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Elucidating Cleft Etiology Employing Multiplex and Twin Families (ElCEEMuTF)

Award Number: K43DE029427
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/13/2019
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2024

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Elucidating Cleft Etiology Employing Multiplex and Twin Families (ElCEEMuTF) - Candidate: Dr. Lord Jephthah Joojo Gowans is a Senior Research Fellow/Lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, and Dental School, at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. His research focus is genetics of complex traits, with special focus on craniofacial and dental anomalies, including orofacial clefts (OFCs). He initiated and executed the first ever genetic etiologic research on OFCs among Ghanaians, a feat which culminated in collaborative and mentoring activities with the Murray and Butali Laboratories at the University of Iowa (UI), USA. Inasmuch as the African population is underrepresented in genetic and genomics research, Dr. Gowans’ collaborative studies have demonstrated that the African genome has the potential of revealing genetic variants that may account for various complex trait phenotypes. Career goals: His short term goal is to further elucidate the genetic architecture of OFCs among Africans employing multiplex families and families with twins discordant for OFCs. His long term goal is to become an established and renowned independent investigator in craniofacial and dental research by extending his studies to the whole of Africa and to extrapolate his findings to other populations of the world. This will inadvertently impact personalized and precision medicine and strengthen measures aimed towards reducing the incidence of OFCs. Mentors, Consultants and collaborators: Dr. Gowans will continue to enjoy the mentorship of Dr. Azeez Butali (US Primary Mentor) and Dr. Peter Donkor (KNUST/Ghana Primary Mentor) throughout the award period. Both Drs. Butali and Donkor mentored Dr. Gowans during his graduate studies. Dr. Butali is an established researcher in craniofacial and dental research at UI who directs the African Craniofacial Anomalies Research Network (AfriCRAN). Dr. Donkor is a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at KNUST/KATH, with extensive experience in OFC care and research, as well as mentoring of trainees in medicine, dentistry, etc. Dr. Mary L Marazita (of the University of Pittsburg), an astute researcher in OFC genetic etiologic and phenomic studies, will serve as a consultant. Drs. Robert Cornell (a zebrafish developmental biologist at UI) and Alexander Acheampong Oti (OFC surgeon and phenomics expert) will serve as collaborators on the project. Career development plan: this will include deepening Dr. Gowans’ understanding of complex trait genetics through further studies; genetic, phenomic and developmental biology research on OFCs; and career development activities through seminars, workshops and professional conferences. Research strategy: Dr. Gowans will employ whole exome sequencing, sub- phenotype analyses and functional studies in zebrafish to decipher and elucidate the genetic etiology of OFCs in multiplex families and families with twins discordant for OFCs. Institutional environment: Both KNUST (host institution) and UI are committed to the career development training proposed for Dr. Gowans.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2023	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	MAIN ADMIN BUILDING, PREMPEH II LINK	KUMASI				GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	5	2/6/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $164,031 )
2023	2023	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	KNUST CAMPUS	KUMASI				GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	5	8/11/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$72,080
2023	2023	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	KNUST CAMPUS	KUMASI				GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	5	6/15/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$91,951
														Subtotal = $164,031

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $91,696 )
2022	2022	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	KNUST CAMPUS	KUMASI				GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	4	6/15/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$91,696
														Subtotal = $91,696

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $91,321 )
2021	2021	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	KNUST CAMPUS	KUMASI				GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	3	6/17/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$91,321
														Subtotal = $91,321

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $91,177 )
2020	2020	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOG	KNUST CAMPUS	KUMASI				GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	001	2	6/30/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$91,177
2020	2020	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	KNUST CAMPUS	KUMASI		0000		GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	002	2	8/21/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2020	2019	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOG	KNUST CAMPUS	KUMASI				GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	11/6/2019	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $91,177

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $91,253 )
2019	2019	KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOG	KNUST CAMPUS	KUMASI				GHA	Oral Diseases and Disorders Research	000	1	9/13/2019	NEW	$91,253
														Subtotal = $91,253

Grand Total All Awards = $529,478

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Elucidating Cleft Etiology Employing Multiplex and Twin Families (ElCEEMuTF)

Award Number: K43DE029427

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/13/2019

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2024

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