Welcoming new Global Health Research Fellows

2 July 2024

We are delighted to announce three new Elizabeth Blackwell Institute Global Health Research Fellowships. Their 12 month projects will be based at the Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, at the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) in Harare. Here, they tell us a few words about their projects and the positive impact this research could have on people’s health.

David Hettle

Specialist Registrar in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, Severn Deanery / Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol

Evaluating the impact of BioFire FilmArray system in promoting rapid diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship in Zimbabwe

"Bloodstream infections are a critical issue worldwide, yet there is a large gap in research which explores diagnostics used in the investigation and treatment of bloodstream infections in low-resource settings. Being involved in this work provides huge opportunity to improve the diagnosis and therefore management of this critical condition in line with the aims of Zimbabwe's national action plan on antimicrobial resistance. Excitingly, alongside impacting patient care, it offers opportunity to learn from local staff, provide laboratory and clinical training, and drive sustainable improvement in diagnostic services for those patients with serious infections."

Jack Stanley

NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, Severn Deanery Trust / Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol

Investigating practices around antimicrobial prescribing in Harare, Zimbabwe

“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest challenges facing health systems worldwide and, like many global health challenges, its impact is disproportionately felt in countries in the global South. Our work will aim to optimise an understanding of trends in resistance and prescribing patterns in Zimbabwe, as well as bettering understanding of how clinicians use and design guidelines in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries to aid in tackling this urgent threat.”

Angus De Wilton

Speciality registrar in Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust / Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol

Improving tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment through the validation of novel testing modalities and biomarkers  

“Tuberculosis (TB) continues to cause a huge burden of disease globally, and in 2019 was estimated to cause 1.6 million deaths globally, disproportionately affecting disadvantages populations. The ERASE TB study is investigating novel diagnostic tests to predict those likely to go on to develop active TB, so preventative treatment can be provided in a timely and cost effective manner. My project will be embedded within the ERASE-TB study and this work aims to develop new tools to stop the development of active TB, reducing the huge morbidity and mortality that TB causes.”

The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute Global Health Research Fellowship scheme 2024 is funded by the Department of Research and Innovation at North Bristol NHS Trust using unrestricted funding accrued during vaccine trial work with the following companies: AstraZeneca, Valneva, Moderna and Janssen.

It provides opportunities for clinically qualified medical trainees who are at an early stage to undertake a period of research with a view to exploring a career in academic medicine. Ideally this project would then form the basis of an application for PhD funding.