PROJECT SUMMARY
Africa faces unprecedented growth in cancer burden and is inadequately prepared to meet this public health
crisis. The challenges posed by increased cancer burden in East Africa demand development of research skills
and capacity to establish cancer control plans. Research will play a pivotal role in cancer control by addressing
the etiology of cancers unique to the region and leading to development of locally appropriate strategies for
prevention and early detection. Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) is uniquely
positioned to play a major role in building capacity for cancer research in Tanzania and the East African region
at large. However, research training programs must be sufficiently coordinated with clinical training and
specialized to equip trainees with the skills to conceptualize, design and undertake high-quality cancer
research. We will build upon existing collaborations between MUHAS and the University of California, San
Francisco (UCSF), founded upon our shared commitment to improving research training in Tanzania. Our
overarching goal is to develop a plan to train and mentor a cadre of investigators in Tanzania who are capable
of conceptualizing, achieving funding for, implementing, analyzing, and publishing original research focused on
cancer. Our hypothesis is that Tanzanian principal investigators can operate effectively if proper attention is
given to selection, provision of high-quality foundational didactic training to learn the theory and implementation
of research, and development of a conducive, mentoring environment. The immediate objectives of the
proposed planning period are to: (1) perform an assessment of training needs and establish a set of
competencies that must be achieved; (2) create an inventory of training and mentoring resources in Tanzania;
(3) select a training model and develop a curriculum to support scholars in achieving competencies; (4) identify
and develop mentorship resources; and (5) develop strategies for scholar retention. These findings will inform
our submission of a D43 application to establish a Cancer Research Training Program in Tanzania (CRTP-TZ).