1069-Malawi-Epidemiology and Ecology of Cholera in Africa, Malawi

The overall goal of the Epidemiology and Ecology of Cholera, Malawi is to investigate cross-border transmission of cholera through environmental surveillance and enhanced clinical surveillance in the border regions of Malawi. This project is funded by the NIH and is being executed in partnership with the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome (MLW) Program in Blantyre, Malawi. 
Prospective environmental surveillance will take place in informal sewer systems in Blantyre, Malawi. The aim is to improve surveillance methods for the detection of V. cholerae in the environment which could provide critical insights into early detection and prevention of outbreaks in climate-sensitive regions.
Enhanced clinical surveillance in the border regions will involve the use of cholera rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for increased patient screening and additional specimen and metadata collection methods, we hope to gain insight into the molecular, genomic, and epidemiological patterns of cholera transmission in these areas to inform prevention activities.

The student would be responsible for managing day to day activities in Blantyre and ensuring the study is carried out according to the study protocol and milestones. The student would be responsible for troubleshooting issues that arise related to field activities, conducting visits to health facilities, and assisting the data manager with data quality checks and data cleaning. Tasks may include but are not limited to the following:
•        Supporting the collection of biospecimens and accompanying metadata from health facilities participating in enhanced surveillance
•        Supporting MLW partners in sample testing and lab troubleshooting
•        Assisting in the management and analysis of clinical and environmental cholera surveillance data from participating health facilities
•        Accompanying local partners on site visits to support and oversee clinical and environmental data collection 
•        Assisting field staff in administering questionnaires and/or interviews at clinical surveillance sites
•        Participate in weekly meetings with local and JHU team
•        Compile updates for weekly reports on visits and activities completed 
•        Conduct preliminary statistical analyses using surveillance and questionnaire data 
•        Collaborate in planning clinical surveillance refresher trainings for field workers at participating health facilities

The team in Blantyre is very enthusiastic and the local PI fosters an environment that encourages teamwork and contribution of new ideas and experiences. The student will be welcomed into their team and supported by their well-established, robust research infrastructure. The student will be able to form a community with other researchers at this institution and other students who will be in Blantyre working on different projects. The student will also be working closely with the team at JHU, including Dr. Amanda Debes and Erin Baumgartner, who will be readily available to provide additional guidance and mentorship.

This position is an ideal fit for someone with particular interest in implementation science and infectious disease surveillance, with a desire to gain on-the-ground experience carrying out research in an LMIC context. This project offers the unique chance to participate in the establishment of novel surveillance methods for cholera and to contribute to a multi-country initiative to stop cross-border transmission. 

•        Strong written and verbal communication skills
•        Ability to collaborate with team members
•        Ability to identify and solve problems independently
•        Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and environments
•         Experience with a data collection platform such as REDCap or ODK (desired, but not required)
•        Experience with data analysis platforms such as ArcGIS, R, or Stata (desired, but not required)
•        Knowledge of quantitative data collection
•        Attentive to detail 
•        Strong time management

Name: Amanda Debes, adebes1@jhu.edu 

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

I strive to foster an open and supportive environment while encouraging independence and proactivity. I believe in providing guidance that will empower students to take initiative and contribute effectively to the project goals. My approach involves being readily available for questions and discussions, ensuring a collaborative and accessible atmosphere. I believe students learn best through guided hands-on experiences, emphasizing practical application as a key aspect of the learning process.

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

The ideal student would be teamwork-oriented, proactive, and work well independently. In addition, the ideal student would be flexible when faced with unforeseen circumstances and have a desire to continuously learn and improve. 

Estimated Costs:

Housing: $500
Food $100
Local transportation: $50/month local taxi
internet: $30/month esim card

Additional support from PI:

We are willing to provide an additional stipend  to be used towards costs of travel, room, board while doing site visits, or other living expenses