# Training in HIV Genomics, Treatment, and Cure Research in Botswana

> **NIH NIH D43** · HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · 2024 · $202,400

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
The goal of this proposal is to provide research training in HIV genomic, treatment, and cure research at the
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP), building on advances in laboratory research and clinical
trial infrastructure at BHP that support training opportunities in the most advanced HIV laboratory techniques
and study designs in the region. The environment at BHP offers a host of research opportunities for trained
researchers in Botswana, matching current research activities of the faculty mentors and key partners working
at the Botswana site. BHP is a partnership is between the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and the
Ministry of Health (MOH) in Botswana (and the University of Botswana), and the largest HIV/AIDS research
organization in Botswana (and one of the largest in Africa). The long-term goals and objectives of this Fogarty
training program are to continue training research leaders who can take responsibility for BHP within the next
5–10 years, and researchers who can become academic faculty at the University of Botswana (UB) and HIV
experts at MOH. Botswana currently has the third-highest prevalence of HIV in the world for adults (21%), but
has also had the highest rate of antiretroviral drug treatment (ART) for patients with HIV (over 90%), and BHP
has led efforts to support the treatment program with cutting-edge research in resistance and other genomic
work, supported by Fogarty trainees. This work is now extending into the realm of HIV cure research, and into
the intersection between HIV and SARS-CoV-2; BHP is now an internationally recognized center for research
to understand the relationship between new SARS-CoV-2 variant emergence and the HIV epidemic. The
training faculty at Harvard and at BHP will focus their ongoing efforts on keeping Fogarty trainees at the
forefront of genomics, treatment, and cure research and strengthening training opportunities that are not
available elsewhere in the region. We have requested funds for 2 predoctoral and 3 postdoctoral positions
each year. We estimate that we will train about 18 trainees over 5 years, allowing for multiple years for each
PhD candidate and some postdoctoral fellows, and assuming several short-term trainees could fill a single
annual training slot. Stipends will be based on current degrees and research experience. All trainees would
have at least a BSc degree. We estimate that about half will be physicians with clinical experience. Some will
be postdoctoral fellows who have PhD’s in a related area but no experience in HIV research. Each trainee will
have a primary mentor. Selection of trainees is based on previous academic performance, references,
experience, and assurance that the candidates will return to participate in HIV research in Botswana. The
quality of the program will be monitored by a Training Advisory Committee composed of experts from the US
and the southern African region. The success of the training program will be ju...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10807047
- **Project number:** 5D43TW009610-12
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD UNIVERSITY D/B/A HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** SHAHIN LOCKMAN
- **Activity code:** D43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $202,400
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-08-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10807047

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10807047, Training in HIV Genomics, Treatment, and Cure Research in Botswana (5D43TW009610-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10807047. Licensed CC0.

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