GLOCAL FELLOWS 2025-2026

Annie Alexander, PhD, is a counseling psychologist and psycho-oncology researcher at St. John’s Research Institute (SJRI) in India with expertise in psychological resilience, patient navigation, and long-term clinical follow-up in cancer care. She founded Aadhara, a breast cancer support group that established a sustainable psychosocial model for Indian women living with breast cancer (WLBC). She has contributed to interdisciplinary research that combined psychosocial and molecular approaches within two longitudinal breast cancer cohorts, where she led psychosocial support efforts and ensured high participant retention over a median follow-up of five years to better understand clinical outcomes. Her previous research explored resilience among WLBC, identifying key psychosocial factors that support adaptation to the emotional, social, and physical challenges of breast cancer. This work laid the foundation for a culturally grounded, resilience-based intervention manual tailored to the Indian context.

Project
Feasibility and Acceptance of Resilience-Based Intervention in Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women. Its impact extends well beyond the physical domain, with diagnosis and treatment often resulting in significant psychological challenges. WLBC frequently face a range of emotional and mental health concerns, including both clinical and sub-clinical symptoms. Notably, around 60% of individuals with cancer report moderate to high levels of emotional distress. However, limited integration of mental health services—largely due to resource constraints—worsens this burden, affecting WLBC’s overall bio-psycho-social well-being. In this context, resilience plays a critical role in helping individuals cope with the complex challenges of breast cancer. During her GloCal Fellowship, Dr. Alexander proposes to pilot test a resilience-based intervention among WLBC. The findings aim to inform culturally sensitive, evidence-based psychosocial strategies that can be integrated into cancer care in low-resource settings.

Mentors: Maria Ekstrand (UCSF), Tinku Thomas (SJRI), Santhosh KR (CHRIST, Deemed to be University), Annie Kanchan Baa (St. John’s Medical College)

annie@sjri.res.in

Nelson Cuboia, MD, PhD, is a Mozambican medical doctor and postdoctoral fellow in global health and spatial epidemiology at the Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research (MIHER). He holds a medical degree from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, a master’s degree in medicine, a master’s degree in palliative care, a PhD in clinical and health services research from the University of Porto in Portugal, and a postgraduate diploma in pain management from Université Paris Cité in France. His research focuses on the use of geospatial modeling and evidence synthesis to understand the distribution and social determinants of infectious diseases in low-resource settings, particularly tuberculosis, HIV, and neglected tropical diseases. He also serves as Sectional Editor for Epidemiology and Public Health at the African Science Frontiers Initiatives Research Journal.

Project

Spatial Distribution and Predictors of Neglected Tropical Disease in Mozambique

As a GloCal fellow, Dr. Cuboia is examining the spatial distribution and overlap of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Mozambique, identifying socio-environmental, economic, demographic, and healthcare-related predictors. His research aims to generate high-resolution disease risk maps and inform the design of integrated, data-driven public health interventions. The project supports the development of targeted strategies to address overlapping disease burdens and optimize resource allocation in underserved communities. This research will also explore how social determinants influence NTD prevalence, providing critical insights for sustainable control. Given Mozambique’s limited resources, the study will support cost-effective, locally adapted responses. By identifying geographic hotspots and patterns of co-occurrence, the findings will help prioritize interventions. The project will contribute to national planning and offers a scalable model for other low-income countries.

Mentors: Sanjay Mehta (UCSD), Emilia Noormahomed (Eduardo Mondlane University), Antoine Chaillon (UCSD)

nelsoncuboia@gmail.com

Peter James Kitonsa is a medical doctor and public health specialist at the Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium (U-TIRC) with a strong focus on pediatric tuberculosis diagnostics and implementation science. He holds an MBChB, a Master of Public Health, and a Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health. His research centers on improving early diagnosis of pediatric TB, integrating non-sputum based tools like mobile chest X-ray screening into community-based health programs, and applying implementation science approaches to enhance referral systems and patient linkage to care. He has led research projects in both rural and urban settings, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to address health system gaps in infectious disease management. Dr. Kitonsa is also passionate about mentoring junior clinicians, advancing child health advocacy, and contributing to policy dialogues that strengthen health systems in resource-limited settings. His work reflects a commitment to bridging research, clinical practice, and health policy.

Project

Incremental accuracy of addition of next generation molecular testing to the Uganda national diagnostic algorithm for childhood tuberculosis

Dr. Kitonsa’s GloCal research project builds upon a prior study that showed the current Uganda National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP) algorithm to have low specificity (ranging from 17% to 28%) and the need for specific, easy-to-use point-of-care adjunct tests/assays. Therefore, the goal of this proposed study is to combine a highly sensitive (Uganda NTLP) with a more specific, child and user-friendly tool (Swab-based molecular test) to see if that improves the specificity of the TDA among all children (<15 years) with presumptive TB; this has not been studied. Also, the value of this study is that the Uganda TDA is meant to be implemented also in lower-level health facilities, which may not have laboratory infrastructure for X-pert testing or CXR imaging. Therefore, Dr. Kitonsa and his team will look at the accuracy of this combination (Uganda NTLP and Swab-based molecular test) when X-pert testing and/or CXR is not available, as well as the acceptability of this new test.

Mentors: Devan Jaganath (UCSF), Achilles Katamba (U-TIRC), Adithya Cattamanchi (UC Irvine)

kitonsap@gmail.com

Mathangi Krishnakumar, MD, DM, is an Associate Professor in the Surgical and Neuro Intensive Care Unit at St. John’s Medical College Hospital in India who is committed to advancing high-quality care for patients with acute neurological illness. She earned an MD in Anesthesiology and Critical Care at the Armed Forces Medical College, and a DM in Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). Her work focuses on improving care for people with acute neurological illness, especially traumatic brain injury. She studies optimal physiologic targets, perioperative safety, and ways to integrate palliative care and clear communication into the ICU. Clinically, Dr. Krishnakumar provides patient- and family-centred care and mentors residents and nurses. Her goal is to build simple, scalable models—grounded in sound evidence and humane practice—that improve outcomes and reduce suffering in neurocritical care worldwide.

Project
Feasibility of Integrated Palliative Care Co-Management in Neurocritical Care in LMIC: Addressing Patient and Caregiver Burden

Neurocritical illnesses—traumatic brain injury, stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage—create heavy symptom burdens for patients and intense stress for families, especially in low- and middle-income settings where palliative care is rarely built into routine ICU practice. Dr. Mathangi Krishnakumar’s project adapts and pilots an early palliative care model within the Neuro-ICU. The team will use brief bedside screening to identify patients with high needs, convene structured family meetings, and provide focused caregiver training to support clear communication and shared decision-making. Feasibility and impact will be assessed through patient comfort, caregiver burden, communication quality, and standard ICU measures such as length of stay, alongside feedback from nurses and physicians. By integrating palliative principles into everyday neurocritical care, the study aims to reduce suffering, avoid non-beneficial interventions, and strengthen family engagement.

Mentors:  Maria Ekstrand (UCSF), Nandini Vallath (SJRI), Tony Raj (SJRI)

mathangi.krishnakumar@stjohns.in

Ramya Kumar, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Davis, and the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ). She is an epidemiologist working at the crossroads of HIV prevention, One Health, pandemic preparedness, and health communication. Her research looks at how stigma, policy, and health systems shape access to HIV prevention tools—especially among women in sex work. She has led studies on oral and long-acting injectable PrEP in Zambia with partners at CIDRZ, and the University of Washington. Dr. Kumar also works to strengthen epidemic intelligence by combining zoonotic disease surveillance, community engagement, and clear public health messaging. She aims to create interdisciplinary solutions that improve both outbreak readiness and trust in health systems, ensuring communities have the information and tools they need to protect themselves.

Project

Mapping Stigma, Violence, and Health Needs Among Women in Sex Work in Lusaka: Insights for HIV Prevention and Pandemic Preparedness

This project uses secondary analysis of a rich cohort dataset on women in sex work in Lusaka, including data on substance use, mental health, economic conditions, and reasons for entering sex work. The dataset also documents multiple forms of stigma and discrimination from health workers, police, family, and others, as well as experiences of violence and HIV prevention uptake. By describing these patterns, the project aims to identify priority areas for intervention and design targeted health communication strategies that address both structural and interpersonal barriers to care. Lessons from this work will inform focused approaches in One Health and pandemic preparedness, applying insights from HIV prevention to strengthen broader health security systems.

Mentors: Jake Pry (UC Davis), Carolyn Bolton (CIDRZ), Judith Auerbach (UCSF)
 
ramyak1@uw.edu

Sowmya Mangipudi, MD, MSc, is a fourth year Integrated Vascular Surgery Resident at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She earned her MD at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where she was a recipient of the Lazarus Family Scholarship, which allowed her to obtain a Master's in Global Health & Surgery at King’s College London during medical school. Dr. Mangipudi was a Robertson Scholar at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she discovered her passion for global health through coursework and field experience working with older adults in Senegal, the Netherlands, and India. Dr. Mangipudi is committed to providing and improving the provision of high-quality vascular care in low-resource settings both domestically and internationally in the future.

Project

Risk Stratification of Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Peripheral Arterial Disease To Improve Limb Salvage in a Tertiary Hospital in Dar Es Salaam

The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and its sequelae, including diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), is increasing across sub-Saharan Africa. At present, DFU care varies substantially in availability and quality, but patients often present to tertiary centers in late stages that require amputation. Major amputation can have serious health and quality of life consequences, affecting functionality, vocation, and even social acceptance. The purpose of this study is to identify and characterize patients with DFU using a longitudinal database of patients presenting to a tertiary care center in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, and to correlate their clinical outcomes with demographic and clinical risk factors such as peripheral arterial disease. A secondary aim of this study will be to train providers on the use of ankle-brachial index and toe-brachial index as a low-cost, evidence-based method to assess peripheral perfusion in order to make more informed clinical decisions regarding surgical intervention.

Mentors: Doruk Ozgediz (UCSF), Larry Akoko (MUHAS), Michael Conte (UCSF)

Anne (Annie) Martin, PhD, MPH, is a translational infectious disease epidemiologist and postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Her research focuses on epidemiologic measurement of malaria outcomes in quasi-experimental studies to evaluate intervention effectiveness. She obtained her master’s and doctoral degrees from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where she led two studies under the NIH-funded Southern & Central Africa International Center for Excellence in Malaria Research; the first was a longitudinal cohort evaluating the impact of indoor residual spraying in northern Zambia, and the second was a type-2 hybrid implementation-effectiveness study examining a surveillance approach for malaria elimination in southern Zambia. Her postdoctoral work is focused on expanding her measurement framework to include molecular outcomes, including gametocyte prevalence and parasite genomics, to understand nuances of transmission dynamics.

Project

Molecular and traditional epidemiological metrics to measure malaria vaccination effects in Uganda

Evaluation of the effectiveness of R21/Matrix-M in the context of national rollout in Uganda: a test-negative case-control study Infection-preventing malaria vaccines re promising: R21/Matrix-M reduces uncomplicated malaria and severe malaria by 68%, but phase-3 trials were limited to settings of seasonal and moderate transmission. The goal of this project is to estimate real-word vaccine effectiveness at a health facility catchment area in a high transmission setting, approximately one year after the Uganda National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) launched the vaccine. Specifically, we aim to estimate the vaccine effectiveness – the direct effect of R21/Matrix-M – on incidence in vaccine-eligible children attending a health facility using a test-negative case-control design. We will also examine the effect of the vaccine on complexity of infection. The results of this study may will contribute to a scarce but growing evidence base that will inform future best practices for vaccine.

Mentors: Bryan Greenhouse (UCSF), Isaac Ssewanyana (IDRC), Jessica Briggs (UCSF)

anne.martin@ucsf.edu

Phoebe Mbabazi, MBChB, MMed, is an internal medicine physician and PhD trainee at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in Kampala, Uganda. She heads the Infectious Diseases Unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital, the teaching hospital of Makerere University in Kampala. Her research focuses on the interaction between HIV and age-related conditions such as frailty, cognitive impairment, and non-communicable diseases. Over the past few years, as part of her PhD program, Dr. Mbabazi led the establishment of a geriatric cohort of 500 older adults with HIV on antiretroviral therapy at the IDI. Participants were followed annually and screened for non-communicable diseases and geriatric syndromes, including frailty and cognitive impairment. To advance her research on frailty among older persons with HIV, she received the UCSF Center for AIDS Research International Mentored Scientist Award.

Project

Accuracy of plasma neurofilament light chain protein for the diagnosis of neurocognitive impairment among older adults with HIV in Uganda

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) globally. However, there is no validated, culturally relevant screening tool for HAND in the region. Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) is a sensitive marker of neuroaxonal injury in several neurological disorders. Plasma NfL offers a less invasive alternative to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NfL and can identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment who are at greater risk of progressing to dementia. These individuals can then be targeted early for management to improve outcomes. The performance of plasma NfL among older people with HIV has not been studied in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous research indicates that the performance of biomarkers in this population may differ from findings in high-income countries. For this project, Dr. Mbabazi will evaluate the validity of plasma NfL and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool in screening for cognitive impairment among older persons with HIV.

Mentors: Sara Gianella Weibel (UCSD), Barbara Castelnuovo (IDI), Meredith Greene (Indiana University)

pmbabazi@idi.co.ug

Evelyn Munayco Pantoja, DDS, MPH, is a PhD candidate in Epidemiological Research at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), studying the epidemiology of trachoma in Peru using molecular and mHealth tools, aiming to inform scalable strategies for trachoma control and elimination in endemic regions. Dr. Munayco coordinates internationally funded trachoma research studies in the Peruvian Amazon, funded by the Pan-American Health Organization and the US National Institutes of Health, conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, in collaboration with UPCH and local health authorities. Her work has been recognized with awards from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), and UPCH’s Vice-Rector’s research fund.

Project

Genomic characterization of the etiology of trachoma in the Peruvian Amazon Basin

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, primarily affecting low-income populations. Previous studies in the Peruvian Amazon have reported a high prevalence of clinical trachoma but low levels of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, suggesting the possibility of other causes of trachoma and raising questions about the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in this region. Dr. Munayco’s project will investigate non-chlamydial causes of clinical trachoma using metagenomic sequencing and assess clinical response to antibiotics at 3 and 6 months through smartphone-based follow-up. Her findings will improve understanding of trachoma in the Amazon basin and facilitate the implementation of an effective national trachoma prevention and control strategy to eliminate this disease.

Mentors: Jeremy Keenan (UCSF), Andrés G. Lescano (UPCH), Thuy Doan (UCSF)

evelyn.munayco@upch.pe

Serge Ngekeng, PhD, is a Lecturer in the Department of Public Health and Hygiene at the University of Buea, Cameroon where he also obtained his PhD in public health. Dr. Ngekeng was previously a Sustainable Trauma Research, Education, and Mentorship (STREaM) program postdoctoral fellow at the University of Buea/University of California, Berkeley. He is also a fellow with the HIV/AIDS, Infectious Disease and Global Health – Implementation Research Institute (HIGH IRI) at Washington University. His research focuses on the intersection of road traffic injuries (RTIs) and alcohol use, as well as strategies to strengthen prehospital emergency care for RTI victims in low-resource settings. Dr. Ngekeng has led several studies examining alcohol-attributable injuries, barriers to timely trauma care, and the use of mobile tools for emergency response.

Project

Adapting the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program to Address Alcohol Use Among Road Traffic Injury Victims in Emergency Departments in Cameroon

In Cameroon, alcohol use is a significant contributor to RTIs, yet emergency departments lack structured approaches to identify and manage alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among injured patients. The SBIRT model is a proven, evidence-based strategy for reducing risky alcohol use in clinical settings. This project aims to adapt the SBIRT intervention for emergency departments in Cameroon using a human-centered design approach. A multidisciplinary adaptation team, including nurses, doctors, and mental health professionals, will co-develop socially and contextually relevant SBIRT materials, informed by focus groups with key stakeholders. The adapted SBIRT model will then be piloted with a few patients to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and integration potential. This study will generate crucial evidence to inform the implementation of alcohol screening and intervention practices for RTI victims in Cameroon and other low- and middle-income countries.

Mentors: Catherine Juillard (UCLA), Alain Chichom-Mefire (University of Buea), Stephen Shoptaw (UCLA)

sergengekeng@gmail.com

Jackline A. Odhiambo, PhD, is a researcher and a postdoctoral fellow at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Maseno University in Kenya. As a PhD student at Maseno University, Dr. Odhiambo developed the first widowhood stigma conceptual framework, and the first quantitative measure for widowhood stigma in sub-Saharan Africa. She is the founder and executive director of Nyanam Widows Rising, a local nonprofit in Kenya that equips widows to overcome stigma and lead positive community transformation. She authored the Voice of Change Method, an intervention Nyanam uses to tackle widowhood stigma in western Kenya. After completing her GloCal fellowship, she plans to join Maseno University in the K43 training program in pursuit of an independent implementation-scientist career.

Project
Determining and reducing the incidence of HIV among widows in Siaya Kenya

In much of Africa, widows have 2-6 times higher odds of HIV positivity than married or never married women. While the high HIV prevalence among widows is well established in the literature, the period of greater HIV risk for women, whether in marriage or in widowhood, remains unknown. Understanding this risk period and the associated risk factors will help in designing tailored HIV prevention interventions for widows. Dr. Odhiambo’s project uses a 10-year health and demographic surveillance dataset with a population of 15,000 women from Gem sub-County, Siaya, to investigate the differences in HIV incidence rate and associated socio-economic risk factors between widowed and married women. She will also explore strategies for reducing HIV acquisition risk among widows, applying a widowhood stigma conceptual framework that she developed in her PhD studies. Her findings will help to inform the development of a widow-centric HIV prevention intervention that can be evaluated in a future study.

Mentors: Craig Cohen (UCSF), Sammy Khaghayi (KEMRI), Pamela Murname (UCSF)

jatienodhiambo@gmail.com

Erika Roach, MA, is a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellow. She also studies child policy through UC Berkeley’s Transdisciplinary Early Learning Sciences and Child Policy program. Previously, Erika earned her M.A. in Psychology and her B.A. in Human Biology and Psychology at Stanford University. Her research explores 1) parent emotion-related processes and child adjustment in low-income immigrant families, 2) risk and protective factors for suicide and psychopathology in youth of color, and 3) socially responsive assessment and treatment. Through her clinical work, Erika is committed to providing socially responsive, trauma-informed, and evidence-based treatment for youth and families while advocating for policy shifts that promote the mental health of traditionally underserved populations.

Project

Parenting Stress, Emotion Socialization, and Child Adjustment in Thai Families: Understanding Links to Inform the Adaptation of a Digital Intervention

Rates of mental health problems among Thai youth have rapidly escalated over recent years. Parent and child mental health are strongly linked–poor parental mental health is associated with harsh parenting, which heightens children’s risk for anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) is a low-cost, evidence-based program that helps families in low- and middle-income countries manage stress, reduce conflict, and strengthen parenting skills. This mixed-methods study will 1) examine relations between caregiver stress, emotion socialization, and child adjustment in Thai families, and 2) inform the Thai adaptation of an offline-accessible, mobile version of PLH. The study will be conducted in collaboration with Chiang Mai University, the Thai Ministry of Public Health, and the PLH research, practice and policy partnership. Findings will inform scaling, policy development, and the identification of parenting intervention targets in Thailand and beyond.

Mentors: Lauran Haack (UCSF), Chaisiri Angkurawaranon (Chiang Mai University), Qing Zhou (UC Berkeley)

erika.ro@berkeley.edu

Brittany Robinson MD, MPH is a general surgery resident at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Robinson received her medical degree from the University of California San Francisco where, during a research year as a Fulbright-Fogarty Fellow in Malawi (2019 - 2020), she conducted a study evaluating the perceived reasons for in-hospital delays to emergency surgical care at a tertiary referral hospital. She has since earned an MPH with a certificate in Injury and Violence Prevention from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research interests include using reciprocal innovation to address differences in trauma care access and outcomes along the care continuum. After residency, Dr. Robinson aspires to complete a fellowship in trauma surgery and surgical critical care.

Project

A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding the Patient and Provider Impacts of Socioeconomic Status on Trauma Care and Outcomes in Cameroon

In point of care, out-of-pocket healthcare payment systems, patients who cannot afford to pay often do not receive necessary care, even if they seek it. This study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to understand both the impact of socioeconomic status on trauma patient outcomes and how practicing within a resource-constrained setting may impact healthcare provider burnout in Cameroon. Trauma patient outcomes will be assessed using data collected by the Cameroon Trauma Registry. We seek to understand trauma healthcare provider perspectives using a self-assessment containing the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory and separate semi-structured interviews to 1) assess levels of burnout among trauma providers in Cameroon, sampling from nurses and physicians at Cameroon Trauma Registry-affiliated hospitals, and 2) understand how healthcare providers talk about burnout and what they identify as exacerbating and mitigating factors.

Mentors: Catherine Juillard (UCLA), Alain Chichom-Mefire (University of Buea), Fanny Dissak-Delon (University of Bamenda)

bmrobinson@mednet.ucla.edu

Abigail Sorensen, MD, is a pediatric critical care fellow at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Sorensen received her medical degree from East Carolina University and completed her pediatric residency at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. With a deep commitment to improving outcomes for critically ill children globally, Dr. Sorensen focuses her research on strengthening the early identification and management of pediatric sepsis in low-resource settings. Dr. Sorensen's research interests include improving the initial triage, diagnosis, and management of pediatric sepsis. She aims to develop context-appropriate strategies that improve pediatric sepsis outcomes and inform national and international guidelines.

Project

Measuring Clinical Outcomes and Protocol Adherence After Implementation of an Evidence-Based Paediatric Sepsis Protocol in Tanzania

Pediatric sepsis remains a leading cause of death in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bearing a disproportionate burden. In SSA, delayed diagnosis and inconsistent treatment practices contribute to high pediatric sepsis mortality. This mixed-methods study evaluates the implementation of a pediatric sepsis protocol designed to improve early intervention through timely antibiotics, fluids, and blood cultures. Using a pre-post cohort design, the study assesses in-hospital mortality, treatment timelines, and protocol adherence. Implementation Science framework will evaluate adoption, fidelity, and sustainability through provider surveys and clinical data. By addressing both clinical outcomes and systemic barriers to care, this study aims to generate actionable strategies to standardize sepsis management in resource-limited settings. Findings will inform scalable interventions to reduce global pediatric sepsis morbidity and mortality in LMICs.

Mentors: Teresa Kortz (UCSF), Hendry Sawe (MUHAS), Andrew Kerkhoff (UCSF)

abigail.sorensen@ucsf.edu

Joshua Tran is a PhD student at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His research focuses on the role of the gut microbiome in varying gastrointestinal-related diseases, specifically colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and progression, with an emphasis on cross-population comparisons between high-income and low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Before graduate school, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force and earned his BS in Human Biology from UCSD. As a Seerave Foundation Doctoral Fellow, he currently leads a multidisciplinary clinical trial at UCSD, investigating dietary interventions to reduce CRC recurrence risk. Drawing from personal experiences with cancer in his family, he is focused on advancing early detection microbiome-based diagnostics and interventions that address global health discrepancies, with a particular interest in Vietnam and underserved populations. He is passionate about sharing and applying advances in microbiome research around the world.

Project

Gut Microbiome and Colorectal Cancer: Cross-Population Risk Prediction in Vietnam and the United States

CRC accounts for a large share of global cancer morbidity rates, particularly in high-income countries like the US, where it ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related death. LMICs such as Vietnam are experiencing similarly elevated rates of CRC incidence, representing a growing public health challenge that is consistent with rapidly developing countries. Furthermore, screening and treatment strategies in Vietnam have not kept pace with advances elsewhere. While colonoscopy remains the gold standard of care for preventing CRC mortality, its implementation is constrained by limitations in expertise and resources. Leveraging quantitative metagenomics and predictive modeling, this study aims to identify gut microbial features correlated with CRC in Vietnamese patients to evaluate the potential of the gut microbiome as a low-cost early detection screening tool for CRC. These findings may also inform better screening strategies in the US, especially where early-onset CRC is rising.

Mentors: Jack A. Gilbert (UCSD), Dao Viet Hang (Hanoi Medical University), Jennifer Le (UCSD)

jtt010@health.ucsd.edu

Jacqueline Hackett, MPP, MPH, is a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she focuses on substance use and addiction in the Department of Health Policy and Management. Professionally, she serves as the Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, where she has worked for 15 years to develop and implement the President’s National Drug Control Strategy. Her work focuses on analyzing state and local policies to increase access to evidence-based substance use programs, and engaging individuals with lived experience in policymaking. She received her MPH from Johns Hopkins where her thesis evaluated state policies to improve reimbursement for peer recovery support specialists, and her MPP from George Washington University. Ms. Hackett serves as adjunct faculty at both Johns Hopkins and George Washington University.

Project

Evaluating Youth Substance Use Prevention in Thailand

More than 2.7 million young people are engaging in active drug use in Thailand. To prevent the initiation of youth substance use, we must understand the feasibility, effectiveness, and adaptability of implementing programs that prevent or delay the initiation of drug use among youth and young adults. In 2024, Thailand piloted the implementation of an evidence-based drug use prevention curriculum in select northern provinces, and this project will analyze evaluation data from that project. The findings of this research will be used to inform subsequent access to the Strong Families program, a United Nations-developed curriculum to increase the ability of caregivers to protect youth from risky behaviors and harms, including preventing the early initiation of substance use. Additionally, this work will help policymakers determine if the Strong Families program should be scaled up and made available throughout the country.

Mentors: Joshua Sharfstein (JHU) and Chaisiri Angkurawaranon (Chiang Mai University)

JacqHackett@gmail.com