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Global Health Matters >
Articles in this issue > Getting a GRIP
on Brain Drain
Getting a GRIP on Brain Drain
FIC and eight NIH partners are supporting the Global Health Research
Initiative Program (GRIP) to promote the productive re-entry of
young NIH-trained foreign investigators from the developing world
to their home countries. Awards provide $54,000 annually for up
to 5 years. The program is part of FIC's broader effort to enhance
scientific research infrastructure in developing countries. It is
combating "brain drain" and ensuring that developing countries do
not lose the benefit of talented scientists, some of whom might
otherwise decide not to return home after their training. In fiscal
year 2004, FIC has awarded or will award the following GRIP awards:
- Leticia Marteleto, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil—demography
of the young and the elderly.
- Anneli Uuskula, University of Tartu, Estonia—home screening
of STDs.
- Denver T. Hendricks, University of Capetown, South Africa—esophageal
cancer (funded by NCI).
- Alicia Aleman, University of the Republic, Uruguay—antenatal
corticosteroids.
- Rosina Cianelli, Catholic University of Chile—HIV/AIDS
prevention.
- Mario Caba, Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico—ontogenetic
changes in control of rhythmicity in rabbits.
- Marcus Andrade, Universidad Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil—mast
cell toll-like receptors and parasitic pathogens.
- José Vazquez-Prado, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico—molecular mechanisms
in polarized cell migration.
José Vazquez-Prado, Ph.D., was involved in early discussions with
FIC on the need for the GRIP program. Now at his home institution
in Mexico, he is working on molecular mechanisms in polarized cell
migration of endothelial cells. His group is studying protein-protein
interactions that are important for angiogenesis and is contributing
to the identification of novel potential targets for antiangiogenic
therapies. He mentors young graduate students who work in this important
area. "I hope," he said, "that some of my students will eventually
have the opportunity to train at NIH and to maintain and extend
the scientific links that I established there, working with talented
scientists from around the world." Dr. Vazquez-Prado praises FIC's
efforts to promote the careers of new foreign investigators through
the GRIP. "I am certain that this program will contribute to extending
the benefits of training at NIH. I am confident that it will increase
the scientific impact of my own country in global terms and will
consolidate opportunities for collaborative efforts."
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