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OUR MISSION
"The Tropical Disease
Institute at Ohio University seeks to improve the health
status of underserved populations through sustainable and
comprehensive research, service and educational initiatives
related to infectious diseases."
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TDI Guiding
Principles
The Institute promotes
multi-national and multi-disciplinary collaborations
forged among researchers, health-care professionals,
public health leaders and educators in the pursuit
of comprehensive strategies to eliminate or minimize
the effects of infectious diseases on populations.
The Institute is committed to the development of
sustainable, locally-based programs with active
participation of the people in the communities, that
apply state of the art technology to prevent or
minimize the effects of infectious diseases. |
About
TDI
The Tropical Disease Institute
was founded in 1987 by a group of visionary scientists that
wanted to pull in their combine expertise and resources
towards the improvement of the life of the people in disease
endemic areas.
 Training
of students:
Since its initiation, TDI faculty have provided training to
students from the USA and developing countries at the
undergraduate and graduate levels. The Institute's education
abroad programs were initiated in 1995. Ever since then,
more than 180 students from more than 20 universities in the
USA, Europe, New Zealand and other countries have
participated in the workshops and research training programs
carried out in Ecuador.
 Research
projects: TDI's research projects have included
immunoparasitological studies in experimental mouse models
of Chagas disease, vectorial competence of mosquitoes to
transmit Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis and Rift Valley
Fever virus, safety of the blood supply, Chagas disease
epidemiology in Ecuador and in the USA, among others.
 The
contributions of TDI: Faculty and students
have been instrumental in the initiation of a Chagas disease
control and T. cruzi blood screening programs
in Ecuador. The blood bank initiative has lead to a major
improvement of the safety of the blood supply in Ecuador.
These endeavors have had a major impact on the lives of the
Ecuadorian people.
 Our
partnerships: Ecuador has been the focus of TDIs
international activities. A close network of collaborators
has been established with governmental and non-governmental
organizations in the country. A cooperation agreement with
Catholic University of Ecuador, one of the most prestigious
universities in Ecuador, has allowed for the creation of
tangible research infrastructure in the country and the
implementation of ambitious and successful research, service
and education programs. |
