Strengthening Neurology Research Capacity
Supported by the NIH Fogarty International Center’s D43 training mechanism, TRENNDZ strengthens capacity for neurologic disease research by pairing rigorous didactic instruction with mentored, hands-on investigation in Zambia and partner institutions. The D43 program provides long-term investment in research infrastructure, data systems, and protected time for early-career investigators, enabling sustainable, locally led discovery in epilepsy, stroke, neuroinfectious and other chronic neurologic conditions across the lifespan. Learn more about the Fogarty International Center D43 mechanism at https://www.fic.nih.gov/Programs/Pages/chronic-lifespan.aspx. The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka serves as Zambia’s principal tertiary referral center and academic neurology hub, offering high-volume inpatient and outpatient services, neurodiagnostic facilities, and a diverse portfolio of observational studies and interventional clinical trials. Within this environment, the UTH-Neurology Research Office coordinates protocol development, regulatory submissions, data management, and research training for neurologists, trainees, and multidisciplinary clinical research staff. For information on institutional research oversight, please review the UTH Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Policy. Existing neurology research images on this site should be reused alongside this section to visually highlight the clinical, educational, and scientific activities supported by TRENNDZ and the D43 award.
TRENNDZ is funded through a grant from the US National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center D43TW013000
About TRENNDZ
Although the Institute of Medicine released a detailed report of the enormous burden of neurological disorders in resource-limited tropical settings, including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), almost a quarter of a century ago, huge knowledge gaps remain. With a well-established post-graduate training program in clinical neurology, Zambian physicians are tackling the medical care needs of Neuro-NCDs, but limited understanding of the pathophysiology and epidemiology of common Neuro-NCDs in the region present a major barrier to optimizing care and developing appropriate preventive strategies. TRENNDZ, Training for Research Excellence in Neurological NCD and Disorders in Zambia, will provide foundational research methods training for Zambian clinician scientists as well as hands-on practical skills instruction complimented by opportunities for extended mentored research experiences in-country and abroad to establish locally the expertise needed for the development of high-quality, relevant research programs addressing Neuro-NCDs in sub-Saharan Africa.
TRENNDZ was awarded to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia and is administered by the Neurology Research Office at the Children’s Hospital.
Leadership
Administrative Support
TRENNDZ Neurology Research Office (NRO) provides comprehensive administrative support for the program, including coordination of fellow activities, budget and grant management, and regulatory oversight. Working closely with the University of Rochester, NIH/Fogarty, CIDRZ, and our other collaborating institutions, the NRO team ensures that training, research, and clinical activities are efficiently organized, compliant, and sustainably supported.
Neurology Research Office (NRO) Team
Ivy Mulwani
Administrator
George Saminganja
Accountant
Ruth Best Banda
Data Manager & Administrative Assistant
Margret Mulwani
Research Assistant
Eunice Malufu
Office Assistant
Collaborating institutions & programme directors
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) is a leading academic medical center in the United States with longstanding strength in neurology and neuroscience research. Within the TRENNDZ collaboration, URMC contributes expertise in clinical trial design, biostatistics, and mentoring for early‑career investigators, helping to strengthen neurology research capacity in Zambia.
D. Bearden – Academic Affairs
University of Zambia
The University of Zambia is a key implementing partner for TRENNDZ, providing the main clinical and research setting for neurology trainees and fellows and helping lead locally relevant research in Zambia.
M. Kvalsund
M. Kapapa
UTH Children’s Hospital
UTH Children’s Hospital serves as a primary pediatric clinical site for TRENNDZ, providing access to children with neurological conditions for both clinical care and research. Clinicians and researchers at UTH support study recruitment, data collection, and implementation of evidence‑based practices, ensuring that TRENNDZ findings directly benefit children and families in Zambia.
A. Patel
D. Tembo
UTH Adult Hospital
UTH Adult Hospital is a major clinical partner for TRENNDZ, providing a high‑volume adult neurology setting for patient care and research. Clinicians at UTH help identify and enroll participants, support data collection, and integrate research findings into routine practice to improve neurological care for adults in Zambia.
D. Saylor
M. Asukile
Events
Symposium
Interactive case discussions on complex neuroimmunology patients with emphasis on trial-eligible phenotypes.
Workshop
Workshop on designing pragmatic neurology registries, integrating electronic records, and preparing competitive grant applications.
