# Patient-Oriented Research in Global Cardiovascular Diseases and Interactions with HIV

> **NIH NIH K24** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2024 · $126,020

## Abstract

ABSTRACT: The goals of this K24 application are for Dr. Robert Peck to train physician-scientists in the
conduct of patient-oriented cardiovascular disease (CVD) research in East Africa, and to conduct a new study
of novel biomarkers predicting the onset of diastolic dysfunction of the heart (Aim 1). The candidate has lived
and conducted research in Tanzania for the past 15 years. He helped to establish a new medical college and
developed longstanding partnerships with leading research organizations in Tanzania (MITU) and Kenya
(KWTRP). These partnerships, with the ongoing research studies, provide him with an outstanding research
environment to study CVD in the context of Africa while also training a cadre of young investigators. The
training that he offers leverage 3 NIH R01 funded projects in Tanzania (Aims 2-4), foundation awards (Aim 5),
and a newly funded CVD research project in Kenya (Aim 6). United States (US) trainees from Weill Cornell
Medicine will be supported by NIH T32 training grants and spend ~50% of their time at research sites in East
Africa, which have longstanding international collaborators and excellent research training environments. East
African trainees will be supported by two NIH D43 training grants and institutional funds. The common theme is
that all of the research projects have patient-oriented research on CVD as the focus, with an emphasis on
interactions with HIV, and will serve as vehicles for mentored research training. The specific aims include:
1. Biomarkers for incident diastolic dysfunction in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Tanzania
2. HIV, sleep, nocturnal blood pressure, and CVD in Tanzania
3. A cluster randomized trial of engaging religious leaders to reduce blood pressure in Tanzania
4. Reducing post-hospital mortality related to severe hypertension in Tanzania
5. Causes and consequences of hypertension in adolescents in Tanzania
6. Point-of-care risk stratification for community-centered hypertension treatment in Kenya
The focus of research training will be on a diverse pool of clinical trainees, ranging from residents to fellows to
clinical faculty. The candidate has a strong track record of mentoring patient-oriented researchers in Tanzania
and participates in multiple private and NIH sponsored research fellowships at Weill Cornell. Trainees will
participate in research projects in Tanzania (Aims 1-5) and also in Kenya (Aim 6). Trainees learn through the
conduct of their mentored research project and partnerships with colleagues from the US and East Africa on
related studies. The K24 award will enable the candidate to decrease his administrative responsibilities and
commit at least 25% effort to CVD research mentorship of US and Tanzanian trainees. As part of the K24, he
will pursue formal training in mentorship as well as strengthening his skills in translational biomarker research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10895562
- **Project number:** 5K24HL170902-02
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert N Peck
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $126,020
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-01 → 2028-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10895562

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10895562, Patient-Oriented Research in Global Cardiovascular Diseases and Interactions with HIV (5K24HL170902-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10895562. Licensed CC0.

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