Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult Ugandans with Epilepsy: Grant Number: R01NS129041.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR MASTERS SUPPORT IN SELF-MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION FOR REDUCING EPILEPSY BURDEN.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Case Western Reserve University, partnering with Mbarara University of Science and Technology, are implementing a five-year project titled “Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult Ugandans with Epilepsy.”

The program is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). One aspect of the program is to provide advanced degree training to qualified candidates interested in pursuing clinical and research careers in Epilepsy. We are aiming to grow epilepsy research capacity, including self-management approaches in SSA.

The Project is soliciting applications for Masters Research thesis support focusing on epilepsy-related research at Makerere University and Mbarara University, cohort 2, 2025/2026.

Selection criteria

• Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, or any other related field).
• Should have completed at least one year of their Masters’ training in the courses listed above.
• Demonstrated interest in Epilepsy and Neurological diseases, care and prevention, and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Epilepsy, Clinical Practice, and Prevention.

Research Programs:

The following are the broad Epilepsy research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Applicants are not limited to these themes; they can propose other areas.

• The epidemiology of Epilepsy and associated risk factors.

• Determining the factors affecting the quality of life, risk factors and outcomes (mortality, morbidity) for Epilepsy, epilepsy genetics, and preventive measures among adults.
• Epilepsy in childhood and its associated factors, preventative measures etc.
• Epilepsy epidemiology and other Epilepsy related topics.
• Epilepsy interventions and rehabilitation

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Good Clinical Practice, behavioral sciences research, data and statistical analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

• Relevance to program objectives

• Quality of research and research project approach
• Feasibility of study
• Mentors and mentoring plan; in your mentoring plan, please include who are the mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
• Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or an approved full proposal describing your project and addressing Self-Management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult or epilepsy related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Administrator, Reducing Epilepsy Burden Project.  Email: smireb2@gmail.com; Closing date for the Receipt of applications is 1^st July 2025.

For more information, inquiries and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Prof. Mark Kaddumukasa:  kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Mbarara University

Ms. Josephine N Najjuma: najjumajosephine@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews.

I am pleased to present our annual report. Throughout the past year, MakSPH-METS Program has remained steadfast in its mission to strengthen Uganda’s capacity for HIV and TB programming through strengthening robust health information systems, surveillance, and quality improvement initiatives.

MakSPH leverages its team of expertise in public health to guide program strategies, strengthen national capacity for data collection, analysis, and use. The innovations developed are solutions for health system challenges and they generate evidence that can be used to inform policy and practice.

MakSPH-METS provides technical support to MoH, RRHs, implementing partners at different health system levels.

Our collaborative approach, working closely with the Government of Uganda and various stakeholders, has enabled us to make significant strides in building sustainable health information systems and improvingthe quality of healthcare delivery. The achievements highlighted in this report reflect our commitment to strengthen health systems through development and implementation of innovative and impactful evidence- based solutions.

As we look to the future, I am confident that the METS Program will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening Uganda’s health systems through several initiatives.

1. Operationalising a sustainability plan through transitioning of the developed innovations to the Ministry of Health for ownership.
2. Disease outbreak management will be strengthened through continued capacity building for emergency response and optimization of existing integrated disease surveillance systems. The field teams will facilitate seamless coordination across health system levels to build sustainable and resilient health systems capable of effectively responding to public health emergencies.
3. Lastly, we continue to strengthen collaboration with government, enhance coordination with implementing partners and promoting integration of health services.

Our dedicated team of professionals, combined with the unwavering support from our partners and stakeholders, positions us well to address emerging health challenges and advance our nation’s public health goals. The innovative solutions and capacity-building initiatives highlighted in this report demonstrate not only our progress but also our potential for greater impact in the years ahead.

Professor Rhoda Wanyenze
Dean – School of Publc Health, Makerere University

View on METS

Background

Makerere University Biomedical Engineering Unit under the Department of Physiology is glad to advertise for positions under its new Project ‘KeyScope Project: The Key to Sustainable Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Uganda.”

Laparoscopic surgery is considered as the standard of care for cancer treatment in high-income countries. However, this technology is rarely accessible to LMICs due to the high cost of installment, lack of maintenance personnel, unreliable electricity, and shortage of consumable supplies. To address these concerns, a unique multidisciplinary collaboration between engineers, surgeons, oncologists, and business experts from Duke University, Makerere University, Uganda Cancer Institute and University of Maryland joined efforts to develop a low-cost, durable laparoscopic system (KeySuite) for use in resource- constrained environments.

Our aims are aligned to demonstrating the local capacity to manufacture, acquire local and international regulatory approval, determine clinical performance and distribute/sell the KeyScope to the local market. Specifically, we shall improve the current design and determine the local capacity to manufacture the device, establish the clinical safety and acceptability of the product, and obtain regulatory approval from local and international accredited bodies.

Position: Junior Research Fellow

Reports to: Project Coordinator

Engagement: Full time

Duration: 1 year renewable upon satisfactory performance

Duty Station: Kampala

Roles and responsibilities

As a trainee, a Junior Research Fellow will closely work with a research team to undergo training design, manufacturing and validation of the KeyScope. This is a non-degree/no-credit training opportunity that will prepare the successful candidate for advanced studies and future industry work in an upcoming medical technology sector of Uganda and Africa at large.

Specifically the Fellow will;

1. Participate in the local construction of the KeyScope through material assessment and selection, developing a product manufacturing plan, and carrying out an impact assessment.
2. Aid in the establishment of clinical safety and acceptability of the KeyScope through the use of a feasibility study to secure approvals, recruit patients and surgeons.
3. Contribute to the process of attaining regulatory approval from a certified body for the KeyScope.
4. Contribute to the development of a commercialization plan under training and mentorship of a Business Developer.
5. Actively engage in project documentation, questionnaire and ethics protocol development, journal article writing and publication, report writing.
6. Conduct key informant interviews, administer questionnaires, and verbatim transcription of interview recordings.
7. Participate in data collection and analysis using digital and paper-based tools.
8. Participate and contribute to teaching and student mentorship.
9. Engage with the research partners and stakeholders.
10. Any other activities as assigned by the Principal Investigator, and Project Coordinator (Immediate Supervisor) from time to time.

Qualifications:

1. Completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering or any closely related field and at least awaiting graduation in not more than 6 months from an accredited University in Uganda.
2. If completed, candidate must not have graduated more than 1 year ago.
3. Academic qualifications of having attained or expecting at least expecting a second-class upper division degree.
4. Experience in Human-Centered Design skills and Design Thinking will be highly considered.
5. Prior experience in working with international multidisciplinary teams and organizations.
6. Experience of previous work on laparoscopy is a plus.
7. Evidence of prior interest for research, design, innovation and medical device manufacturing.
8. Applicant should have a desire to work with different fabrication techniques.
9. Ability to multitask and perform duties in learning environment with minimum supervision
10. Excellent scientific writing skills and a good command of communication skills.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should submit a one-page cover letter, one-page writing sample, CV (maximum 3 pages) with relevant certificates, transcripts & two reference letters as a single digitally signed PDF file addressed to the Project PI and emailed to keyscopeu01@gmail.com by 17:00hours on 18^th April 2025. Indicate, “KeyScope Project” in the subject line. Those awaiting graduation should send their most recent testimonials. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.