The Quartery Newsletter for the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 - Oct, 2018 Inside This Issue MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit transfers to London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Director’s Comments Unit commissions new Research Centre Government pledges to support HIV Vaccine development About the VIG in Uganda INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FIELDWORKERS (ICF) WORKSHOP State of the art Video Conference facility set up in Entebbe ENTEBBE SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE IN MRC’s FECTIVAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH REFLECTION ON MY INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE AT MRC/UVR & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit Editorial Dear Readers, Welcome to this edition of the Heartbeat. Uganda has made giant strides in the fight against HIV and one of the latest initiatives by the Government is the Presidential Fast Track Initiative to end AIDS as a public health threat in Uganda by 2030. We bring you the story of what transpired at an event in Kalungu district to launch the initiative in Central Buganda region, where the Unit’s efforts in supporting the Government in trying to understand the HIV epidemic by setting up its first field site in Kyamulibwa, Kalungu District were recognized. The Unit’s transfer to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine took place in February 2018, following preparations at different levels. To commemorate the transfer, the Unit held a series of meetings and activities that climaxed in a stakeholders’ event in Entebbe and breaking ground for construction of a new state of the art research clinic. We bring you this story from the event held in Entebbe. Technology is fast evolving and with it, the increased ability to manage tasks that were previously considered daunting and time consuming. In this bid, the Unit recently installed a state of the art video conferencing facility in Entebbe, thereby reducing on the need for people to physically travel for meetings. Read about this new development and how you can benefit from it. A picture is worth a thousand words, we therefore bring you a range of photos from the event to commemorate the Unit transfer to the LSHTM in Entebbe, to the cultural gala held at the Masaka field station that was not only a display of elegant traditional dressing, but also an exhibition of mouthwatering dishes from across the country. Enjoy this edition and we look forward to receiving your input and feedback. God bless you all, Pamela N. Wairagala Communications and Engagement Officer 1 | Heartbeat The Quartery Newsletter for the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit transfers to London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine The MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit (the Unit) commemorated the transfer to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) on 11 May and unveiled its new name; the Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit. The event was officiated by the Minister of State for Health in charge of General Duties, Hon. Sarah Opendi who represented the Minister of Health and commended both the MRC-UK and the LSHTM for supporting research in Uganda and reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing funding towards research. “On behalf the Uganda government and on my own behalf, I would like to extend our gratitude to the MRC-UK and the LSHTM for supporting medical research in Uganda, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS which has contributed to and informed treatment and care policies in the country”. She further commented “As the Unit expands its areas of research to address emerging health issues such as Endemic, Neglected, Emerging and Re-emerging Infections; and Non-Communicable Diseases, we pledge our support as government ensure that research work in those areas is adequately funded”. Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, Director UVRI and MRC/UVRI and LSHTM commended the MRC-UK for the funding towards the Unit, which has enabled the Unit to conduct groundbreaking research. “The Unit has conducted various research, particularly on HIV/AIDS since 1989 and has contributed an incredible amount to the available body of knowledge, both nationally and globally. All this would not have been possible without the funding that we have received over the years from the MRC-UK”, he said. He further noted the opportunities that the transfer would avail researchers at both institutions, “We are excited to join the LSHTM and are optimistic about the numerous opportunities the partnership will provide to research teams both at the Unit and at the School. The transfer not only offers a wider platform for our researchers to train, practice and collaborate, but increases capacity and access to resources to undertake more cutting-edge medical research”. Prof Kaleebu added that he was grateful to the UK government for the agreement to fund a new research centre to aid scientific research and at the same function ground was broken to pave way for construction of the centre near the Entebbe based facility. Speaking on behalf of the British High Commission in Uganda, Mr. Peter West, the High Commissioner reiterated the value of the work conducted by the Unit. “Through the MRC- UK, the UK tax payers have supported the Unit’s work in Uganda for the last 30 years. I am glad to note that this continued funding has been possible because the UK government acknowledges the good use and value for money exhibited by the Unit”, he noted. Professor Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine noted that the transfer of the Unit to LSHTM would increase opportunities for research on global health issues. “The new partnership presents major opportunities for both institutions’ staff and research output. Our School becomes more global than ever and increases The Quartery Newsletter for the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS Heartbeat | 2 its access to research facilities and skilled researchers based ‘on-the Director’s Comments ground’, while the Unit will reap Welcome to this edition of the Newsletter, the first after the official the added benefit of LSHTM’s commemoration of the transfer of the Unit to the London School of global reputation and wide-ranging Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and subsequent name change to MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. I convey my gratitude expertise. By working even more to all of the staff that participated in the transfer activities as well as closely together, innovative and in preparation for the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting. As collaborative research projects can part of the activities to commemorate the transfer to LHTM, ground was be developed, which are needed to broken for the construction of a £800,000 research clinic funded by the tackle major global health issues.” Wellcome Trust and UK Medical Research Council. Construction of the research center will soon commence. The event was attended by staff, Following recommendations from the Scientific Advisory Committee funding and research partners, (SAC) and agreement from management, we have introduced new Themes and Sections, and modified one programme as follows; representatives from regulatory Themes; 1) HIV and Emerging Infections, 2) Vaccines and Immunity and authorities, local leaders as well as 3) Chronic Diseases and Cancer. The Unit’s science will be delivered policy makers and was the climax of through the following six Programmes, feeding into each Theme; this year’s 2-day Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting. Programme Lead person 1. The HIV Intervention Programme (this takes care of the HIV Care, ART and Prof Phillippe Mayaud (Start date to be Prevention, HIV Epidemiology). advised) 2. Pathogen Genomics, Phenotype and Immunity (PGPI) Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu 3. Social Aspects of Health across the Life Course Prof. Janet Seeley 4. Immunomodulation and Vaccine Programme Prof. Alison Elliott 5. Cancer Programme (HIV has been removed from this programme) Prof. Rob Newton 6. NCD Phenotype Programme Prof. Moffat Nyirenda 3 | Heartbeat The Quartery Newsletter for the MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS To further consolidate the Unit’s achievements, two USD198,000 towards Improving uptake and adherence new sections Statistics and Data Science (led by Dr. to HIV prevention services with Prep, HIV self-testing Christian Holm Hansen) and Mental Health (led by Prof. and adherence support for very high risk HIV negative Eugene Kinyanda) and two platforms Bio-informatics young women aged between 15 and 24 in Kampala, and Cohorts (includes support to TASO) have been Uganda (POPPI) as well as funding towards evidence created. These programmes and sections are already based inclusive education for children with disabilities running various projects. With the re-organization of in Wakiso district and other work. We are grateful to our the Themes, we will come up with revised key questions funding partners for the support towards our work and to address and some more focusing of our programmes to the scientists for their efforts in seeking the funding and projects. opportunities through proposal writing. Operations (which includes Finance, Procurement, I take this opportunity to welcome staff that have joined Administration, HR, Estates and Engineering, IT, Health the Unit during the course of the last quarter and thank and Safety, Security); Clinical Diagnostics Laboratory those that have worked with the Unit and have moved Services; Grants support Office (Previously called on during the same period. I wish them the best in their Research Support Office, RSO); Research Compliance careers. and Quality Assurance; Training; and Communication and Engagement. All support services except for Training Unit commissions new Research Centre and Research Compliance/Quality Assurance are under As part of the activities to commemorate the transfer the Chief Operating Officer. to LHTM, ground was broken for the construction of a Congratulations to Prof.