Knowledge is power, and Sylvia Silver, D.A., associate dean for health sciences is proving just how powerful it can be. Through a NIH/Fogarty International Center Grant—awarded to the joint application between GW, The Aeras Global Tuberculosis Vaccine Foundation, and the University of Cape Town (UCT)—Dr. Silver and her colleagues are directing a program that empowers people to take on leadership roles in the field of clinical research.

 

The three-week long Summer Institute, held each February at UCT, is based on a model for professional development created by Dr. Silver herself. This model—which is now used in various countries including Cambodia, India, and Uganda—was inspired six years ago during Dr. Silver’s sabbatical to the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation/ University of Cape Town  clinical trail site, where the development of a new tuberculosis vaccine was underway. By outlining how to develop individuals in clinical research organization and management, this model appreciates clinical research as a team effort.  

 

“It was my goal,” Dr. Silver said, “to have everyone—from the drivers who transport specimens to the staff who clean the clinic wards to the scientists who had never been involved in clinical research—understand the research design and their role in the success of the project. By doing so, they develop a greater sense of responsibility and involvement.”

 

During the Summer Institute, Dr. Silver, Jean Johnson, PhD, FAAN, senior associate dean, School of Health Sciences; Joe Bocchino, MBA, EdD, chair of the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership; Zhaohai Li, PhD, professor of statistics; UCT faculty, and Aeras staff enhance the understanding of clinical research in regards to tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV amongst people of all different backgrounds.

 

“No matter where someone is coming into our program, they are bringing something with them,” says Dr. Silver. “Whether they have a seventh grade education or a PhD, everyone’s experiences are valuable and can be translated into the field.”

 

The first week of the program, dedicated to those with the least experience, explores basic topics in clinical infectious disease, epidemiology, clinical research organization and management, research ethics, and biostatistics. The second two weeks are geared to more experienced clinical researchers, or those who are PhDs and MDs with no experience. By answering announcements for clinical research related to HIV, TB, and malaria, and presenting their “applications” to the participants and faculty in a mock NIH-review, this group learns first-hand about clinical organization and management and grants preparation and management. Finally, participants in the two-week program are given the option to participate in a mentorship alongside professionals at the UCT clinical trails site.

 

At the close of their programs, both groups are awarded certificates of completion that represent their knowledge and appreciation for clinical research. Though outcomes from the grant are currently under evaluation, the program leaders hope that the certification will allow the graduates to hold positions with levels of higher responsibility in the field of clinical research.

 

Aside from the Summer Institute, the grant also partially funds an online masters program in clinical research administration through health sciences at GW. To date, this program has allowed one student to earn a masters degree, and another to earn a graduate certificate; two individuals have just started the program. Hopefully, this program will continue to grow and can be facilitated by UCT, rather than GW. “The goal of the Fogarty grant is to build and expand capacity,” explains Dr. Silver. “And by shifting ownership over to UCT, we would be doing just that.”

 

This program has proven to be a tremendous experience not only for the trainees, but also for the facilitators. “We are learning about clinical research practices in other countries,” said Dr. Silver. “But even more than that, we are meeting individuals from other cultures and learning about them and from them. Before this experience, I didn’t know that I would become so involved with the people in one of the countries of Africa. It has really been a wonderful growth experience for me and for everyone involved.”