• Allow students to learn the skills associated with particular medical specialties in a developing country
• Provide exposure to the treatment of prevalent diseases in Ecuador
• Improve/develop medical Spanish communication skills
• Help students hone communicational skills with patients through medical interviews
• Facilitate a different perspective of health, disease, and healthcare delivery systems
• Provide opportunities for students to be involved in all levels of community and hospital activities
• Improve the knowledge of the Ecuadorian culture
• Facilitate the educational exchange of information
• Introduce students to Ecuadorian traditional medicinal practices
• Provide opportunities for students to participate in outreach activities
• Develop and strengthen a friendship between the participants and PUCE-SM students

Mario J. Grijalva, PhD Tropical Disease Institute Department of Biomedical Sciences Ohio University Athens, OH 45701
Phone: +1 (0)740 593 21 92
Fax: +1 (0)740 597 27 78
Email: grijalva@ohiou.edu

This year's workshop will also include a strong research component, the workshop participants, Ecuadorian staff and faculty functioning as co-designers and co-investigators, collecting specific data on water and water management, the presence of mosquito breeding habitats, and community education in regard to water and mosquitoes (transmitters of several pathogenic microbes including malaria parasites and dengue virus).

The multidisciplinary nature of the program makes it appropriate for students interested in health and medicine, the environment, international development, health education, international relief work, biology, engineering, political science, economics, sociology, anthropology, economics, and others. Undergraduate, graduate and medical students are encouraged to apply. Students from other Institutions can participate if space is available. Contact Dr. Grijalva: grijalva@ohiou.edu

Mario J. Grijalva, PhD Tropical Disease Institute Department of Biomedical Sciences Ohio University Athens, OH 45701
Phone: +1 (0)740 593 21 92
Fax: +1 (0)740 597 27 78
Email: grijalva@ohiou.edu

Route proposed for 2007: A detailed itinerary with specific activities will be distributed ONLY to participants and will be announced in April 2007.
General description: After landing in Quito, Ecuador's capital, we will travel to the heart of the rain forest in the Upper Amazon Basin where we will visit several areas in Napo province and conduct activities in rural communities in the rain forest. We will then cross the Andes mountains into the Coastal Region where we will visit communities in Manabi Province near the Pacific Ocean. We will visit the inter-Andean valleys, including the Otavalo Indian market before returning to Quito.

Program fee (~$1,100 to ~2,000) + cost of 5 UG credits tuition or Non-credit fee (contact program director for non-credit information) + $150 administrative fee
Airline ticket cost ($450 to $750, depending on dates and airline)
Passport, vaccinations, supplies (~$200)

Email: dailey@ohio.edu
Tel: +1 (0)740 593 -2183
Fax: +1 (0)740 593-9557
Internet: Click here

The International Research Training program evolves from 8 years of experience providing multidisciplinary training in research methodology to students from the USA, Europe and Latin America. The course takes place in the context of the efforts by the Tropical Disease Institute to combat Chagas disease in Ecuador (learn more).

The course will provide participants with a solid background and skills to conduct interdisciplinary research in an international setting, while improving their Spanish language skills. This will be achieve through onsite lectures on research methodology, language tutoring according to the student level, independent project development and practice within the Chagas disease research project.

Students from institutions of higher education (undergraduate, graduate, medical, non-degree), professionals and community Members interested in international research related to health, development and community education; individuals interested in improving their Spanish skills.

Mario J. Grijalva, PhD Tropical Disease Institute Department of Biomedical Sciences Ohio University Athens, OH 45701
Phone: +1 (0)740 593 21 92
Fax: +1 (0)740 597 27 78
Email: grijalva@ohiou.edu

Students participate as volunteer research assistants and work in the various aspects of the project. Activities will range from specific student-initiated projects to support of the main research activities of the overall project. Read more about the overall project (learn more...)

Catherine Marshal
Email: marshalc@ohio.edu
Internet: http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/tdi/Tropical_Research/Tropical_Research.htm

The Kenyan Grandparents Study, a research project that seeks to examine the impact of caregiving for orphaned children on the health and well being of Luo elders, takes place in a rural area in western Kenya. Gillian H. Ice, PhD, MPH, the project director, conducts her research during the summer and takes several students to assist with the data collection.
While in Kenya, students may participate in the following data collection activities according to skill and background: * Anthropometric assessment,* Blood pressure measurement, * Osteopathic screening, * History and Physical exams, * Blood spot collection for EBV antibodies, CRP, blood glucose and hemoglobin levels, * Stool collection for parasite assay, * Saliva collection for cortisol assay, * Interviews, * Nutritional assessment, * Behavioral observation
Research is primarily conducted during the summer and may occur over 4-12 weeks, depending on project goals and funding.
Please click on the current project link for more details on the project itself.

This research program is open to medical students between the first and second year who participate in the Research and Scholarly Advancement Fellowship Program and fourth year medical students who would like to participate in a research rotation. In addition, graduate students in the fields of African Studies, Public Health and Anthropology are also eligible for the experience. Students must have completed a minimum of one year in their respective programs and be in good academic standing. In special circumstances, advanced undergraduate students may participate as well.
Students who participate in this research program are required to participate in short training workshops prior to leaving for Kenya. The purpose of these workshops is to train students in basic data collection methodologies and to learn basic Dholuo phrases. In addition, students are required to read “Where There is No Doctor” by David Warner and “The Travel and Tropical Medicine Manual” by Jong & McMullen. Also, please read About Kenya, prepared by Gary Snyder and Jaja Yogo as well as Kenya travel tips. Additional training will take place in Kenya.

Gillian Ice, PhD, MPH
Ohio University
College of Osteopathic Medicine
Department of Social Medicine
309 Grosvenor Hall
Athens, OH 45701
Tel: +1 (0)740 593 2128
Fax: +1 (0)740 593 1730
Email: iceg@ohio.edu

While in the field, students are required to keep a field notebook and a personal journal. In addition, students may be asked to participate in data entry and group discussions. Upon return, students are required to participate in data entry, limited data analysis and preparations of abstracts and posters. Students must participate in OU-COM Research Day and at least one state or national research conference. Research and Scholarly Advancement Fellows must complete additional work as required by the OU-COM Office of Research and Grants. Students using this opportunity as a fourth year research rotation are expected to participate in manuscript preparation.

http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/international/financial_aid.htm

Internet: http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/international/Ice_Kenya/index.htm