Global Health Faculty Pilot Research Grant

Dr Patty Coker Bolt treating Ethiopian patients with cerebral palsy

The MUSC Center for Global Health helps catalyze ideas into action by providing seed grants up to $20,000 to faculty to help them get their research projects off the ground and advance scientific discoveries in low- and middle-income countries.

Since 2013, MUSC has been providing funding to early-stage research projects in global health with our annual Global Health Pilot Grants to catalyze new initiatives and build bridges between disciplines.  

Through this program, the Center for Global Health helps MUSC faculty from every college build and expand global partnerships with leading universities, government agencies, and community and non-governmental organizations.  

Over $18 million in external funding generated from 28 Center for Global Health sponsored research projects.

Grant Application Details

Learn more about applying for the Global Health Faculty Pilot Research Grant.

Previous Grant Awardees

Explore some of the global health research projects from our prior awardees:

Assessment of Variation between LMIC and HIC Surgical Resident Training Experience and the Development of a Universal Case Log System for LMIC Settings
Principal Investigator: Mike Mallah, M.D., College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Edgar B. Rodas, M.D., Virginia Commonwealth University; C. Sierra Stingl, M.D. Stanford University; Benjamin Cassidy, Virginia Commonwealth University

MUSC Department Engaged: Surgery

Partner: Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons

Assessment of Maternal Recognition of Neonatal Sepsis Following Implementation of Standardized Newborn Discharge Education in Western Uganda
Principal Investigator: Lacey MenkinSmith, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Andrea Summer, M.D., College of Medicine; Kathryn Koval, M.D., College of Medicine; Christopher Daly, M.D., College of Medicine; Ian Kane, M.D., College of Medicine; Anthony Alerre, College of Medicine

MUSC Department Engaged: Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Partners: Masindi Kitara Medical Center

Impacting the Sustainability of Health and Economic Self-Sufficiency Through an Organic Farming Business Model in Rural Ghana
Principal Investigator: Cynthia Swenson, Ph.D., College of Medicine

MUSC Department Engaged: Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Kidney Transplantation in Tanzania: A Retrospective Study of Patient Characteristics and Outcomes
Principal Investigators: Amanda Parks, M.D., and Zipporah Krishnasami, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators:

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences: Paschal J Ruggajo, M.D.; Francis Fredrick, M.D.
Muhimbili National Hospital: Jonathan Mngumi, M.D.; Jacqueline Shoo, M.D.; Faraja Chiwanga, M.D.

MUSC Departments Engaged: Infectious Disease, Nephrology

Identifying Cohort for Gene Therapy in Costa Rican Children with Retinal Dystrophy
Principal Investigator: Mae Millicent Peterseim, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Dayna Wolff, Ph.D., MUSC College of Medicine; Joaquin Martinez, M.D., National Children’s Hospital, San Jose

MUSC Departments Engaged: Ophthalmology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

VIA Screening Methods to Prevent Cervical Cancer in Ethiopia: Database for Surveillance of HPV and Associated Risk Factors
Principal Investigator: Mulugeta Gebregziabher, Ph.D., College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Jeff Korte, Ph.D., MUSC College of Medicine; Kathleen Cartmell, Ph.D., Clemson University; Tadesse Urgie, M.D., Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College; Mebrahtu Abay, MPH, and Semaria Solomon, MSc, Aksum University

MUSC Department Engaged: Public Health Sciences

Community Navigation to Address Hypertension Management in Rural Belize
Principal Investigator: Jessica Chandler, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing

Co-investigators: Suparna Qanungo, Ph.D., and Martina Mueller, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing; Dr. Jorge Sajia, Corozal Community Hospital and Deputy Regional Health Manager

Partner: Northern Region of Belize Ministry of Health

Development of a Kenyan Stakeholder-Informed Palliative Care Research Agenda
Principal Investigator: Kathleen Cartmell, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing

Co-investigators: Suparna Qanungo, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing; Maryellen Potts, Ph.D., University of Kansas; Richard Powell, MS, and Faith Mwangi-Powell, Ph.D., MWAPO Health Development Group; Ali Zipporah, M.D., MPH, Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association

Feasibility of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Performed at Mid-Levels of the Healthcare System in Tanzania
Principal Investigator: Susan Dorman, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Peter Zwerner, M.D., and Eric Powers, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine
Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI): Mohamed Janabi, M.D., Ph.D.; Delilah Kimambo, M.D.; Robert Pallangyo, M.D.

Partner: Tanzania Muhimbili National Hospital

MUSC Departments Engaged: Infectious Disease, Cardiology

Improving Quality of Life for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Vietnam: Implementation of Intensive Models of Rehabilitation
Principal Investigators: Patty Coker Bolt, Ph.D., OTR/L, and Craig Velozo, Ph.D., OTR/L, MUSC College of Health Professions

Co-investigators: Stephanie DeLuca, Ph.D., Virginia Tech; Craig Volozo, Ph.D., OTR/L, MUSC College of Health Professions; Baudewijns Johan, Humanity Inclusion, Vietnam

Partners: HoChi Minh City Children’s Hospital; Hanoi Rehabilitation Hospital

Strengthening Food Security by Changing Village Farming Practices in Rural Ghana: The Nkabom Organic Farming Project
Principal Investigator: Cynthia Swenson, Ph.D., Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Samuel Nkrumal Yeboah and Nana Ama Yeboah, Project Okurase in Ghana; Isaac Owu Nkabom, Organic Garden; Carmen Ketron, MUSC Urban Farm

Nurse-Led Education and Engagement for Diabetes Care in Sub-Saharan Africa (NEEDS)
Principal Investigators: Michelle Nichols Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing, and Art Singh, M.D., KNUST Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Co-investigators: Carolyn Jenkins, DrPH, and Suparna Qanungo, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing

Stroke Information Surveillance System (SISS) in Nigeria
Principal Investigator: Bruce Ovbiagele, M.D., Neurology, MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators:

University of Ibadan: Mayowa O Owolabi, DrMed, MBBS; Onoja Akpa, Ph.D.; Joshua Akinyemi, Ph.D.; Oluwafemi Popoola, MB, MSc; Rufus Akinyemi, Ph.D., Issa Kehinde; Oyedunni Arulogun, Ph.D., MPH; Olaniyan Olanrewaju, Ph.D., MSc
MUSC: Mulugeta Gebregziabher, Ph.D., and Anbesaw Selassie, DrPH, Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine; Carolyn Jenkins, DrPH, College of Nursing

Long Distance Travel for HIV-Related Care in Tanzania: Burden or Choice?
Principal Investigator: Virginia Fonner, Ph.D., MUSC College of Medicine, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Co-investigators: Samuel Likindikok, M.D., Muhumbili University of Health and Allied Sciences; Faraja Chiwanga, M.D., Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania

HIV Oral Self-Testing in Tanzania
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Korte, Ph.D., Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine

Co-investigator: Mulugeta Gebregziabher Ph.D., Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine

Partner: Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania

Menstrual Education and Personal Hygiene Supplies to Empower Young Women in Haiti
Principal Investigator: Patty Coker Bolt, Ph.D., OTR/L, MUSC College of Health Professions

Co-investigator: Janet O’Flynn, OTC, Episcopal University of Haiti

Partner: Days for Girls

A Preliminary Investigation of Assets and Challenges Affecting Health and Participation after Spinal Cord Injury in India
Principal Investigators: Susan Newman, Ph.D., and Suparna Qanungo, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing

Partner: Empowering Spinal Cord Injured Persons (ESCIP) Trust India

Survey of HIV Testing at Nairobi VAP Football Tournaments
Principal Investigator: Jeff Korte, Ph.D., Public Health Sciences, MUSC College of Medicine

Co-Investigators: Carolina Vrana and Danielle Stevens, Ph.D. students, MUSC College of Graduate Studies; Samson Chama, Ph.D., Oakwood University

Partner: Vijana Amani Pamoja - Kenya

Patient Navigation to Enhance Palliative Cancer Care Services in Rural India
Principal Investigators: Suparna Qanungo, Ph.D., and Kathleen Cartmell, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing

Co-investigators: Martina Mueller, Ph.D., and Barbara Edlund, RN, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing

Partner: Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre and Research Institute in India

Lipidomic Profile and Contaminants Associated with Pansteatitis in South Africa
Principal Investigator: John Bowden, Ph.D., MUSC College of Graduate Studies

Co-investigators: Theresa Cantu and Jacqueline Bangma, Ph.D. students, MUSC College of Graduate Studies

Partner: University of Limpopo, South Africa

Immune Regulation by Arsenic
Principal Investigator: Azizul Haque, Ph.D., MUSC College of Graduate Studies

Co-investigators: Abigail Lauer, MS, Public Health Sciences, MUSC College of Medicine; Abu Noman, Ph.D., University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Genetic Analysis of Children and Families with Retinal Dystrophy in Costa Rica
Principal Investigator: Mae Millicent Peterseim, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Daynna Woolf, Ph.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Partner: National Children’s Hospital of Costa Rica

MUSC Departments Engaged: Ophthalmology, Pathology and Lab

Health and Simulation in Midwifery Curriculum in India
Principal Investigator: Jennifer Shearer, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing

Co-investigator: Leena Raj, MSc, College of Nursing, Bangalore Baptist Hospital in India

Establishment of a Pilot Telemedicine Network in Honduras
Principal Investigator: Andrea Summer, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators: James McElligott, M.D., and Ken Holden, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

MUSC Departments Engaged: Pediatrics, Neurology

Improving Health Through Implementation of a Village-Based Complex Biogas System
Principal Investigator: Cynthia Swenson, Ph.D., Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigator: Sara Logan, Ph.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Community Assessment for Phone-Based Intervention under Nurse Guidance after Stroke (CA for PINGS)
Principal Investigators: Carolyn Jenkins, DrPH, MUSC College of Nursing, and Bruce Ovbiagele, M.D., Neurology, MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Frank Treiber, Ph.D., MUSC College of Nursing; Fred Sarfo, Ph.D., Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Partnership Screening Program for Sickle Cell Disease in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Principal Investigator: Julie Kanter, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigator: Shelly Ann-Williams, M.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Partner: The Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

MUSC Departments Engaged: Pediatrics Hematology/Oncology, Pediatrics

Spatiotemporal and Regional Variation in HIV Testing
Principal Investigator: Mulugeta Gebregziabher, Ph.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators:

MUSC College of Medicine: Patrick Mauldin, Ph.D., Andrew Lawson, Ph.D., Anbesaw Selassie, Ph.D., and Michael Sweat, Ph.D., Preston Church, M.D.
Mekelle University, Ethiopia: Amanuel Haile, M.D., and Loko Bongassie, M.D.

MUSC Departments Engaged: Public Health Sciences, Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Modeling Tobacco Control Policy in Mexico: A Tool for Public Health
Principal Investigator: Kenneth Cummings, Ph.D., MPH, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, MUSC College of Medicine

Co-Investigator: James Thrasher, Ph.D., University of South Carolina

Partner: Mexico Ministry of Health

Prevalence and Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease in Rural Tanzania
Principal Investigator: David Ploth, M.D., Nephrology, MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigators: Philip Zager, M.D., University of New Mexico; Michael Sweat, Ph.D., MUSC College of Medicine

Partner: Muhimibili University of Allied Health and Sciences (MUHAS), Tanzania

MUSC Departments Engaged: Nephrology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Identification of Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors Targeting PqsR: A Novel Strategy to Treat Pseudomonas Infection
Principal Investigator: Yong-Mei Zhang, Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MUSC College of Graduate Studies

Co-investigator: Chen-Hang Sun, Ph.D., Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Building Global Capacity for Pediatric Constraint-induced Movement Therapy in Low-Income Countries
Principal Investigator: Patty Coker-Bolt, Ph.D., OTR/L, College of Health Professions

Co-investigators: Michelle Woodbury, Ph.D., College of Health Professions; Eric Gokcen, M.D., Cure Ethiopia Hospital; Stephanie DeLuca, Ph.D., and Sharon Ramsey, Ph.D., Virginia Tech

Applying the Science of Early Childhood Development in Rural Ghana
Principal Investigator: Eve Spratt, M.D., Pediatrics, MUSC College of Medicine

Co-investigator: Jennifer Poon, M.D., Pediatrics, MUSC College of Medicine

Partner: Project Okurase, Ghana