July 7, 2019

'I couldn't recommend it more highly': Global Health Research Certificate Program now accepting applications

In global health research, where the study takes place matters as much as what the study is about.

Conducting research in the international setting carries the same intricacies of domestic research, layered with the complexities inherent in working with collaborators abroad. The Global Health Research Certificate Program aims to provide participants with the requisite skills to successfully apply their research interest overseas.

Participants in the latest Global Health Research Certificate Program session. Applications are now open for next session, which launches in September.

“It was overall a great experience. I couldn’t recommend it more highly to colleagues not only already engaged in global health, but also for those who are interested and want to learn more,” said Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Lecturer Alex Peahl, MD, who recently completed the year-long program. “The training bridged two important aspects of my career path – my research and my interest in global health.”

The application period is now open for the next session of the Global Health Research Certificate Program, set to kick-off in September. Organized and administered by Global REACH, the training is open to all health sciences faculty or trainees interested in establishing or expanding their research activities in the international setting. Interested participants should apply by Aug. 16, 2019.

Now entering its third year, the program typically runs September through July. Monthly evening sessions feature presentations from faculty with extensive experience and a successful track record of research collaborations in the global setting. Presenters include Sr. Associate Dean for Education and Global Initiatives Joseph Kolars (on sustainable international collaborations); Professor of Epidemiology Sioban Harlow (global burden of disease); Professor of Internal Medicine, Health Behavior and Health Education Michele Heisler (developing pilot programs that lead to interventions); Professor of Ob-Gyn and Learning Health Sciences Cheryl Moyer (qualitative research); and many more. A dozen faculty in all participate in leading sessions.

Alex Peahl

Participants are also paired with a faculty mentor throughout the program to help shape and develop their own ideas for global health research. Plastic Surgery Resident and Global Health Research Certificate Program participant Jessica Billig is working on a project to assess the state and value of US-led surgical sub-specialty training abroad.

“Participating (in the Global Health Research Certificate Program) helped spur the project, which is trying to figure out whether the way we are helping to train surgeons in LMICs is appropriate to the setting,” said Billig. “I think this will open our eyes a lot to improve how we are trying to educate other surgeons.”

Sessions like the one led by Professor of Emergency Medicine Rockefeller Oteng, who was instrumental in establishing sustainable nurse and physician emergency medicine training in Ghana, helped Billig define and develop her own project, she said. 

Julie Buser

“Dr. Oteng spoke about his program in Ghana, starting with very basic infrastructure and fitting that infrastructure within their culture and system, which was valuable in helping me to frame my own project,” Billig said. “What are the needs? What is the existing infrastructure to build on? It’s way more complex than people make it out to be.”

The most recent cohort included physicians like Billig and Peahl, as well as a health economist, neuroscientist, and faculty from nursing, including Julie Buser who has conducted multiple studies examining aspects of maternal and newborn health in Zambia.

“Participation in the sessions prompted a lot of reflection about how I go about conducting research and solidified my interest in working in resource-limited settings,” Buser said. “I have already recommended the program to some colleagues on my research team.”

Jessica Billig

Having such a diverse group in the cohort helped make the class more dynamic, as participants have the chance to learn not only from the various session presenters, but one another as well.“Participation in the sessions prompted a lot of reflection about how I go about conducting research and solidified my interest in working in resource-limited settings,” Buser said. “I have already recommended the program to some colleagues on my research team.”

“For me, one of the important aspects of the program is being connected to others who are trying to figure out how to navigate a career in global health,” said Peahl. “Seeing their approach and getting their advice has been really helpful, in addition seeing examples of people with established careers who have been impactful in global health. It gives you a flavor of the many aspects of global health across the University.”