African Nutritional Sciences Research Consortium (ANSRC): Laboratory-based PhD Training in Nutritional and Agricultural Sciences in East Africa

Principal Investigator

Debra Wolgemuth
Debra Wolgemuth
Debra Wolgemuth

Project Description

The African Nutritional Sciences Research Consortium (ANSRC) is a consortium bringing together academic and research institutions across the East African region with the goal of developing a model multi-institutional, Africa-based PhD level training program in basic nutritional and agricultural sciences that will promote intra-Africa collaborations, enhanced sustainability, and meaningful interactions with Columbia faculty and graduate students. ANSRC seeks to build a PhD program in basic laboratory research that will greatly expand training opportunities and facilities beyond that available at any single institution. ANSRC will establish curricula and laboratory training, monitor research projects, establish Centers of Excellence within which the research activities will be enhanced, and as a consortium, decide the quality of the dissertation to merit a PhD degree for individual students at their host universities. ANSRC will not just offer laboratory based training for academics sake, but will link graduate students’ training to a “path to action” wherein students will be conducting basic research relating to public health problems in East Africa. ANSRC will also strive to establish private – public interactions, to ensure that their research projects enhance local economic development. ANSRC is distinct in that it will coordinate two interrelated laboratory training tracks: one in basic human nutritional sciences and one in agricultural sciences. Thus, long-term capacity building in human nutrition will be linked with agriculture and food production.

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