The Fogarty AIDS International Training Research Program (AITRP)

Nigeria

Muhammad Gwarzo, Ph.D. began his postdoctoral fellowship in April, 2003. Dr. Gwarzo's training focuses on the use of biochemical and molecular techniques in monitoring and evaluating possible antiretroviral regimens for use in Nigeria. He is also involved in novel research that could potentially lead to the discovery of novel inhibitors of the Nigerian prevailing HIV-1 virus, which is currently an A/G recombinant virus. Upon completion of his fellowship, he will contribute to the development of a Center of Excellence in the areas of HIV/AIDS treatment and care at the Amino Kano Teaching Hospital - a project that the IHV/UMD has funding from CDC for the next 5 years. He is currently a senior lecturer in the Chemical Pathology and Immunology Department of Bayero University in Kano State, Nigeria.

Mali

Toumany Coulibaly, M.D. had just completed medical school at the Faculte de Medicine in Bamako, Mali when his Dean approached him about participating in the IHV/UMB Fogarty AITRP. Since arriving in January, 2002 Dr. Coulibaly, who spoke very little English, has mastered English, successfully completed the TOEFL and GRE exams and has been accepted into the University of Maryland Graduate School Division of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Coulibaly’s coursework will begin in Fall, 2004.