학술논문
The Next Generation Scientist program: capacity-building for future scientific leaders in low- and middle-income countries.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Pillai G; CP+ Associates GmbH, Basel, Switzerland.; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Chibale K; Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D), South African Medical Research Council Drug Discovery and Development Research Unit and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Constable EC; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.; Keller AN; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland. akiko.keller@novartis.com.; Gutierrez MM; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland.; Mirza F; Novartis, Basel, Switzerland.; Sengstag C; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.; Masimirembwa C; African Institute of Biomedical Science & Technology, Harare, Zimbabwe.; Denti P; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Maartens G; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Ramsay M; Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.; Ogutu B; University of Strathmore and Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.; Makonnen E; Center For Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; Gordon R; Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.; Ferreira CG; D'or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.; Goldbaum FA; Leloir Institute Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina.; Degrave WMS; Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.; Spector J; Novartis, Cambridge, USA.; Tadmor B; Novartis, Cambridge, USA.; Kaiser HJ; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Source
Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101088679 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1472-6920 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14726920 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Med Educ Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
Background: Scientific and professional development opportunities for early career scientists in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) are limited and not consistent. There is a disproportionately low number of biomedical and clinical researchers in LMIC's relative to their high burden of disease, a disparity that is aggravated by emigration of up to 70% of scientists from their countries of birth for education and employment elsewhere. To help address this need, a novel University-accredited, immersive fellowship program was established by a large public-academic-private network. We sought to describe the program and summarize progress and lessons learned over its first 7-years.
Methods: Hallmarks of the program are a structured learning curriculum and bespoke research activities tailored to the needs of each fellow. Research projects expose the scientists to state-of-the-art methodologies and leading experts in their fields while also ensuring that learnings are implementable within their home infrastructure. Fellows run seminars on drug discovery and development that reinforce themes of scientific leadership and teamwork together with practical modules on addressing healthcare challenges within their local systems. Industry mentors achieve mutual learning to better understand healthcare needs in traditionally underserved settings. We evaluated the impact of the program through an online survey of participants and by assessing research output.
Results: More than 140 scientists and clinicians from 25 countries participated over the 7-year period. Evaluation revealed strong evidence of knowledge and skills transfer, and beneficial self-reported impact on fellow's research output and career trajectories. Examples of program impact included completion of post-graduate qualifications; establishment and implementation of good laboratory- and clinical- practice mechanisms; and becoming lead investigators in local programs. There was a high retention of fellows in their home countries (> 75%) and an enduring professional network among the fellows and their mentors.
Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates an example for how multi-sectoral partners can contribute to scientific and professional development of researchers in LMICs and supports the idea that capacity-building efforts should be tailored to the specific needs of beneficiaries to be maximally effective. Lessons learned may be applied to the design and conduct of other programs to strengthen science ecosystems in LMICs.
Methods: Hallmarks of the program are a structured learning curriculum and bespoke research activities tailored to the needs of each fellow. Research projects expose the scientists to state-of-the-art methodologies and leading experts in their fields while also ensuring that learnings are implementable within their home infrastructure. Fellows run seminars on drug discovery and development that reinforce themes of scientific leadership and teamwork together with practical modules on addressing healthcare challenges within their local systems. Industry mentors achieve mutual learning to better understand healthcare needs in traditionally underserved settings. We evaluated the impact of the program through an online survey of participants and by assessing research output.
Results: More than 140 scientists and clinicians from 25 countries participated over the 7-year period. Evaluation revealed strong evidence of knowledge and skills transfer, and beneficial self-reported impact on fellow's research output and career trajectories. Examples of program impact included completion of post-graduate qualifications; establishment and implementation of good laboratory- and clinical- practice mechanisms; and becoming lead investigators in local programs. There was a high retention of fellows in their home countries (> 75%) and an enduring professional network among the fellows and their mentors.
Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates an example for how multi-sectoral partners can contribute to scientific and professional development of researchers in LMICs and supports the idea that capacity-building efforts should be tailored to the specific needs of beneficiaries to be maximally effective. Lessons learned may be applied to the design and conduct of other programs to strengthen science ecosystems in LMICs.