The UAB Division of Preventive Medicine faculty collaborates with partners from Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt to address the high morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Egyptian population by conducting research across the cancer continuum, from prevention and early detection to treatment and survivorship, in the areas of basic, clinical, social and behavioral, and outcomes research. Within this partnership they have identified sociocultural factors associated with CRC screening in Egypt and implemented a pilot project to reduce barriers to screening. Additionally, researchers have identified sub-populations in Egypt at high-risk for aggressive CRC and examined dietary and physical activity patterns among CRC survivors in Egypt to lay the foundation for future interventions. The UAB-UAFM team has also created structured research training opportunities for early-stage Egyptian investigators through pilot funding from the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health and the Sparkman Center for Global Health that include face-to-face intensive training, remote didactic learning, mentoring, and research experiences through a short-term internship on UAB campus. These studies have been led by assistant professor Dr. Lori Bateman and professor Dr. Mona Fouad.
In addition, our faculty also partner with the Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE) 57357 to provide clinical training in pediatric neuro-oncology, pediatric blood & marrow transplantation (BMT), and pediatric neurosurgery as well as collaborate on clinical and research initiatives. Leads include Dr. Girish Dhall (Division Director, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, Department of Pediatrics), and Dr. James Johnston (Director of Global Neurosurgery Program, Children’s of Alabama at UAB).
Leading UAB Faculty for Central America Initiatives
Lori Bateman, M.S.Ed, M.A., Ph.D.
Partners
Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE) 57357
Alexandria University