Grant Chen, MD, MBA, FASA
Ecuador Sin Dolor
Ecuador
This project is designed to improve equitable access to evidence-based pain care in Ecuador by training local physicians in ultrasound guided pain management and embedding a sustainable pain education curriculum within a new residency program in Guayaquil. This capacity-building initiative is currently in development.
Jayhun Lee, PhD
Evaluation of Foldoscope & Microfluidics Diagnostics as a low-cost point of care (POC), and Environmental Mapping for Community-led Schistosomiasis Control: A Pilot Study
Nigeria
This project advanced community-based schistosomiasis control in rural Nigeria by screening and treating hundreds of individuals, deploying innovative low-cost diagnostic tools, and using drone based environmental mapping to identify high risk snail habitats. By pairing treatment with local workforce training and community-driven prevention strategies, the initiative strengthened sustainable approaches to reducing reinfection and improving long-term disease control.
Serwaa S. Omowale, PhD, LMSW, MPH
An Analysis of Factors Driving Teenage Pregnancy in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
South Africa
This project is examining the social, cultural, and structural factors driving early and late teenage pregnancy in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using mixed methods to inform more effective, age-appropriate prevention strategies. Data collection and analysis are currently underway, with findings expected to guide future community informed interventions and policy efforts to improve adolescent reproductive health.
Andrea Ramírez Varela, MD, MPH, PhD
The Global Observatory for Physical Activity – GoPA! And the Global Observatory for Physical Education – GoPE! – UT GoPA!-GoPE! Summit
Houston, TX
This project will convene global leaders in physical activity and physical education through a hybrid summit to strengthen international collaboration, share emerging surveillance data, and advance evidence informed policy and research. The initiative is currently in development, with activities and outcomes to be realized through the future GoPA!–GoPE! Summit.
Irene Stafford, MD, MS, MPH
Spotting Syphilis: A dual Point-of-Care Syphilis Screening Initiative in a Low-Resource Healthcare Setting
Guatemala
This project expanded access to compassionate sexual health care for women in Guatemala by integrating HIV and syphilis screening, counseling, and treatment within trusted community settings. By partnering with local volunteers and organizations, the initiative strengthened prevention of maternal and congenital infections while demonstrating how culturally grounded, patient centered care can improve health outcomes and dignity in resource limited communities
Priya Weerasinghe, MD, MSc, PhD
Sri Lanka Externship Video: Expanding Access for Students Unable to Attend in Person
Sri Lanka
This project aims to develop a high quality, on location video series documenting Ayurvedic and other complementary medicine practices in Sri Lanka to strengthen medical education around cultural competence, drug–herb interactions, and patient centered care. This curriculum resource is currently in development and will be integrated into medical student global health training upon completion.