Master's Support — Reducing Stroke Risk Factors

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, 'A targeted self-management Intervention for Reducing Stroke Risk Factors in High Risk Ugandans'. The program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). One aspect of the program is to provide advanced degree training to qualified candidates with an interest in pursuing clinical and research careers in Stroke. Trainees will be expected to develop and maintain a productive career devoted to Stroke Research, Clinical Practice and Prevention. The project is aiming at growing research capacity in Stroke Risk Reduction and training the next generation of stroke health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa.

About the training support The project is soliciting applications for Masters Research thesis support in stroke-related research at Makerere University and Mbarara University, cohort 5, 2025/2026. Support is provided to Master's students to undertake thesis research that advances understanding of stroke and its prevention, care and outcomes in Uganda.

Eligibility Applicants should be Master's students in one 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 related field). Applicants should have completed at least one year of their Master's training in the courses listed above, and demonstrate interest in Stroke and Neurological diseases, care and prevention, with a commitment to develop and maintain a productive career devoted to Stroke, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research areas Applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the following broad brain health research priority areas (themes), and are not limited to these themes: the epidemiology of stroke and associated risk factors; stroke risk factors and outcomes (mortality, morbidity) for stroke, stroke genetics, and preventive measures among adults; stroke in childhood and its associated factors and preventative measures; stroke epidemiology and other stroke-related topics; and stroke interventions and rehabilitation.

Additional training In addition to the formal Master's program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Good Clinical Practice, behavioral sciences research, data and statistical analysis, and research management.

Review criteria Applicants will be reviewed based on: relevance to program objectives; quality of research and research project approach; feasibility of study; mentors and mentoring plan (including who the mentors are, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate); and ethics and human subjects' protection.

How to apply Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from professional referees or mentors, and a 2-page concept or an approved full proposal describing the project and addressing stroke risk factors or a stroke-related problem. A soft copy should be submitted to the Training Coordinator, Reducing Stroke Project, by email at reducingstroke@gmail.com.

Contacts and deadline For more information, inquiries, and additional advice on developing concepts, contact: Makerere University College of Health Sciences - Prof. Elly Katabira (katabira@infocom.co.ug) and Dr. 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. The closing date for receipt of applications is 12th June 2025.