Global Infectious Diseases Research Training Program

The GIDRTP mentoring program will be led by the University at Buffalo in collaboration with Upstate Medical University and the University of the West Indies.

The program specific aims are:

1. Implement a viral infectious diseases research training program at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus in Kingston, Jamaica that will create a pool of young scientists who will address research questions related to emerging viral infections such as Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue that confront the Caribbean region.
2. Provide an integrated mentoring program that fosters innovative thinking and novel research studies for trainees that will provide insight into molecular and genomic techniques that have broad application for epidemiology, diagnosis and therapeutics and vaccine development.
3. Utilize a blend of short-term and long-term training periods that build on a curriculum and experiential training that includes a Virology Laboratory Training Core, a Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory Training Core, and an Immunology Laboratory Training Core while emphasizing responsible conduct of research, clinical research methods in virology, epidemiology of viruses in the Caribbean, developing an original research protocol, completing a research project and gaining scientific writing experience.

1. Coordinate, strengthen and jointly support global initiatives with partnering agencies worldwide and create strategic partnerships to help them develop and implement initiatives locally in response to infectious disease concerns. This will help in development of resources at the local level as well as opportunities for the local businesses internationally to carry forward the initiatives of the organization.
2. Collaborate mutually to create the infrastructure, staff, financial resources, web and social media presence, and sustainability plan to carry forward the mission of the organization.
3. Foster partnerships nationally and internationally and develop education and training initiatives
4. Expand the scope of the vision by partnering with Governments and innovative groups in the field of medicine to promote its vision and introduce new ideas in the developing countries and take novel health care initiatives where they are needed the most.
5. This joint initiative will work towards the global implementation of technologies developed by You First Services, Inc. that are targeted against infections. The initiative will similarly work towards the introduction of technologies by other companies willing to join the initiative.
6. Design a scholar program that will provide training in academic-business partnerships that work to identify implementation strategies for novel technologies in the area of Global Infectious Diseases Prevention and Treatment and develop collaborations to implement the medical care programs in the developing countries.
7. Fund the initiatives of this proposed organization through contributions from the partnering institutions with the TPRC, and grant applications submitted in response to applicable funding opportunity announcements. The ultimate goal will be towards consolidation of this organization with self-sustainable financial resources.
8. Strengthen the capacity of the international network and promote the vision and targets and promote the sustainable development through national and international cooperation, knowledge management, information and implementation of technologies and innovative medical programs.
9.  Focus on the low and middle-income countries demonstrating significant need of medical and research technologies.
10.  Work towards expansion of the participating staff and identify new areas of collaboration.

On a global basis, infectious diseases represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In particular, infections that cause malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, viral hepatitis, fungal infections and hospital-acquired infections remain significant challenges to maintaining health and well-being. In addition, the widespread use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant bacteria that are not susceptible to our available armamentarium of antibiotics.

Also of great importance is the occurrence of serious infections among individuals in resource limited countries, where the provision of health care in environments that suboptimal as far as sterile conditions (e.g. during surgery, labor and delivery) magnify the lack of antibiotic availability and lead to worse patient outcomes.An important aspect of infectious diseases is the principles that are key for preventing infections. An increasing number of reports have identified contaminated medical equipment such as indwelling and diagnostic catheters.

Therefore, efforts to prevent infection through novel sterilization techniques have gained prominence and led to an increase in research and development among biotechnology companies. In addition, an increased emphasis on global vaccination programs and research into mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance have accelerated and become important components of an overall strategy to reduce the burden of infectious diseases.

The Global Infectious Diseases and Treatment Initiative will:

• Appoint a scholar(s) who shall coordinate the implementation of this MOU, monitor progress and meet with executive team members as designated to discuss the progress biweekly. Progress reports will be created to provide periodic updates on the implementation of the goals of this partnership. The scholar(s) shall work to meet/exceed the objectives as set forth in the objectives.
• The scholar(s) will conduct global webinars and in-country biotechnology implementation workshops that will provide a forum for interfacing individual country needs in infectious disease prevention and treatment with innovative technologies in low and middle income countries. 
• The scholar(s) will work under the directions of the executive team to create worldwide partnerships with health institutions, government agencies and private organizations to create centers of excellence in respective countries.
• The scholar(s) will establish a working group to develop a plan for national and international operations and collaborations, to develop and disseminate strategies, guidelines and methods for successful implementation of the objectives.
• Based on the outcomes of these webinars and forum discussions, a regional needs assessment and business plan portfolio will be developed and paired with emerging biotechnologies that may impact Global Infectious Diseases Prevention and Treatment. This portfolio will also be presented to the SUNY Global Health Institute on conference calls and at meetings.

The GIDRTP partner YouFirst Services was established in 2013 in western New York, You First Services, Inc., has made numerous successful strides in their global initatives. Precise operations, diverse collaborations, excellence in execution, acquiring new scientific technologies have laid a strong foundation for our continued success. They have been approved as start up New York Company, an ambitious economy driven New York state project. In a short period of time, the company has been awarded with prestigious grants. You First Services has successfully introduced products in the market and is fostering global partnerships for their worldwide success.

youfirstservices.com