International Research in Africa

The UCSF Medical School and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) have established a one-year mentored International Clinical Research Fellowship program for medical students. These opportunities are based in Africa, and are ideal for second and third-year medical students considering international clinical research as a possible career path.

One of the fastest growing areas of interest among students is in the area of international research. UCSF has a very active international research infrastructure including Global Health Sciences and the Office of International Programs.

Our philosophy for this program is that we will only place students in international sites run on a daily basis by senior UCSF faculty, and which have a proven track record in training students, residents and fellows. One or more UCSF faculty must be on site at all times. Prospective students will be required to choose from one of the sites and Principal Investigators (PIs) listed below. Students wishing to perform international research will be directed to contact their PI of interest from our list and submit a research proposal prepared with that PI that will be reviewed as part of their initial application.

Clinical Research Opportunities in Africa

UCSF has a large and growing clinical research infrastructure in Africa. Major collaborative projects have been established at sites in Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe (see summary of relevant institutional research collaborations and opportunities for more details). Major areas of research interest include HIV, HIV and co-infections, malaria, and sexually transmitted infections. UCSF has been very active in the training of UCSF medical students interested in working in Africa. Over the last several years many UCSF medical students have worked on UCSF sponsored projects in Africa, including 6 students as part of the DDCF program. Projects have included developing genotyping methods for tracking malaria parasites, immunologic correlates of clinical malaria and interactions between HIV and malaria.

View descriptions of research projects

Stipend & Benefits

This program will provide interested medical students with an opportunity to take one year off from formal coursework to perform mentored clinical research in Africa. The package will include a $28,000 stipend, health insurance, course fees, relocation, visas etc., as well as research funds for the following year.

Eligibility

Medical students from UCSF and other US medical schools who meet the eligibility requirements of the domestic Clinical Research Fellowship program will be eligible to apply for the International CRF program.

Requirements

Overall, we expect students to be at UCSF for July, August and some or all of September. We expect them to return to UCSF for all of May and June, such that they will concentrate their international work between September and April. With approval from the program director, these dates may be modified. Our international students will begin their fellowship July 1st and will continue to develop their project with their PI. In August and early September they will take Designing Clinical Research (DCR) (EPI 150.03), Responsible Conduct in Research (online) and Pathway to Discovery Project Development (Globl Hlth 103) courses provided to all International DDCF students. The "homework" for DCR is the design of a research project, and many of the DDCF students use the course to refine and finalize the design of their project. The course provides instruction in developing a clinical research question and creating a concise protocol that includes a literature review, study design, subject recruitment and sampling, instruments and other measurement approaches, sample size, consent form, budget and timetable. Each student reviews and supports the work of colleagues. The course closely follows the textbook Designing Clinical Research, by S. Hulley and other UCSF faculty. Students also take a course called "Responsible Conduct of Research". Trainees learn through case discussions how to identify and resolve common ethical dilemmas that arise in clinical research, how research on human subjects is regulated by the federal government, and what constitutes research misconduct. Trainees resolve the ethical considerations involved in the research protocol they develop in the Designing Clinical Research course. This course meets the NIH requirements for training in research ethics.

Timeline

• Official Start Date is July 1
• Instruction/Preparation Phase: July through Mid-Sept
• International Phase: Mid-Sept through April
• Return/Wrap-up Phase: May-June

Application Procedures

Please note that research projects using animals is strictly prohibited by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Initially, interested students MUST complete a non-binding Letter of Intent by December 2, 2011. Additionally, interested students must complete the Doris Duke Common Application Package. The deadline is January 12, 2012. Please note: we do not interview applicants.

Items 1-6 below are to be submitted on-line when you submit the Doris Duke Common Application Package.

1. Completion of the online common application form
2. A letter of support from the Dean's office of the medical school in which you are currently matriculated.
3. Two letters of support from faculty who can comment on your academic performance and potential for clinical research
4. A personal statement explaining why you want to do research
5. A copy of your curriculum vitae
6. A copy of your medical school transcript

UCSF Supplemental Application Requirements: The online Supplemental Application Form is REQUIRED and must be received by 5:00pm (PST) on January 17, 2012.

The required supplemental application materials include the following:

• Research Plan Title (should not exceed 255 characters, including spaces)
• Research Plan Summary (should not exceed 250 words, or approximately 1/3 of a single spaced page)
• Research Proposal (limited to 2,100 words or less or approximately three single-spaced pages. The plan should be divided into three sections: a) Research question, b) Background, and c) Study design) (You should work closely with your mentor on writing the research plan).
• Research Plan Citations (should not exceed 700 words, or approximately one single-spaced page)
• Mentor Endorsement This part of the supplemental application must be completed by the proposed mentor(s).

See the list of available mentors. Students are not limited to those listed here, but proposed mentors must be UCSF Faculty.

Detailed instructions are provided for each of the first six items listed above required by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in the Common Application Package. Read the FAQs before starting to prepare your application for helpful guidance on questions about the program, application process and eligibility, as well as for students who are considering applying to schools at which they are not matriculated.

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