News | Emory School of Medicine

Check out what's going on with EN-RTP's Trainees and how they are impacting their respective communities, sharing their research, insights and connecting with the EN-RTP community.

DECEMBER 5-7, 2023 4th Annual EN-RTP Orientation Meeting

EN-RTP leadership hosted it's 5th Annual Orientation Meeting in Lagos, Nigeria. In attendance were local and international leadership, mentors, and cohort 3 and 4 trainees. Cohort 3 trainees were awarded Certificates of Completion for their successful completion of the program nad cohort 4 trainees were given an opportunity to present their research progress and respective successes to date. Additionally, presentations were given on good practice presentation techniques, grant writing, mentorship, the professional use of social media, panel discussions, and more!

Special Announcement Dr. Akinsolu Accepted into FIMP

The Fogarty International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (Fogarty-IeDEA) Mentorship Proagm (FIMP) is an additional training opportunity open to EN-RTP's current and former trainees. FIMP was designed to create training opportunities for IeDEA programs located in low- and middle-income countries. It expounds on the development of trainees' research skillset, building upon the HIV research infrastructure of IeDEA.

Dr. Folahanmi T. Akinsolu, former EN-RTP trainee and current mentor, has been seleted to join the 2024-2025 class of FIMP trainees.

Congratulations, Dr. Akinsolu!

Dr. Azuka Patrick Okwuraiwe Presents at Science Seminar Series

On November 17, 2023, Dr. Azuka Patrick Okwuraiwe presented virtually at the Atlanta Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS)/Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) Combined Cohort Study Science Seminar Series. On a quarterly basis, the investigative team of the Atlanta MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study hosts it's science seminar series, inviting guest researchers with the focus of HIV to share their research insights. Dr. Okwuraiwe's presentation was titled, “Interaction Between Antiretroviral Therapy and Female Sex Hormones in Women Living with HIV in Nigeria: Implication in Menopause and Aging".

NIH Fogarty International Center Hosts Networking Event for D43 and K Trainees

On October 2, 2023, the NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC) hosted it's, "FIC [HIV Research Training] HIVRT D43 Trainees and K Grantees Network Meeting". The purpose of this virtual meeting is to allow trainees and grantees to present their ongoing resarch as well as network amongst their peers, relevant stakeholders, and potential collaborators.

Two EN-RTP Trainees in attendance, Drs. Kehinde Umeizudike and Oluseye Ajayi, had the opportunity to present their respective research in progress during the meeting. Specifically, Dr. Umeizudike presented, "Predictors of Peridontitis Among Women Living with HIV Infection in Lagos Nigeria". Additionally, Dr. Ajayi presented, "Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prediction Function and Correlates Among People With and Without HIV in Plateau State Nigeria".

NIMR Hosts Training for Cohort 4 EN-RTP Trainees

On September 27, 2023, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) hosted a training titled, "Responsible Conduct of Research and Ethics Training Course" for EN-RTP's Cohort 4 Trainees. This training is designed to meet the requirements outlined by the NIH to promote and encourage the practice of ethical and responsibly conducted science. EN-RTP's programmatic focus is on research involving persons infected and/or impacted by HIV, a vulnerable population, making this training of the upmost importance for our early-career investigators preparing for independent investigatory careers.

June 19-23, 2023 EN-RTP Hosts 2023 Summer Workshop in Nigeria

Annually, the Summer Workshop is put together for current trainees, allowing trainees to engage with each other, programmatic leadership, mentor, and international collaborators (The Community, Home-Based Education, Screening Services [The CHESS], international epidemiology Database to Evaluate AIDS [IeDEA], University of Bordeaux, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research [NIMR]).

June 12, 2023 Workshop to Elevate Writing Practices

Hannah Nicol hosts a workshop for trainees internationally (Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Vietnam) to discuss opportunities for utilizing tools to elevate writing practices. Specifically, Hannah gives insight into the use of Grammarly, AI, and automated writing evaluation tools mindfully during scientifi manuscript and grant writing processes. The workshop was designed to elevate and streamline scientific research writing practices through skillful use of technology including critical output evaluation, independent thinking, and active learning.

June 7, 2023 Networking Workshop

Hannah Nicol hosts a workshop for trainees internationally (Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Vietnam) to discuss the importancce of networking as well as tips for effectively communicating a self-introduction. Hannah shares how to perfect an introductory elevator pitch, touching on all of the pertinent points, whether you have only a minute in person or are conversing electronically following the initial meeting.

April 26, 2023 Dr. Kehinde Okunade presents "Securing NIH Funding from Fogarty Fellowship to K43" Recent EN-RTP alumni shares insight related to applying for funding with peers.

Dr. Okunade, a recent graduate of the EN-RTP program, shared his personal experiences and advice for securing NIH funding with his programmatic peers. Via Zoom, Dr. Okunade gave attendees a look into his funding history, including research grants and miscellaneous grants for equipment and travel. Examples of acuqired reserach grants include a Fogarty Global Healh Fellowship awarded in 2018 and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Global Cancer Disparities Pilot Grant awarded in 2021. Dr. Okunade relayed to his peers the benefits of taking advantage of funding opportunities which are especially fitting to their needs and interests as well as elements of the application to be mindful of in order to be a successful, competitive candidate.

Dr. Oluseye Ajayi Presents at 2023 Sex Differences in Immunity Gordon Research Conference

The 2023 Sex Differences in Immunity Gordon Research Conference was held April 2-7, 2023, in Ventura, California. The purpose of the conference is to present cutting-edge and unpublished research to promote discussion and engagement amongst researchers in various levels of their respective careers.

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, Dr. Ajayi, Cohort 3 Trainee, presented, "Sex Differences in Cumulative Incidence, Incidence Rate and Treatment Outcome of Clinically Diagnosed Hypertension Among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Two HIV Clinics in Nigeria".