enriching the enviro...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241841
- **Project number:** 1D43TW011547-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** ANNA M MANDALAKAS
- **Activity code:** D43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $302,788
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-12 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241841

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241841, Siyakhula: Growing HIV/TB Research Knowledge for Growing Healthy Kids in Eswatini (1D43TW011547-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241841. Licensed CC0.

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