PROJECT SUMMARY
Non-communicable diseases account for 71% of all deaths globally. Yet, training opportunities for research in
global cardiovascular, cardiometabolic, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases are limited. Critical questions
involve understanding optimal treatment and implementation programs to improve health and reduce disease,
key differences among populations in pathobiology and treatment responses, and relevant environmental and
socio-behavioral factors that influence disease progression globally. The program developed in this proposal,
Research Training in Global Non-Communicable Diseases, is designed to provide post-doctoral fellows at
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) with outstanding opportunities to obtain research skills and high-
quality mentorship to prepare for research careers addressing global cardiovascular, cardiometabolic,
pulmonary, and hematologic diseases. Key activities for fellows in the training program include the Program in
Clinical Effectiveness (a rigorous summer program designed explicitly for postdoctoral physicians) and other
coursework relevant for global health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. We will also instruct
fellows on global health research implementation and administration as well as career development through
program-based seminars and courses in the MGH Division of Clinical Research. Additional professional
development resources will be available through multiple MGH-based initiatives and the Harvard Catalyst. The
proposed program will also support a Community of Practice to promote connections among the fellows, their
mentors, and other global health researchers for professional development and wellness. Additionally, the
committed and talented group of mentors available to the fellows will receive advanced training in mentorship
to optimize the effectiveness in supporting the fellows. Importantly, the program will strive for diversity among
its fellows and promote equity within global health partnerships. Our aims are as follows:
1. Provide mentored research in high-impact global health research of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic,
pulmonary, and hematologic diseases to develop the next generation of global health investigators
2. Conduct research training through coursework and seminars that is enriched through a Community of
Practice model among global health investigators
3. Train mentors to optimize the success of supported trainees working in global health research.
The Research Training in Global Non-Communicable Diseases Program will support a total of eight fellows
(two per year), each receiving two years of research support, didactic training, and intense and purposeful
research and career mentorship. The program aims to prepare all fellows for research careers, including
career development and transition to independent NIH-funded research. Impact of the program will be
measured through the quality of mentorship, as well as the productivity and advancement of the fellows.