Research Sites by Region

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), located in Lima, Peru, is the country’s premier biomedical sciences university and a recognized leader in global health research across Latin America. UPCH maintains a comprehensive research ecosystem spanning infectious and tropical diseases, HIV/AIDS, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, mental health, sexual and reproductive health, environmental health, and One Health. Its infrastructure includes extensive field sites across Peru’s range of ecological regions—from the Amazon Basin to the Andean highlands and coastal areas—alongside advanced laboratory, clinical, computational, and implementation research platforms. UPCH’s strong institutional capacity, including rigorous regulatory oversight, experienced research administration, and established training programs, enables high-quality clinical trials, cohort studies, and implementation research that have contributed to sustained NIH funding, high-impact publications, and the development of regional research networks across Latin America.

UPCH maintains long-standing collaborations with multiple University of California campuses, particularly the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). These collaborations span HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, malaria, emerging infectious diseases, and One Health research. Additional collaborations include work with UCSD on malaria and antimicrobial resistance and UC Davis on emerging infectious diseases and One Health. These partnerships integrate research, training, and capacity building across disciplines and institutions, with strong engagement from Peruvian and U.S. investigators.

UPCH has a strong track record as a training site. UPCH has supported GloCal fellows across a wide range of disciplines, with strong integration into ongoing NIH-funded research and training programs. In addition to GloCal, UPCH leads and participates in multiple other research training initiatives, including NIH-funded Emerging Leaders in Emerging Diseases Epidemiology Research Training (D43TW007393) and regional training platforms such as The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (22688/22727). These programs provide structured training in epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods, and implementation science, supported by experienced faculty and robust institutional infrastructure. UPCH’s mentoring model includes close engagement between fellows and senior investigators, fostering long-term career development and strengthening research capacity across Peru and the region.

Reciprocal innovation is a defining feature of the UPCH-UC collaboration. Research and implementation models developed jointly in Peru, including approaches to infectious disease surveillance, field-based epidemiology, and community-engaged research in diverse populations, have informed U.S.-based research and global health strategies.  In addition, the Global Health Certificate Program at UPCH, jointly developed by UPCH and UC faculty, is another example of reciprocal innovation leveraging the resources and capacities of UPCH to support trainees.

Site Contact: Dr. Andrés (Willy) Lescano

Universidad Católica San Pablo

Universidad Católica San Pablo (UCSP) is an academic institution located in Arequipa, Peru. UCSP significantly invests in its internal research portfolio, which spans epidemiology, telecommunications, computer science, and psychology. UCSP has strong ethical oversight through its Institutional Review Board (Comité de Ética en Investigación) and robust academic research infrastructure, including a Neuroscience Lab and an Innovations in Electronics and Telecommunication Center (Centro de Innovación en Electrónica y Telecomunicaciones).

UCSP has collaborated closely with faculty at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) on neurological health research, including projects focused on cognitive aging, dementia biomarkers, and advanced cognitive testing in Andean and Quechua-speaking populations. These partnerships have strengthened UCSP's research capacity by building expertise in bioinformatics, biostatistical analysis, and grant writing among junior investigators. UCSP also participates in training initiatives through the Global Brain Health Institute at UCSF, including the Atlantic Fellows for Brain Health program. With support from UCSF collaborators, UCSP has contributed directly to Peru's National Dementia Plan, integrating global best practices with local expertise.

GloCal fellows at UCSP are integrated into existing research platforms, focusing on scalable innovations.

The UCSP-UC collaboration exemplifies genuine reciprocal innovation. For American populations, this partnership yields direct scientific benefit. Findings on genetic risk factors, linguistic markers of neurodegeneration, and adapted cognitive assessments from Peru's varied, admixed populations are informing the development of diagnostic tools for Latino and Spanish-speaking communities within the U.S., a rapidly growing demographic disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The science generated at UCSP thus strengthens the U.S.’s capacity to address health challenges while advancing brain health research.

Site Contact: Dr. Marcio Soto Añari

Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative

The Botswana Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative (BSRHI) represents a premier, Botswana-led research and training platform with over three decades of impact in global health. Established in 2016, BSRHI focuses on advancing the health of women and girls through multidisciplinary research, clinical care, and policy engagement. Scientific collaborations at BSRHI span HIV, broader sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and non-communicable diseases, with strengths in integrated HIV/STI services, cervical cancer prevention, and reproductive health interventions. Embedded within Botswana’s public health system and supported by advanced laboratory and clinical research infrastructure at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, BSRHI conducts pragmatic trials and implementation studies that address real-world challenges and generate scalable, policy-relevant solutions.

BSRHI maintains close partnerships with multiple University of California (UC) campuses, including UC San Diego (UCSD), UC San Francisco (UCSF), and UC Los Angeles (UCLA). Key collaborations include the NIH-funded UCLA collaboration, “The diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in pregnant women to prevent adverse neonatal consequences” (R21HD100821), and UCSD-collaboration on “Screening and treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis infection to prevent preterm birth” (R01HD116989). In addition, BSRHI investigators lead or contribute to multiple NIH-funded projects, including three active R01 awards, as well as studies supported by other major international funders such as the Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and the Medical Research Council.

BSRHI has a strong track record of training GloCal fellows. Fellows are embedded within ongoing studies and benefit from hands-on mentorship by a multidisciplinary team of in-country faculty with expertise across clinical medicine, public health, implementation science, epidemiology, laboratory science, social science, and health economics. The Site Leader, Dr. Chelsea Morroni, has participated in the GloCal-supported “mentoring the mentors” training program and has cascaded it to other investigators and supervisors at the site, helping build a stronger culture of mentorship.

Research conducted in Botswana has significant potential for reciprocal innovation. BSRHI-UC research collaborations have generated practical approaches for reducing preterm birth through improved screening and treatment of maternal infections, as well as efficient screening and triage strategies for cervical cancer that can be adapted to different care settings. These approaches have the potential to inform clinical and programmatic efforts in the U.S., particularly in optimizing maternal health services and improving the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening programs.

Site Contact: Dr. Chelsea Morroni

University of Buea

The University of Buea (UB) in Cameroon is a rapidly growing research institution recognized for its strong focus on health sciences, innovation, and international collaboration. Established in 1993, UB has developed into a hub for training, research, and community engagement, with a well-defined research governance structure led by its Division of Research and Publications. The university hosts several key research platforms, including a data science center for surgery and injury, a clinical diagnostic and research laboratory for emerging infectious diseases, and a drug discovery laboratory. Scientific collaboration at UB spans priority areas including injury and trauma, infectious diseases, epidemiology, data science, and broader public health research. Ongoing projects include clinical and population-based studies, data-driven research, and implementation-focused work supported by NIH and other international funders.

UB has collaborated with University of California (UC) faculty since 2008, particularly at UC Los Angeles (UCLA). This collaboration builds on complementary strengths, combining UC’s expertise in clinical research design and data science with UB’s leadership in surgical care delivery and field-based research. A key NIH-funded collaboration is the Data Science Center for Surgery and Injury in Africa (D-SINE Africa; U54TW012087), which serves as a regional research and training hub focused on improving injury care through data-driven approaches. Additional NIH-supported work includes a training program to strengthen the quantitative pipeline for multidisciplinary trauma research in Cameroon (D43TW012186). These collaborations have supported complementary research on trauma systems, surgical outcomes, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging infectious diseases.

GloCal fellows at UB engage in research on trauma care delivery, surgical outcomes, and health systems, contributing to a growing evidence base to inform clinical practice and program development.

The UB–UC partnership highlights reciprocal innovation in surgical and trauma care. Research conducted in Cameroon has demonstrated the feasibility and impact of low-cost clinical approaches in settings with limited resources, including studies showing that certain resuscitation strategies can improve outcomes even in the absence of advanced technologies. These findings have informed approaches to trauma care in austere and rural settings in the U.S., where similar constraints apply. In addition, advances in trauma registries, data systems, and machine learning approaches developed through UB collaborations have improved injury surveillance and clinical decision-making. Through sustained collaboration, shared training, and bidirectional knowledge exchange, the UB–UC partnership continues to advance research and strengthen health systems in Cameroon and the U.S.

Site Contact: Dr. Alain Chichom Mefire

University of Ghana

The University of Ghana (UG) in Accra consistently ranks among the leading universities in Africa and is recognized for its strong research enterprise, high-quality training, and international collaborations. UG hosts several major research centers, including the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, and the Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, which together provide advanced laboratory infrastructure, field research platforms, and access to diverse clinical populations through partnerships with Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the Ghana Health Service. Scientific collaboration at UG spans key global health priorities, including maternal and child nutrition, adolescent health and neurodevelopment, infectious diseases, and non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention. Ongoing projects include longitudinal cohort studies, randomized trials, and implementation research supported by NIH and other international funders. The breadth of mentorship expertise across nutrition, public health, behavioral science, and clinical research further strengthens the training environment.

UG has maintained a long-standing collaboration with University of California (UC) faculty since 2003, particularly with UC Davis. This partnership integrates complementary expertise, combining UC-based methodological and analytical strengths with UG’s leadership in field implementation and community-engaged research. A key NIH-funded collaboration is the project “Effects of early-life nutritional supplementation on the brains, bodies, and behaviors of Ghanaian youths in middle adolescence” (R01HD099811). Additional collaborative work has addressed maternal and child health, nutrition, and broader population health priorities, with relevance to infectious diseases and NCDs.

Within the GloCal framework, trainees are co-mentored by UC and UG faculty through a structured team-mentorship model that supports both scientific development and career advancement. Fellows have conducted research on Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme and on the relationship between nutrition and NCDs, producing findings with direct relevance for health policy and program planning. Participation in GloCal has strengthened UG’s postdoctoral training environment by providing structured mentorship, exposure to rigorous research methods, and opportunities for joint supervision, contributing to the development of independent investigators positioned to lead future studies.

The UG–UC partnership demonstrates strong reciprocal innovation. Research on small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements conducted in Ghana through this collaboration has generated evidence that informs global nutrition guidance and policy. These findings have contributed to a broader understanding of early-life nutrition, neurodevelopment, and long-term health, with relevance for programs in the U.S. In addition, methodological approaches developed at UG—including longitudinal cohort design, community-based research implementation, and integration of clinical and population-level data—have informed research strategies in U.S.-based settings.

Contact: Dr. Seth Adu-Afarwuah

Kenya Medical Research Institute

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), in partnership with the University of Nairobi, serves as a longstanding international research and training hub anchored by a 30-year collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), established in 1995. In 2004, the partnership expanded through the launch of Family AIDS Care & Education Services (FACES), a CDC- and PEPFAR-supported program that delivered comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment services across western Kenya until its completion in 2022. FACES led to the establishment of a durable clinical research infrastructure that continues to support collaborative studies and training programs, including GloCal.

Scientific collaborations span HIV prevention and treatment, integration of sexual and reproductive health into HIV services, cervical cancer screening, HPV vaccination, mental health and HIV, food security and HIV outcomes, PrEP implementation trials, and malaria elimination (D43TW001505). A flagship collaboration is the NIH-funded Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health (SEARCH) study (R01AI099959; UM1AI068636), a cluster-randomized trial evaluating community-based “test and treat” and multi-disease service delivery models in Kenya and Uganda. SEARCH demonstrated the feasibility and population-level impact of universal testing, rapid ART initiation, and integrated chronic disease screening, findings that informed global and U.S. HIV prevention strategies. Another cornerstone is Shamba Maisha (R01MH094215; R01MH113434), an NIH-supported agricultural livelihood and food security intervention developed by UCSF and KEMRI to improve HIV and nutritional outcomes among food-insecure households. Building on this work, Mama Shamba (R01HD116651) and Vijana (‘youth’) Shamba (R01MH128256) extend the livelihood–health platform to address sexual, reproductive, maternal, and infant health, HIV risk reduction, and economic benefits among pregnant women and adolescents in high-HIV-burden settings. Together, these NIH-funded initiatives demonstrate sustained investment in interdisciplinary, implementation-focused science linking HIV, nutrition, and structural determinants of health.

Training remains central to the partnership. KEMRI and UC faculty also co-lead the Fogarty International Center-funded Sustainable Development for HIV Health (SD4H) Training Program (D43TW011306), which provides PhD training in clinical and implementation science, sustainable development, and HIV research—the first two graduates have become GloCal fellows. Through GloCal and related NIH-supported initiatives, fellows develop expertise in study design and implementation, biostatistics, grant writing, and research leadership.

This collaboration exemplifies reciprocal innovation. Evidence from SEARCH and related implementation trials informed U.S. “test and treat” policies and PrEP scale-up. HIV service delivery models developed in Kenya, including task-sharing, integrated HIV/NCD services, and livelihood-health interventions, have influenced strategies to address HIV discrepancies and food insecurity among disadvantaged populations in the United States, demonstrating tangible benefits to the health of the American people.

Contact: Dr. James Ayieko

Partners in Hope

Partners in Hope (PIH), a Malawi-based non-governmental organization, is a nationally recognized leader in HIV care, implementation science, and health systems strengthening in resource-limited settings. Headquartered in Lilongwe, PIH operates a center of excellence for HIV clinical care and supports service delivery across more than 120 health facilities in nine districts through longstanding U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding. Its integrated platform spans clinical care, laboratory systems, implementation research, and medical education, positioning PIH as a key partner for advancing translational and population health research in sub-Saharan Africa.

PIH has maintained a robust collaboration with faculty from the University of California, Los Angeles for over 15 years. This partnership emphasizes implementation science at the intersection of HIV and comorbid conditions, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and cervical cancer. Scientific collaborations between PIH and UC investigators span HIV prevention and treatment, tuberculosis, NCDs (particularly hypertension and cardiovascular disease), and cancer prevention (HPV vaccination) research. Current major awards include a National Cancer Institute-funded study focused on optimizing HPV vaccination strategies (U01CA29476), alongside large-scale implementation funding from PEPFAR and the Gates Foundation supporting innovative HIV testing and linkage interventions. These collaborations are further strengthened by regular joint scientific exchanges, including monthly research forums and a strong publication record of 25 co-authored articles within the last five years.

GloCal trainees at PIH have conducted primary data collection and contributed to at least seven peer-reviewed publications, while gaining critical skills in qualitative research, cost-effectiveness analysis, and geospatial methods. The site provides a rich mentorship environment that pairs fellows with both senior and junior Malawian investigators and UC faculty, fostering bidirectional learning and sustained research capacity building. Importantly, the training environment has been further strengthened by the NIH-supported Malawi HIV Implementation Science Research Training (M-HIRST; 5D43TW010060) program, a complementary initiative designed to sustain Malawi-led HIV control through innovation, data, and leadership. This program has expanded hands-on research and internship opportunities, deepened engagement with the Ministry of Health, and created additional mentorship and training synergies that GloCal fellows directly benefit from.

Reciprocal innovation is a hallmark of the PIH–UC partnership. Implementation strategies developed in Malawi, such as differentiated HIV service delivery models, integrated HIV-NCD care, and community-based approaches to retention, have informed U.S.-based efforts to improve care for populations with chronic diseases and challenges with healthcare access.

Site Contact: Dr. Sam Phiri

Universidade Eduardo Mondlane

Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), located in Maputo, Mozambique, is the country’s leading public university and a central hub for biomedical, clinical, and public health research. Through its Faculty of Medicine and close integration with Maputo Central Hospital (MCH) and the Mozambique Institute for Health Education and Research (MIHER), UEM supports a robust research ecosystem spanning infectious diseases, HIV, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, mental health, and non-communicable diseases. The university maintains advanced laboratory infrastructure—including molecular biology, microbiology, and biobanking capacity—as well as clinical research platforms embedded within MCH, a 1,400-bed national referral hospital. UEM’s longstanding investment in research training and infrastructure has enabled clinical trials, cohort studies, and implementation research aligned with national health priorities, supported by strong regulatory oversight and data systems.

UEM maintains long-standing collaborations with University of California (UC) campuses, particularly the UC San Diego (UCSD), with additional partnerships spanning UC Los Angeles (UCLA) and UC San Francisco (UCSF). UCSD-led collaborations are supported through multiple NIH and PEPFAR-funded initiatives, including the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI; R24TW008908, R24TW008910), the Health Professional Education Partnership Initiative (HEPI; R25TW011216), UCSD CFAR (P30AI036214), and multiple D43 training grants (e.g., D43TW010135, D43TW010568, D43TW009675), which have supported training in biosciences, public health, and implementation science. These programs have led to the development of master’s and PhD training programs and a substantial expansion of Mozambique’s research workforce.

UCLA has maintained a long-standing academic partnership with UEM and MCH, supporting pediatric graduate medical education, pediatric residency programs in Beira and Nampula, and a Family Medicine residency in Maputo, alongside CDC/PEPFAR-funded technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in pediatric HIV and TB. UCSF collaborations began through PEPFAR-supported monitoring and evaluation efforts with the MoH and have expanded to include the Strengthening Interprofessional Education (STRIPE) program. These partnerships have also expanded to include additional Mozambican institutions, including Lurio University, Zambeze University, Mozambique Pedagógica University, the Higher Institute for Health Sciences, Quelimane Central Hospital, and the Quelimane Institute of Health Sciences, creating a broad, multi-institutional research and training network.

In addition to GloCal, UEM supports a wide range of other NIH-funded training initiatives, including MEPI, HEPI, and multiple D43 programs. These programs provide structured training in biomedical, behavioral, and implementation science and are supported by MIHER, which provides administrative, regulatory, and logistical infrastructure for research and training activities across Mozambique.

Reciprocal innovation is a defining feature of the UEM–UC collaboration. Mozambican models of task sharing, team-based care, and high-quality service delivery in resource-constrained settings—particularly in surgery, HIV care, and antimicrobial resistance—have informed approaches to workforce optimization and care delivery in U.S. settings. The MIHER platform, along with participation in African-led networks such as AFREhealth, has provided U.S. partners with stronger, locally led research governance and sustainable research systems, thereby expanding opportunities for collaboration.

Contact: Dr. Emilia Noormahomed

Desmond Tutu Health Foundation

The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) is an internationally recognized research organization based in Cape Town, South Africa, with a strong track record in HIV and tuberculosis research and expanding portfolios in adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, and noncommunicable diseases. DTHF is a not-for-profit organization and operates in an integrated and synergistic manner with the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre within the University of Cape Town. Together they form a Centre of Excellence focusing on research, community awareness and resource development in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and TB. DTHF has well-established clinical trial infrastructure, data systems, laboratory capacity, and long-standing community partnerships.

DTHF has a strong collaboration with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Other current NIH-supported research at DTHF includes University Test and Connect: A Pilot Study of Comprehensive HIV Service Delivery in Emergency Care Settings in South Africa (R34MH138250), alongside multiple NIH-funded HIV prevention and clinical trials conducted through the University of Cape Town Clinical Trials Unit (e.g., U01AI069519). 

DTHF provides a robust environment for early-stage investigators, as fellows are embedded within active research programs in HIV treatment and prevention, adolescent health, socio-behavioral sciences, TB, women’s health, men’s health, and sexual and reproductive health. In 2025, GloCal and DTHF co-hosted the Fogarty International Center LAUNCH Southern Africa Regional Scientific Workshop in Cape Town. The workshop convened 25 fellows and alumni and 11 faculty from across seven LAUNCH consortia and provided a platform for trainees to present research, engage in hands-on sessions on health economics and community-engaged research, and strengthen peer and mentor networks.

The collaboration between DTHF and U.S. partners has generated important reciprocal benefits for the American public. Research conducted in South Africa has informed major global HIV prevention efforts, including the PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2 flagship studies evaluating next-generation prevention technologies such as long-acting injectable agents. These studies generate critical evidence to accelerate the translation of highly effective products into targeted settings. In addition, implementation approaches developed through large-scale HIV prevention and community-based research have informed strategies to improve the uptake and delivery of preventive services in U.S. settings.

Contact: Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is the oldest and largest health sciences training institution in Tanzania, and serves as the country’s premier center for biomedical research and workforce development. MUHAS offers more than 90 academic programs across its College of Medicine and Schools of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Public Health and Social Sciences, as well as institutes of Traditional Medicine and Allied Health Sciences. The university trains over 85% of Tanzania’s medical, laboratory, and public health specialists and leads nationally in research productivity. Its mission emphasizes high-quality training, research, and service to advance development. MUHAS’s research agenda is organized around 15 priority themes including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, reproductive and child health, non-communicable diseases, cancer, injuries, health systems, antimicrobial resistance, and mental health.

MUHAS has a long-standing and highly productive partnership with the University of California, particularly the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), dating back to 2005. Early collaboration through the MUHAS-UCSF Academic Learning Project, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, catalyzed the adoption of competency-based education across MUHAS programs and strengthened faculty capacity. This partnership has since expanded to include robust, NIH-funded research and training programs. Current collaborative awards include the D43 Building a Cancer Research Training Program in Tanzania (D43TW011598) and United States-East Africa HIV-Associated Malignancy Research Center (USEAHAMRC) for Career Development and the Prevention, Early Detection and Efficient Linkage to Care for Virus-related Cancers (5U54CA254571). Additional joint research spans HIV, sickle cell disease, and pediatric sepsis, providing a rich environment for mentored research and implementation science.

The program has been highly successful in fostering independent research careers through structured, dual mentorship from MUHAS and UC faculty. GloCal fellows have conducted research across HIV, NCDs, cancer, and acute care, often embedded within ongoing NIH-funded projects. Notably, alumni have secured independent NIH funding both focusing on sickle cell disease (U01HL156853, K43TW011167). These outcomes underscore MUHAS’s strength as a training site that supports sustained career advancement and builds local research leadership.

A defining feature of the MUHAS–UC collaboration is its emphasis on reciprocal innovation. Through longstanding collaboration with the UCSF Department of Emergency Medicine, MUHAS faculty have co-developed pragmatic emergency care training and research systems for high-volume, resource-constrained settings, including structured triage algorithms, non-physician provider empowerment, and streamlined workflows. These approaches offer lessons for rural and safety-net hospitals in the United States facing workforce shortages and access issues. This bidirectional exchange reflects how solutions refined in low-resource settings can inform improvements in high-income contexts, while U.S. partners contribute methodological rigor and implementation science expertise to support adaptation and scale-up. Other programmatic and clinical innovations developed at MUHAS—such as task-shifting models, integrated chronic disease management, and context-appropriate cancer and HIV care delivery—have informed approaches to improving access and efficiency in disadvantaged U.S. settings.

Site Contact: Dr. Hendry Sawe

Infectious Diseases Institute

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), based in Kampala, Uganda and affiliated with Makerere University, is a leading center for clinical care, research, and capacity building focused on infectious and chronic diseases. IDI delivers comprehensive services to more than 250,000 individuals with HIV and related conditions and hosts a robust research portfolio of over 100 active projects, including approximately 20 clinical trials. Its integrated research environment provides trainees with access to patients, longitudinal observational cohorts, CAP-certified laboratory facilities, and strong biostatistical and regulatory support. The institute’s Research Capacity Building Unit embeds trainees within structured mentorship programs, short courses, and peer learning platforms, creating a supportive setting for early-stage investigators.

IDI has maintained an established partnership with University of California (UC) faculty since about 2016, with collaborations spanning HIV, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), implementation science, and clinical trials research. These collaborations are characterized by sustained co-mentorship between UC and IDI investigators, joint supervision of doctoral trainees, and co-development of research proposals and training activities. Scientific areas of collaboration include long-term HIV treatment outcomes, HIV and aging, co-morbid NCDs, antimicrobial resistance, and delivery strategies to improve care in real-world settings. IDI also participates in multi-site research networks involving U.S. partners, strengthening opportunities for collaborative studies and trainee engagement.

IDI benefits from multiple externally funded research and training programs that enhance its research environment. This includes the Minnesota–Makerere–Mbarara Neuro-Infectious Disease Research Training Consortium (D43TW012266), an NIH-supported training grant that strengthens institutional capacity in neuro-infectious diseases and provides a platform that GloCal fellows can leverage for mentorship, coursework, and collaborative opportunities. In addition, IDI hosts numerous investigator-led studies with U.S. collaborators across HIV and related conditions, further supporting a rich and collaborative training environment.

IDI has a strong track record of training GloCal Health Fellows within a structured capacity-building framework. GloCal fellows are integrated into ongoing research projects and provided comprehensive mentorship, quarterly evaluations, and training in scientific writing, study design, and professional development. IDI’s participation in GloCal has contributed to measurable outcomes, including fellows leveraging preliminary data to secure career development awards (e.g., NIH K43) and pursuing advanced doctoral training. The program has also strengthened long-term mentorship networks, with prior trainees continuing into PhD programs under joint UC–IDI supervision.

Reciprocal innovation is a key strength of the IDI–UC partnership. Research conducted at IDI has generated evidence that has informed U.S. regulatory decisions and international clinical recommendations. For example, studies conducted in Uganda contributed to the evidence base demonstrating the effectiveness of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, supporting U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. More broadly, IDI-led research on long-term HIV care, aging, and delivery models for chronic disease management has provided insights applicable to U.S. settings, particularly in optimizing care for populations with complex, long-term health needs.

Site Contact: Dr. Barbara Castelnuovo

Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration

The Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC) is a leading research institution based in Kampala, Uganda, with strong roots in partnerships between Makerere University, the Uganda Ministry of Health, and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Building on its early foundation as a collaborative platform for infectious disease research, the program has grown into a major center for clinical, epidemiological, and implementation science focused on malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. The collaboration integrates laboratory science, clinical trials, and population-based research, supported by robust infrastructure including reference laboratories, data management centers in Kampala and Tororo, and multiple field sites.

The longstanding collaboration between the IDRC and UCSF includes more than thirty faculty across institutions and has been sustained for almost three decades. This partnership has supported major NIH-funded initiatives, including the Multisectoral Strategy to Address Persistent Drivers of the HIV Epidemic in East Africa (SEARCH SAPPHIRE; 5U01AI150510), which evaluates population-level strategies for delivering integrated HIV and chronic disease care, and malaria-focused programs such as the Program for Resistance, Immunology, Surveillance, and Modeling of Malaria (PRISM; 5U19AI089674). Additional areas of joint research include integrated HIV and hypertension treatment, malaria chemoprevention in pregnancy, and studies of immune responses, treatment efficacy, and co-infections.

Fellows are integrated into ongoing NIH-funded research programs spanning malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, and related conditions, providing opportunities to contribute to study design, implementation, and analysis.

Partnerships between the IDRC and UC investigators have generated important insights that extend beyond Uganda and inform research and practice in the United States. Findings from large-scale HIV and malaria studies, including population-level testing and treatment strategies and malaria prevention trials, have contributed to advances in clinical guidelines and public health approaches. In addition, experience with community-based interventions, pragmatic trial designs, and task-sharing strategies has informed implementation approaches relevant to U.S. settings.

Contact: Dr. Moses Kamya

World Alliance for Lung and Intensive Care Medicine in Uganda

The World Alliance for Lung and Intensive Care Medicine in Uganda (WALIMU), based in Kampala, is a nationally recognized leader in implementation science and clinical systems strengthening, focused on improving outcomes for patients with severe illness in resource-limited settings. Established in 2013, WALIMU develops and evaluates innovative, evidence-based models to improve early identification and management of critical conditions, including sepsis, tuberculosis (TB), and emerging infectious diseases. WALIMU maintains a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS), which strengthens its research and training environment by providing access to institutional review boards, biostatistics support, and research infrastructure.

WALIMU has maintained a strong collaboration with the University of California since 2008, spanning TB, TB/HIV co-infection, emerging infectious diseases, and health systems strengthening, with expanding work in noncommunicable diseases and critical care. WALIMU has a robust TB research collaboration with UCSF, including the TB Research and Mentorship Program (5R25AI147375); rapid TB diagnostics development through the R2D2 network (3R01AI190416); and rifampicin-resistant TB treatment strategies (7200AA22RFA00004). WALIMU also collaborates with UC Irvine on Options for Delivery of Short-Course TB Preventive Therapy (HL144406). Other current NIH- and U.S. government–funded projects include peer-led TB-HIV education and adherence (R01HL176337) and clinic-versus-hotspot TB case-finding strategies (R01HL138728).

WALIMU became a GloCal site through the Uganda TB Implementation Research Consortium (U-TIRC), a collaborative research platform that brings together investigators from Makerere University, the Uganda Ministry of Health, and international partners. WALIMU has hosted GloCal fellows through this platform, providing hands-on experience in large-scale pragmatic trials. This training model has strengthened local mentorship capacity and contributed to a growing pipeline of Ugandan researchers, including fellows now serving in leadership roles within the Ministry of Health.

Implementation research strategies developed at WALIMU have directly contributed to collaborative research and training initiatives with U.S. partners. Specifically, collaborations with WALIMU have informed approaches to improve the early identification and management of severe illness and TB in resource-constrained settings. This ongoing exchange has strengthened both partners’ ability to address complex health challenges and to evaluate practical models for delivering timely, high-quality care in low-resource settings, which are increasingly relevant to populations in the U.S.

Site Contact: Dr. Achilles Katamba

Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) is an independent Zambian non-governmental organization and a national leader in clinical research, implementation science, and public health program delivery. Established in partnership with the Government of Zambia, CIDRZ conducts research aligned with national health priorities across HIV, tuberculosis (TB), maternal and child health, mental health, and community-based service delivery. With more than $38 million in annual funding from partners including the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States State Department, CIDRZ has developed a strong platform for large-scale clinical and implementation research embedded within public sector health systems. CIDRZ conducts a wide range of studies, including randomized clinical trials, observational cohort studies, and qualitative and mixed-methods research, primarily within Lusaka’s public health facilities. All research is conducted in close coordination with the Zambian Ministry of Health and is designed to generate evidence to inform clinical practice and program implementation.

CIDRZ maintains an established partnerships with the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and with University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) faculty. Key collaborations include infectious disease epidemiology and HIV/TB implementation research and TB diagnostics and case-finding strategies. These collaborations focus on improving HIV and TB service delivery, including community-based case finding, differentiated service delivery models, and implementation science approaches to optimize care in real-world settings.

CIDRZ benefits from multiple U.S.-funded research projects that strengthen its research and training environment, including the CDC-funded program “Provincial Ownership to Uplift Delivery of HIV/TB Services in Zambia (PROUD-Z)” (5NU2GGH002251-03-00), which supports health systems strengthening and service delivery. These projects provide a strong platform for GloCal fellows to engage in implementation research, clinical studies, and program evaluation within public sector health systems.

GloCal fellows benefit from CIDRZ’s Research Training Unit, which, through its continuous placement of fellows across Zambia, maintains strong, active linkages with local research institutions and implementing partners. This network enables well-integrated placements, along with structured one-on-one mentorship and sustained career development support.

Reciprocal innovation is a key strength of the CIDRZ–UC partnership. Research conducted in Zambia has generated important insights into HIV prevention strategies, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), particularly among populations that are not routinely reached by traditional health services. These findings have informed approaches to PrEP delivery, community engagement, and service models that are applicable in U.S. settings. More broadly, CIDRZ’s work on differentiated service delivery and implementation strategies has contributed to improved approaches for outreach, retention, and long-term HIV care.

Site contacts: Dr. Jake Pry

University of Zimbabwe Clinical Trials Research Centre

The University of Zimbabwe Clinical Trials Research Centre (UZ-CTRC), housed within the University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in Harare, is a leading research institution focused on HIV, tuberculosis, and related public health priorities. The research platform includes seven clinical research sites across Harare and Chitungwiza, supported by robust laboratory, pharmacy, data, regulatory, and administrative infrastructure, enabling high-quality clinical trials, observational studies, and implementation research. Mentorship at UZ-CTRC is provided in the areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical trials, qualitative research, adolescent health, obstetrics and gynecology, pharmacology, psychiatry, microbiology, laboratory sciences, and sexual and reproductive health, supported by structured platforms including scientific writing workshops and journal clubs, and embedded within active studies.

UZ-CTRC maintains a long-standing collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In 1994, UZ and UCSF established the UZ-UCSF Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), which serves as a center of excellence in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and TB. Over the past three decades, the CTU has enrolled more than 10,000 participants across over 100 HIV and TB prevention and treatment studies, contributing to global understanding of HIV epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment, while informing both global and Zimbabwean health policy. This partnership is supported by the NIH-funded UZ–UCSF Clinical Trials Unit (UM1AI069436-20S1) and hosts major NIH research networks, including the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN), HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network (IMPAACT), and the CASCADE Clinical Trials Consortium.

UZ-CTRC GloCal alumni have transitioned into independent investigators and now serve in supervisory roles as mentors, laboratory leaders, and faculty investigators. This has created a strong multiplier effect, in which prior GloCal trainees mentor junior investigators and expand Zimbabwean-led scholarship.

Reciprocal innovation is a defining feature of the UZ–UCSF collaboration. Zimbabwean-led clinical trials and community-based research have shaped global HIV prevention and treatment strategies, including contributions to landmark studies demonstrating the impact of early antiretroviral therapy approaches and pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission in the U.S. and around the world.

Site Contact: Dr. Lynda Stranix-Chibanda

St. John's Research Institute

St. John’s Research Institute (SJRI), based in Bangalore, India, is a premier biomedical research institution affiliated with St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, including a medical and nursing college and a 1,350-bed multi-specialty hospital. Recognized for its leadership in clinical, epidemiologic, and translational research, SJRI supports a broad portfolio of research across infectious diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, medical informatics, molecular medicine, and health and humanities. The institute has developed robust infrastructure for large-scale cohort studies, clinical trials, and implementation science, making it an ideal training site for early-career investigators. Notably, SJRI offers a unique “bench-to-community” training environment, anchored by its International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-recognized Division of Nutrition and a BSL-2 infectious disease laboratory, enabling trainees to engage across the full translational spectrum.

Since 2002, SJRI has had a long-standing collaboration with University of California (UC) faculty, particularly UC San Francisco (UCSF) and UC Irvine. This collaboration has supported multiple NIH-funded observational cohort studies and clinical trials in both infectious and non-communicable diseases, with a strong focus on HIV and mental health. In addition, SJRI has an active collaboration with the University of California Irvine, including an NIH-funded cancer research project focused on cervical cancer prevention in populations with HPV and HIV co-infection (1R01CA285063). Additional areas of collaboration include mHealth interventions, remote biomonitoring (e.g., neonatal temperature monitoring), and development of point-of-care diagnostics.

GloCal fellows at SJRI benefit from structured, dual mentorship from SJRI and UC faculty and are embedded within ongoing research programs that support hands-on training in study design, data analysis, and dissemination. GloCal fellows at SJRI have successfully secured numerous research grants to conduct impactful research on HIV, mental health, and NCDs, contributing to a growing cadre of globally trained investigators.

The site has also been strengthened by GloCal-supported “Mentoring the Mentors” workshops, which enhance faculty mentorship capacity and support doctoral training pipelines, ensuring sustainability as trainees transition to future mentorship roles. Current research training also includes the Wellcome Trust-funded Environmentally Sustainable Health Research (SHARE) program, which emphasizes context-sensitive, just, systems-focused, and reflexive research approaches.

A defining strength of the SJRI–UC collaboration is its emphasis on reciprocal innovation. A key example is the Urine Tenofovir point-of-care assay, developed by UCSF and clinically validated at SJRI by Dr. Savitha Sebastian in high-volume patient settings at St. John’s Medical College Hospital. This low-cost, “pregnancy-test style” strip provides immediate adherence data for HIV prevention and treatment, enabling rapid clinical decision-making in India while offering a scalable solution for monitoring PrEP and ART adherence in rural and resource-limited settings in the United States. More broadly, SJRI’s community-based research platforms, integrated mental health and HIV interventions, and digital health innovations have informed efforts to improve access and outcomes for U.S. populations.

Site Contact: Dr. Tony Raj

Public Health Research Institute of India 

The Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), located in Mysore, India, is an independent, non-profit scientific research institute that integrates clinical services, laboratory science, training, and community engagement. Established in 2007, PHRII has been recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization by the Government of India, which provides services in urban, peri-urban, rural, and tribal areas of Mysore district. PHRII brings together multidisciplinary expertise across clinical medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, and community-based research. Core areas of expertise include women’s and reproductive health, cervical cancer and HIV prevention, non-communicable diseases and multimorbidity, occupational health, environmental exposures, and microbiome research. PHRII’s infrastructure includes advanced laboratory capacity for microbiological, serological, PCR, and HPV DNA testing, strong data systems, and experienced research staff. Its clinical and community platforms are anchored by the Prerana Reproductive Health Clinic and mobile outreach services, which reach more than 140 rural villages. This network enables clinical trials, cohort studies, and community-based implementation research.

PHRII maintains active collaborations with the University of California (UC), including UC San Francisco (UCSF), UC Los Angeles (UCLA), and UC Berkeley. These collaborations span HIV prevention, antimicrobial resistance, cervical cancer screening, and community-based interventions. PHRII has worked closely with UC Berkeley on laboratory-based translational research, including molecular and microbiological analyses supporting epidemiologic and implementation studies, and with UCSF and UCLA on studies focused on HIV and reproductive health.

In addition to partnering with GloCal, PHRII has participated in the Global Health Emerging Scholars Program since its inception, further building research training infrastructure. As a Fogarty International Center-approved training site, PHRII has hosted undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral fellows in collaboration with several US universities.

Reciprocal innovation is a defining feature of the PHRII–UC collaboration. HPV self-collection screening models developed in Mysore—including low-cost, community health worker–delivered, home-based screening approaches—have informed related programs in the U.S., particularly among efforts to expand cervical cancer screening among unhoused and other disadvantaged communities.

Site Contact: Dr. Devanshi Somaiya

Chiang Mai University

Chiang Mai University (CMU) in Thailand is a leading academic medical center in Southeast Asia, recognized for its strong research productivity, clinical care, and regional partnerships. As the first and largest university outside Bangkok, CMU serves a large patient population through its 1,400-bed teaching hospital and extensive clinical network. CMU maintains robust research infrastructure supported by its Research Institute for Health Sciences and Global Health Research Center, enabling multidisciplinary research across clinical medicine, public health, and implementation science. Scientific collaboration at CMU spans HIV, hepatitis, mental health, substance use, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), alongside health services and primary care research. Ongoing research includes clinical trials, cohort studies, and implementation-focused research supported by NIH and other international funders.

CMU has maintained a strong collaboration with University of California (UC) faculty, particularly UC Los Angeles (UCLA), since 2016, building on partnerships in neuroscience and behavioral health. A key NIH-supported UC collaboration is the project “Cutting-edge, Customized, and Comprehensive (CCC) HIV Capacity Building for Vietnam and Thailand” (D43TW012489). CMU also implements other collaborative research projects, notably the development of learning health systems to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Thailand (NIHR 156161). Additionally, CMU investigators have participated in major international clinical research networks, including the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) and the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) Network, which conduct large-scale, multi-country studies of HIV prevention, treatment, and maternal-child health (e.g., HPTN 074, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02935296; IMPAACT 2010/VESTED, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03048422). CMU also brings substantial experience in regional training initiatives, including the Southeast Asia HIV–Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC), developed in collaboration with UCLA, which has supported workforce development, clinical training, and dissemination of evidence-based practices across Thailand and Southeast Asia.

GloCal fellows at CMU have focused on implementation science, infectious disease epidemiology, and primary care systems research. GloCal builds on CMU’s broader training portfolio and training programs that fellows can leverage, including the NIH-funded D43 “CCC HIV Capacity Building for Vietnam and Thailand” program and the Southeast Asia HIV–ATTC. These programs provide complementary opportunities for cross-exchange, shared mentorship, and access to CMU’s robust research infrastructure, clinical platforms, and training resources.

The CMU–UC partnership demonstrates strong reciprocal innovation. Collaborative work in Thailand has advanced community-based HIV prevention programs for high-risk populations, including migrant workers and people who inject drugs, through approaches such as peer-led outreach, task-sharing with community providers, and integration of HIV services with primary care and mobile health platforms. These models have informed strategies to expand access to prevention and care in American settings, particularly for populations facing similar barriers to engagement in health services. In addition, CMU’s experience with tele-mentoring models, such as Project ECHO, and learning health system approaches has contributed to improvements in service delivery and chronic disease management in the U.S.

Contact: Dr. Chaisiri Angkurawaranon

Hanoi Medical University

Hanoi Medical University (HMU) is Vietnam’s oldest and leading health sciences university and serves as a major hub for clinical, epidemiologic, and implementation research. Established in 1902, the institution integrates academic training, clinical care, and research across a network of affiliated hospitals, clinics, and specialized centers. HMU has a 400-bed teaching hospital and schools in medicine, nursing, public health, and traditional medicine. HMU has more than 70 academic departments and research units and about 1000 faculty members who have received their graduate training in Vietnam and/or abroad. Key research platforms include the School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, the Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse–HIV, the Vietnam International Technology Transfer Center, and community-based clinical programs.

HMU has a long-standing collaboration with University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) which has supported sustained research and training focused on HIV prevention, substance use, and implementation science since 2016, through a Fogarty-funded training program on advanced epidemiological methods (NIH D43 TW010057) for Vietnamese scholars. In 2020, NIDA funded HMU to study how to reduce methamphetamine use among methadone patients (R01DA050486). Current collaborations include clinical trials on sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Notably, in 2024, HMU and UCLA partnered on a D43 grant to build HIV research capacity.

At HMU, fellows are embedded within active research programs spanning HIV, substance use, antimicrobial resistance, mental health, and implementation science, with opportunities to engage in study design, data analysis, and dissemination. HMU also participates in multiple other NIH-funded D43 training programs—including implementation science and HIV prevention (D43TW011548), global mental health and violence prevention (D43TW012188), genetic epidemiology (D43TW012727), clinical capacity building (D43TW012489), and antimicrobial resistance (D43TW012743), which provide complementary mentorship opportunities and training platforms for GloCal fellows.

The collaboration between HMU and UC partners has generated meaningful reciprocal benefits for the American public. Joint research in HIV prevention, substance use, and implementation science has informed approaches to improving PrEP adherence, integrating behavioral interventions into clinical care, and advancing antimicrobial resistance research. Collaborative training and research exchanges, including a 2024 regional global health research workshop hosted by Hanoi Medical University in collaboration with U.S. institutions, have strengthened methodological approaches such as qualitative research and community engagement frameworks and contributed to improving intervention design and evaluation in U.S.-based studies.

Contact: Dr. Le Minh Giang