Tropical Disease Research Program
International Research Training Workshop in Ecuador

June 1st - July 27th, Summer 2013
(Variable stays from 2 to 6 weeks)
Directed by Mario J. Grijalva, Ph.D.

- up to 15 semester credit hours -
(approximate dates, subject to change and cancellation)
Non-credit option available
Last updated on 11/08/2012 12:47 PM

Applications are open

Summary program information:

Details on activities and dates are subject to change.

International Research Training Workshop in Ecuador (Optional)
June 10 to 15, 2013.

The International Research Training Workshop evolves from 12 years of experience providing multidisciplinary training in research methodology to students from the USA, Europe and Latin America. The course takes place in the context of the efforts by the Tropical Disease Institute to combat Chagas disease in Ecuador (learn more). The course will provide participants with a solid background and skills to conduct interdisciplinary research in an international setting, while improving their Spanish language skills. This will be achieved through onsite lectures on applied research methodology and group exercises.

Tropical Disease Research Program
June 9 to July 27, 2013 (2 to 6 weeks, variable)

The Tropical Disease Research Program field activities will provide practical training on the many aspects related to multidisciplinary field research implementation within the Chagas disease research project.

Detailed description of the program

Students participate in the course work and as volunteer research assistants. Field work will be conducted in the various aspects of the project. Specific activities will depend on the component chosen by each participant and will support the main research activities of the overall project. Read more about the overall Chagas project (learn more...)

Language

The program language will be English and Ecuadorian staff will be available for translations. Spanish language knowledge is not required, but desirable.

5th International Research Training Course in Ecuador – June 10 to 15, 2013.

Who should attend: Students of any discipline that want to pursue a research career that involves international sites, collaborations, human subject recruitment, etc. Faculty that would like to initiate research programs in an international setting.

See details of this component here.

12th Tropical Disease Research Program – field activities – June 9^th to July 27^th. (Aprox)

The Tropical Disease Research Program will have several field and hospital-based components. Due to enrollment limitations in each component, applicants must indicate their preferred components and rank them. Transfer between components will be possible depending on space availability. The number of components that can be experienced will depend on the duration of stay with the program. Participation in each component will be for at least one week. Assignments will be made on a first come-first serve basis.

• See two short videos related to the field activities from Summer 2009 here and here

• See 6 part podcast series about the project here, via YouTube or iTunes (search Tropical Disease Institute's Ecuador Podcasts);

• See 4 part podcast series about the project following these links: 7, 8, 9 and 10

• See the FAQ to learn how a typical day’s schedule is and activities will take place if you are in the field.

• See the FAQ to learn how a typical day's schedule is if you are at a Hospital.

1.     Component 1 - Multidisciplinary surveys  – Entomological surveys, housing questionnaires, parasitological research and educational activities.

The objective of this component is directly related to our efforts to understand the dynamics of transmission and improve the control of the vectorial transmission of Chagas disease in rural communities. This activity will be conducted by 5 teams. These teams will be supervised by an experienced biologist from the Center for Infectious Disease Research. This component can host up to 15 participants at a time (see podcast). Teams will be distributed as follows:

• Five teams composed of two Ministry of Health field entomologists and one or two participants will visit every house within the selected communities to determine the presence of intradomestic and peridomestic triatomines. The teams conduct a housing survey and deliver an educational talk to the family about Chagas disease prevention.

• Two teams composed of two Ministry of Health field entomologists and one or two participants will search for triatomine insects in nearby sylvatic areas.

• Two teams will conduct mammal trapping in and around the houses, and in nearby sylvatic areas. These teams will have two trained Ecuadorians and one or two participants.

• One team will operate a biosafety level II field laboratory where they will conduct parasitological analysis of the triatomines and mammals collected. The field lab will have three Ecuadorian personnel and two participants.

Component 2 - Clinical Research and Primary Health care in the communities – Chagas disease screening, physical-clinical examination, clinical follow up and community education. This activity will be led by certified medical technicians and physicians from the Ministry of Health and Catholic University of Ecuador.  Up to 30 participants can take part in this component at a time.

• More details about this component can be found here.

3.     Component 3 - Clinical Research at Hospitals – This activity will be limited to MRSA testing in hospitals of Ecuador. Up to 6 participants at a time can take part on this component.

A team, led by Dr. Daniel Herman, from the Biology Department, University of Wisconsin - Euclaire will be conducing Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)  surveys at the Cuenca regional hospital located in Azuay Province.

Component 4 - Health and Development: Healthy Living - Development Against Chagas. Research and implementation interventions related to social, cultural and economic issues associated with risk factors for Chagas disease. These activities will include 5 areas:

In summer 2013, activities will include:

• Health - in addition to clinical activities, health education will be provided to different groups within the community.

• Environment - health education regarding the environment, effective use and conservation of potable water. Guides of local birds, plants and mammals will be developed that merge scientific information with local knowledge and stories.

• Economic Development - assessment to local economic entrepreneurs such as   handcraft jewelry, composting and fruit jam production.

• Housing - Detailed housing census to determine improvement needs. Research into local construction practices and materials, and cultural practices and behaviors associated with housing disposal.

• Housing model – construction and introduction of a testable model of a house resistant to chinchorros infestation.

• Water Project - Assistance in the construction of drinking and irrigation water system in one community.

• Social organization – workshops and activities aimed at improving social organization and communities’ cohesion.

• Ornithological Club: educative activities designed to encourage creative and respectful relationships between children and their environment, particularly related to bird’s identification and care.

• Communication and Development - Multimedia production - Production of videos, audio and printed materials about the project and pieces for community education.

• Culture and society - Document local legends, tales, stories, anecdotes and history to reinforce community identity. Introduction of these materials in the curriculum developed by local teachers.

The “Healthy Living Initiative” aims to implement actions related to house improvement that will eliminate the risk of transmission of Chagas Disease in Loja Province, Ecuador.  To this end the project will use existing biological and epidemiological data as the bases to guide social, economic and development research. All data gathered will be combined into a comprehensive and stepwise implementation plan that will be deployed during the next 10 years.  

 

Component 5 - Laboratory Research. A limited number of participants can prolong their stay in the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Quito. Participants will continue processing the biological samples and data collected in the field.

 

 

 Preliminary schedule for the Tropical Disease Research Program (Aprox)

Arrival and departure schedule.

Participants can choose to participate in the program at different schedules as listed in the tables below. The minimum duration of stay will be ~2 weeks, the maximum will be 5 weeks. Week 7 and 8 activities will be conducted in Quito, working at the Center for Infectious Disease Research.

Costs of participation will be calculated based on a prorated daily cost. For specific information please contact Dr. Grijalva

Proposed travel dates and arrangements should be made by the participants after accepting his/her nomination into the program and MUST be approved by the program director prior to purchase of the air tickets.

Travel from Quito to the study site will be arranged according to these dates. Travel or arrival at different times will be considered in exceptional cases and the costs associated with travel to/from Quito to the study site will not be covered by the program fee.

International Arrival and Departure Options (Subject to change)

Upon preliminary acceptance into the program, accepted participants need to indicate their preferred schedule. Assignments will be made on a first come  first serve basis. In addition to the dates listed below, a select number of participants will arrive on June 1st and depart on August 15.

* Includes 2 weeks conducting laboratory work at the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Quito.

Course information

The number of semester credits available will vary with length of participation and will match the Student's academic program needs. A non-credit option is available for non-OU students.

 

Enrollment and eligibility

This multidisciplinary program is open to students interested in international studies, health and medicine, the environment, international development, health education, international relief work, biology, engineering, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, economics, and others. Undergraduate, graduate and medical students are encouraged to apply. Special arrangements can also be made for faculty and other professionals interested in participating. Students of all higher education institutions in the United States and abroad are eligible to apply.

Enrollment is limited. Admission is determined by Dr. Grijalva based on direct communication with interested individuals. Please e-mail Dr. Grijalva, indicating your interest in participating. Since this is a research training project, admissions will be based on the interface between the applicant's interest and expertise, and the specific needs of the project.

 

Costs of the program

• Program fee  and tuition will be calculated based on the length of stay (See schedules).
• Actual costs will depend on group composition. For detailed information about costs regarding your preferred itinerary please contact Dr. Grijalva
• Current estimates based on 2012 costs. Actual costs might vary:
  • Tuition  5 OHIO credits (Up to 15 Cr) + Program fee  of $1542 to $3,921 + $150 Administrative fee
  • or Non-credit program fee of $2,650  to 5,120 + $150 administrative fee.
• Program fee and tuition will cover all participant's expenses in country:
  • food
  • lodging
  • transportation
  • logistics
  • HTH health insurance.
• Costs not covered include:
  • souvenirs, entertainment, telephone and internet access charges and other personal expenses (~$100 per week recommended)
  • food while in route  from USA to Quito to USA.
  • Costs of passport ($145), required vaccinations, bednet and Malaria Prophylaxis
  • Airline ticket cost (participants are responsible for arranging their own flight). Past participants have purchased tickets from different cities in the USA to Quito from $550 to $1200, depending on dates and airline.

  A backup credit card and/or an ATM card is a good idea in the event of unforeseen expenses. You can cash travelers checks in Quito, but are unlikely to be able to do so at most of our other destinations. Traveler’s checks are useless outside of the cities.
   

Actions required

1. Attend information meetings (See announcements above) or participate in conference calls.
2. Please e-mail Dr. Grijalva, indicating your interest in participating
3. Complete the online application (http://eais.admsrv.ohio.edu/eais/student/)
4. Students will be notified of the decision in two weeks after the receipt of their application materials.
5. A non refundable deposit will be required upon acceptance into the program. The deposit will be applied to the program costs and deducted from the participant’s bill:

 

A non-refundable deposit of $500 will be required upon acceptance into the program.  The deposit will be applied to the program costs and deducted from the participant’s bill:

OU- Participants will be sent a deposit slip with their e-mailed nomination letter and will have to pay a non-refundable deposit of $500 to the Bursar's office (Chubb Hall). Cash or check  payments accepted.

Non-OU Participants will be sent a deposit slip by mail and will return payment by check to the Office of Global Health Programs, OU-HCOM, 224 Grosvenor Hall, Athens, OH  45701.

6. Registration: Education abroad office will register participants after payment of deposit fee.

7. Once accepted, participants will be required to complete more paperwork, including registering with the U.S. Department of State and completing a Confirmation of Embassy Registration Form, completing the HTH Application, and providing documentation of immunizations, your travel itinerary and copy of your passport information page.
8. Final payment will be posted to your Ohio University Student Account and due prior to departure in Mid-May to Early June. Non-OU students must activate an OHIO email address at https://www.ohio.edu/myid after completing the Non-Degree Application and receiving a PID number from Ohio University Admissions. You WILL NOT receive an invoice by mail..

   Promotional and informational:

   • Participants will be asked to contribute with written material to be used on the Web and in other informational and promotional media

   • Consent will be asked for the use of photographs or video material depicting participants on the Web or in other media.

Useful information Podcast series about the project A series of 10 podcasts showcasing the different activities within the program. Video Updates from Summer 2009 program 1, 2, 3 A series of 3 videos in YouTube where participants narrate their experiences during the Summer 2009 program. Funding Sources for Students Listing of internal and external funding sources for participation in TDI sponsored programs. What to bring A list of suggested supplies, clothing and other items. Travelers Health Information Vaccinations required, anti-malaria prophylaxis, etc. Logistics and Safety TDI programs have an excellent safety record. See details about the logistical arrangements, email access, etc. Guidelines for Ethical Practice The OHIO-Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine has adopted the AAMC’s “Guidelines for Premedical and Medical Students Providing Patient Care During Clinical Experiences Abroad”.

Other resources Ecuador Links Information about Ecuador: News and Media, Tourism, Cities, Culture, etc. Infectious Disease Links Information about protozoan, bacterial, Viral diseases and relevant organizations