EGHI Faculty Seed Grants

• FACULTY NAME: Jesse Waggoner (SOM / RSPH)
• PERIOD: August 26, 2024 – August 25, 2025
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Jessee Waggoner (SOM / RSPH), Shahinaz Bedri (NPHL Sudan), Ahmed Babiker (SOM), David R. Myers(SOM) , Saria Hassan (SOM), Abel Abera (AHRI) and Alemseged Abdissa (AHRI)
• COUNTRY: Sudan & Ethiopia   
• PARTNERS: Emory School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, National Public Health Laboratory, Sudan and Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Ethiopia
• PURPOSE: The purpose of this project is to implement RNA Extraction and Storage (RNAES) technology in Sudan to address the challenges of diagnosing infectious diseases during the ongoing conflict, which has displaced 10.7 million people. With limited laboratory infrastructure and a lack of diagnostic testing, the project aims to provide rapid and economical RNA extraction and stabilization at the point of care, bypassing the need for ultra-cold storage. Once extracted, the nucleic acids will be transported to a laboratory for molecular testing, with some pathogens undergoing whole genome sequencing. The project also includes training Sudanese collaborators at a workshop in Ethiopia.
• SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of this project lies in its potential to fill a critical gap in   infectious disease management in Sudan, where traditional diagnostic methods are largely unavailable due to the country’s deteriorating infrastructure. By implementing RNAES technology, the project not only provides immediate solutions for diagnosing and characterizing diseases in challenging environments, but it also builds local capacity by training Sudanese health professionals. The generation of genomic data on circulating pathogens will enable more targeted mitigation strategies, aiding in outbreak control. Additionally, the project’s deliverables, including the production of pathogen sequences and the establishment of a local diagnostic framework, will lay the groundwork for securing further funding, promoting long-term health resilience in Sudan.

• FACULTY NAME: Patricia Moreland (SON)
• PERIOD: August 26, 2024 – February 25, 2026 (18 mo)
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Patricia Moreland (SON), Jinbing Bai (SON), Susan Brasher (SON), Etienne Nsereko (UoR) and Melissa Fox Young (RSPH)
• COUNTRY: Rwanda
• PARTNERS: Emory School of Nursing, Rollins School of Public Health, University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences
• PURPOSE:The purpose of this cross-sectional pilot study is to investigate the relationship between    the gut microbiome, stunting, and neurodevelopment in children aged 6-24 months in Rwanda. Given the limited understanding of how gut microbiome diversity and composition affect stunting and neurodevelopment, this study aims to explore these interactions while controlling for major confounders such as nutrient acquisition. The findings may provide valuable insights into how gut microbiota contributes to childhood stunting and its long-term effects on growth and development.
• SIGNIFICANCE: This study is significant because stunting is a major public health issues affecting 148 million children under the age of five globally, with 40% of cases in Africa. Stunting leads to irreversible consequences such as impaired neurodevelopment, immune dysfunction, and increased mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Recent research suggests that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in mediating child growth, but its exact impact on stunting and neurodevelopment remains poorly understood. By examining this relationship, the study could uncover new avenues for interventions during the critical first thousand days of life, potentially reducing the disease burden and improving child health outcomes in LMICs.

• FACULTY NAME: Nicholas Metheny (SON)
• PERIOD: August 26, 2024 – December 25, 2025 (16 mo)
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM:  Nicholas Metheny (SON) Tania de Villiers, Dabney Evans, Trish Sheridian, Liana Hillm Rhene de Villiers, Lorna Martin, Genine Josias
• COUNTRY: South Africa
• PARTNERS: Emory School of Nursing, Rollins School of Public Health,  SA-SANE: An ADAPT-ITT Approach to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training in Western Cape, South Africa
• PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to adapt the U.S.-based Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training program to the South African context, addressing a critical gap in trauma-informed post-sexual violence care. By developing the South Africa-specific SANE (SA-SANE) curriculum, the project aims to equip Registered Nurses with the necessary skills to provide survivor-centered, evidence-led care. The program will utilize established intervention adaptation methods to ensure it is tailored to the unique cultural and clinical needs of South Africa, where formal post-sexual violence training for nurses is lacking.
• SIGNIFICANCE:This study is significant as it addresses South Africa's alarming rates of sexual violence and the current lack of specialized training for nurses who care for survivors. While clinical pathologists are the designated providers of post-violence care, their limited numbers place much of the burden on Registered Nurses, who are untrained in this area. The SA-SANE curriculum will fill this training gap, improving the quality of care for survivors and enhancing evidence collection and HIV care uptake. By implementing a trauma-informed, context-specific program, the study aims to strengthen South Africa's response to gender-based violence and improve outcomes for survivors.

• FACULTY NAME: Solveig Argeseanu Cunningham (RSPH)
• PERIOD: August 26, 2024 – February 25, 2025 (18 mo)
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Solveig Argeseanu Cunningham & Dr Melari Shisha Nongrum
• COUNTRY: India
• PARTNERS: Rollins School of Public Health & Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong
• PURPOSE: This project aims to explore the diets, food choices, and food environment of indigenous   communities in Meghalaya, focusing on the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo peoples. Through a community-based participatory research approach, the study investigates the relationship between the local food system, individual and social factors, and the evolving food environment that shapes dietary habits. The research employs mixed methods such as thematic discussions, interviews, and surveys to gather in-depth insights into how these communities navigate food-related challenges.
• SIGNIFICANCE:The significance of this project lies in its potential to address critical health issues like childhood malnutrition and anemia, which affect nearly half of Meghalaya's population. By involving the community in the research process and validating the data with participant feedback, the project aims to foster dialogues around utilizing local resources and traditional knowledge for enhancing nutritional security. This research not only highlights the value of indigenous wisdom but also paves the way for tailored intervention-based initiatives that can effectively address the unique needs of Meghalaya’s indigenous populations, contributing to their overall health and well-being.

• FACULTY NAME: Manoj Jain (RSPH)
• PERIOD: August 26, 2024 – August 25, 2025
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Manoj Jain, Salil Bhargava, Raman Arora
• COUNTRY: India
• PARTNERS: Collaboration to Eliminate Tuberculosis among Indians (CETI), Emory Compassion Center Team, NTEP of district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh (including DTO and STO), MGM Medical College Indore
• PURPOSE: The project aims to introduce a pilot Cognitive-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) program for District Tuberculosis Officers (DTOs) and staff in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. The training is designed to enhance the emotional resilience and compassion of healthcare professionals, thereby improving their well-being, patient interactions, and job satisfaction. The program will use the PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) tool to systematically assess and improve the effectiveness of the training.
• SIGNIFICANCE: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in Himachal Pradesh, India. DTOs face immense pressure, leading to burnout and reduced efficiency in patient care. The CBCT training aims to equip DTOs with cognitive and emotional tools to manage their responsibilities more effectively. This training is expected to improve their mental well-being, enhance patient care, and optimize the use of TB management protocols, contributing to the broader goal of TB elimination in India.

• FACULTY NAME: Rebecca A Gary (SON)
• PERIOD: August 15, 2023 – August 14, 2024
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Lemlem Dimisse (Addis Ababa University), Rebecca A Gary (SON), Lemlem Beza, Bekele   Alemayehu, Finot Debebe and Adamu Addisse
• COUNTRY: Ethiopia
• PARTNERS: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing; Emory University, Addis Ababa University, Department of Emergency Nursing; Department of Cardiology; Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Public Health
• PURPOSE:The project aims to address the rising incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), specifically cardiovascular disease (CVD), in Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas where healthcare resources are scarce. The focus is on training healthcare extension workers (HEWs) to effectively identify individuals at high risk of CVD using non-laboratory-based methods, such as the Framingham Risk Score, and incorporating mobile health (mHealth) tools to support these efforts.
• SIGNIFICANCE: The project is significant because it targets a major public health issue in Ethiopia— the rapid increase in CVD— by strengthening the capacity of the existing healthcare workforce (HEWs). It leverages task-sharing and mHealth tools to improve rural healthcare delivery, which can enhance disease screening, data collection, and referral processes in remote regions. If successful, it will provide a cost-effective model for CVD screening and management that can be scaled to other parts of Ethiopia, helping to address the country's NCD burden more effectively.

• FACULTY NAME: Jessica Ham (Oxford College, Anthropology), Debjani Sihi (ECAS)
• PERIOD: August 15, 2023 – August 14, 2024
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Jessica Ham (Oxford College, Anthropology), Debjani Sihi (ECOA&S), George Dakurah (Kwame Nkrumah of Science and Tech)
• COUNTRY: Ghana
• PARTNERS: Oxford College, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah
• University of Science and Technology
• PURPOSE:  The study aims to explore the relationships between agro-chemical usage (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides), soil health, food quality, and perceptions of health in northern Ghana. It examines how agro-chemicals impact environmental health, long-term food security, and human             health perceptions. By merging Western and indigenous perspectives, the research seeks to understand the pathways through which agro-chemicals contribute to soil degradation and how this affects food quality and perceptions of illness. The study uses both participatory qualitative methods and soil analysis to gain insights into these complex dynamics.
• SIGNIFICANCE: Exploration of the interconnectedness between agro-chemical usage, soil health, and human health in northern Ghana. By examining how chemical fertilizers and pesticides degrade soil and food quality, the research sheds light on long-term food security challenges. It also incorporates both Western and indigenous knowledge systems to provide a comprehensive view of environmental and human health. This approach, framed within the One Health concept, highlights the global importance of sustainable agricultural practices for both ecological and human well-being.

• FACULTY NAME: Marcos C. Schechter (SOM) and Sarita Shah (RSPH)
• PERIOD: August 15, 2023 – August 14, 2024
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Marcos C. Schechter (SOM), Sarita Shah (RSPH), Nino Lomtadzea and Mari Buziashvili
• COUNTRY: Georgia
• PARTNERS: Emory School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health and National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Tblisi, Georgia
• PURPOSE: The purpose of this proposal is to conduct a pilot study in the Country of Georgia to test the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compares personalized anti-TB drug dosing guided by therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) against standard dosing for pulmonary drug-susceptible tuberculosis (TB). This study aims to determine whether personalized dosing, based on serum drug concentrations, improves TB treatment outcomes.
• SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of this study lies in its potential to improve tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes by addressing subtherapeutic drug concentrations, a key factor contributing to    TB-related deaths. While therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has shown promise in tailoring drug doses for better results, it has not yet been tested in randomized controlled trials for TB. This study aims to fill that gap by testing personalized dosing using TDM compared to standard dosing. Additionally, it will strengthen local capacity in Georgia through training in advanced pharmacokinetic techniques, with broader implications for global TB treatment.

• FACULTY NAME: Hikari Yoshii (SOM) and Sarita Shah (RSPH)
• PERIOD: August 15, 2023 – August 14, 2024
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Hikari Yoshii (SOM), Sarita Shah (RSPH) and Kogieleum Naidoo (CAPRISA)
• COUNTRY: South Africa  
• PARTNERS: Emory School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health and Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research In South Africa (CAPRISA)
• PURPOSE: The purpose of this mentored research project is to investigate the social network structure and dynamics of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) transmission among children, adolescents, and young adults in South Africa. As tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a leading cause of death from infectious diseases globally, the burden of DR-TB is particularly high in younger populations. Despite close contact with individuals who have active TB being a known risk factor for transmission, limited research on pediatric and adolescent transmission dynamics has hindered effective prevention strategies. By employing social network analysis, this project aims to explore how homophilic social selection—where individuals form relationships with those with similar characteristics—affects DR-TB transmission. The insights gained could lead to more targeted contact investigations and improved diagnostic efficiency.
• SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of this research lies in its potential to enhance our understanding of DR-TB transmission in vulnerable populations. By focusing on the unique social network dynamics among children, adolescents, and young adults, this study could inform more effective public health interventions and strategies tailored to these age groups. Ultimately, the findings could contribute to reducing the incidence of DR-TB in South Africa, improving health outcomes for young individuals affected by this serious public health concern.

• FACULTY NAME: Shubha Setty, MD, MPH (SOM)
• PERIOD: August 15, 2023 – August 14, 2024
• AMOUNT: $20,000
• TEAM: Shubha Setty (SOM), Amida Kalombola (MSH), Tracy Bell (SON) Mattie Wolf (SOM), Isha Alibey (SON) AND Amy Rule (SOM)
• COUNTRY: Tanzania
• PARTNERS: Emory School of Medicine, Emory School of Nursing and Muhimbili National Hospital
• PURPOSE: The purpose of this project is to develop and implement an advanced neonatal              nursing curriculum for a neonatal unit at a large referral hospital in Tanzania. The aim is to          improve neonatal care quality by enhancing nursing knowledge and practices, ultimately decreasing neonatal mortality. The project is part of a global collaboration and follows a "train the trainer" model, empowering nurses to become leaders and educators in their local nursing communities.
• SIGNIFICANCE: This project is significant because it addresses the critical issue of neonatal mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), by enhancing neonatal nursing education. Prematurity is a leading cause of death and improving nursing practices can significantly impact survival rates. By implementing an advanced neonatal nursing curriculum in Tanzania, the project fills a vital gap in healthcare, empowering nurses to lead and educate others through a "train the trainer" model. Accredited by the Tanzanian Nursing and Midwifery Council (TNMC), the program ensures professional development while fostering long-term improvements in neonatal care and outcomes

• FACULTY NAME: BECKLENBERG, AMY (SON)
• PERIOD: June 1, 2022 - June 1, 2023
• AMOUNT: $20,000 
• TEAM:  Jennifer Stapel-Wax (SOM), Susan Brasher (SON), Rachel Hall-Clifford (ECAS), John Cranmer (SON),  Abebe Gebremariam (SON)
• COUNTRY: Ethiopia 
• PARTNERS: Ethiopia Ministry of Health, Directorate of Maternal and Child Health, Focal Person for Early Childhood Development (ECD); Department of Psychiatry, Addis Ababa University (AAU); Department of Pediatrics, AAU; George Washington University, School of Nursing. 
• PURPOSE: To adapt an existing curriculum (early language nutrition intervention) to align with Ethiopian clinical practice (in Amharic) based on feedback from Ethiopian subject matter experts.  
• SIGNIFICANCE:  LBW infants are particularly susceptible to neurocognitive development delays. There are no known health system level interventions being used in Ethiopia to mitigate neurocognitive developmental delays. These Ethiopia-specific discoveries can provide novel insights for expanding in similar global contexts.

• FACULTY NAME: GILLESPIE, THOMAS (ECAS)  
• PERIOD: June 1, 2022 - Dec 1, 2023 
• AMOUNT: $20,000 
• TEAM: Bethany Caruso (RSPH), Jessica Deere (ECAS) 
• COUNTRY:  Tanzania 
• PARTNERS:  Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Tanzania and it’s USAID-funded Landscape Conservation in Western Tanzania (LCWT) Project 
• PURPOSE:   To develop a multi-disciplinary, community-driven One Health platform identifying spatiotemporal factors associated with zoonotic disease spillover at the community and ecosystem level. 
• SIGNIFICANCE: Establishing a One Health Hub in the GMUE will allow us to elucidate risk factors for, and create mitigation measures to prevent, disease transmission events. This project will explore and describe the demographic and spatiotemporal dynamics of zoonotic transmission at the rural and agricultural human-animal interface. Spillover of novel pathogens from wildlife to people, such as the virus responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, is increasing & this trend is strongly associated with anthropogenic disturbance in tropical systems. 

• FACULTY NAME:  VAZQUEZ-PROKOPEC (ECAS) 
• PERIOD: June 1, 2022 - June 1, 2023 
• AMOUNT:  $20,000 
• TEAM: Lance Waller (RSPH), Oscar David Kirstein (ECAS), Pablo Manrique-Saide (Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. México), Yoosook Lee (University of Florida) 
• COUNTRY: Mexico, USA 
• PARTNERS: University of Florida, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. 
• PURPOSE: To perform an unprecedented, in-depth genome-wide analysis using whole-genome sequencing technology to evaluate Ae. aegypti genetic structure in response to an insecticide-based intervention occurring in the city of Merida, Mexico.  

• FACULTY NAME: ZEIDAN, AMY (SOM)  
• PERIOD:  June 1, 2022 - June 1, 2023 
• AMOUNT: $20,000 
• TEAM:  Roxana Chicas (SON), Randi Smith (SOM, RSPH) 
• COUNTRY: USA 
• PARTNERS:  Sur Legal Collaborative 
• PURPOSE: To explore the extent of work-related injuries among immigrant populations seeking care at Grady; and to develop hospital-based injury prevention interventions in partnership with Sur Legal Collaborative, an immigrant and worker rights non-profit based out of Atlanta, GA.  
• SIGNIFICANCE:  Work-related injury remains a high cause of morbidity among limited English proficiency (LEP) non-English speaking individuals in the United States (U.S), the majority of whom are immigrants and are more likely to work in physically demanding jobs that are hazardous. Few hospital-based workplace injury prevention interventions exist. 

Glenna Brewster, Assistant Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

This project is a collaborative relationship focused on dementia care interventions between Emory faculty and researchers at the Caribbean region’s leading health research institute and a partnering non-governmental organization focused on mental and cognitive health in Jamaica, Jamaica Mental Health Advocacy Network (JaMHAN).

Dabney P. Evans, Associate Professor and Co-Director of Graduate Studies, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Global Health

This project aims to create a beta version of myPlan for use among Brazilian populations, leading to the reduction of intimate partner violence and femicide in Brazil.

Nadine Kaslow, Professor and Vice-Chair for Faculty Development in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine

This project aims to develop and pilot test a culturally responsive, evidence-informed wellness toolkit for the healthcare workers in 4 hospitals in two large Chinese cities.

Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec, Associate Professor, Emory College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences

The goal of this project is to perform an unprecedented, in-depth characterization of the antibody response to DENV and/or ZIKV infection at the individual and population level in an endemic city.

Michael Woodworth, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine  

WE-Seq aims to collaboratively enhance Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)) genomic surveillance capacity through peer mentored research and practical workshops, and to evaluate the perception and acceptability of microbiome therapeutics with qualitative research methods.