# Training West African Public Health and Clinical Research Professionals to Conduct Pan-Pathogen Surveillance Using Sustainable and Effective Genetic, Molecular, and Serological Approaches (TWA-PPPSA)

> **NIH NIH D43** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2024 · $248,793

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The Global Alliance for Preventing Pandemics has a long and productive history collaborating
with scientists, clinicians, and academics from Mali, Liberia, and many other countries in the
Global South. Recently, we have codified a workforce development program to train people to
use best technical practices developed by the group at Columbia University to more efficiently,
quickly, and economically identify and contain pathogen outbreaks. In this proposal we set forth
the plans to move the successful New York-based training to Bamako at USTTB so the Mali
professionals may replicate the training experience for their neighbors in West Africa. Further, we
have identified the need for training in the broad field of Scientific Writing which includes
presenting data to inform governmental decision-makers with posters, reports, data papers, and
funding proposals. Our goal is to build capacity in Mali and neighboring countries such as Liberia
to increase the written communication skills of public health scientists at all levels. And lastly, we
propose to create a Master of Science in molecular biology at USTTB to help build a cohort of
well-trained and local technical staff dedicated to fighting infectious disease in the region. We
believe this multi-tier approach of integrated workforce development, professional development,
and traditional academic programs will help retain talent and ensure the next generation of senior
technical leadership will be better prepared for unexpected outbreaks across the region. And
lastly, we believe that after demonstrating success in Mali, we will be able to replicate the
approach in other regions in need of short, medium, and long-term education and workforce
development and retention strategies so they may achieve medical and healthcare independence
as outlined in the International Health Regulations of 2005.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10899280
- **Project number:** 1D43TW012737-01
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** SEYDOU DOUMBIA
- **Activity code:** D43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $248,793
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10899280

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10899280, Training West African Public Health and Clinical Research Professionals to Conduct Pan-Pathogen Surveillance Using Sustainable and Effective Genetic, Molecular, and Serological Approaches (TWA-PPPSA) (1D43TW012737-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10899280. Licensed CC0.

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