K43TW012594
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Exposure to mixtures of emerging contaminants in the environment - are communities in Uganda at health risk? - A case study of Mbarara City.
Project Summary/Abstract:
River Rwizi, the main source of water for Mbarara City and surroundings, is threatened by anthropogenic pollution. Preliminary studies detected pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals at concentrations higher than WHO drinking water recommendations, exposing over 91,964 city residents to pollutants. Pollutant exposure is linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and emerging pollutants (EPs) pose new threats to human health. No study has fully characterized EPs in River Rwizi or wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in its catchment yet EPs and wastewater have an inextricable link. It is hypothesized that the changing anthropogenic activities in Mbarara City have increased the concentrations of EPs in River Rwizi, exposing residents to higher risks of NCDs through perturbations of the metabolome. This study will inform intervention strategies to reduce environmentally induced diseases in LMICs, contributing to NIEHS goals and Uganda's health priorities of disease prevention, mitigation, and control.
Candidate:
I have skills in research methodology, data analysis, scientific presentation, and manuscript writing accrued during my BS, MSC, and PhD training and research works that resulted in 23 publications so far. This K43 grant will secure me training and mentorship in: advanced research methodology, management of large data, research administration, responsible conduct of research, and grant writing. This proposed career development plan will build on my previous training to facilitate me to become an independent investigator through five training goals: 1) execution of advanced qualitative and quantitative 1H-NMR and LC-MS metabolomics; 2) advanced statistical analyses; 3) interpretation of metabolomics data in the context of biological processes; 4) strengthening leadership and professional skills; and 5) application of histopathology to chronic exposure studies.
Mentors and Environment:
This plan will benefit from physical and human resources available through Mbarara University of Science and Technology [through Dr. Tusubira and Prof. Alele (biochemist and toxicologist)], the Universities of San Diego and Makerere [Profs. Bolender and Ntale, chemists].
Research:
I will (i) identify and quantify EPs in River Rwizi and in WWTPs in its catchment using chromatographic techniques and wastewater epidemiology approach. (ii) The effect of exposure to EPs will be studied by metabolomics and histopathology approaches. My short-term goal is to identify candidate metabolites associated with exposure to EPs while my long-term goal is to develop a career in environmental toxicology. Towards the end of this support, I will apply for an R01.
Project Summary/Abstract:
River Rwizi, the main source of water for Mbarara City and surroundings, is threatened by anthropogenic pollution. Preliminary studies detected pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals at concentrations higher than WHO drinking water recommendations, exposing over 91,964 city residents to pollutants. Pollutant exposure is linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and emerging pollutants (EPs) pose new threats to human health. No study has fully characterized EPs in River Rwizi or wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in its catchment yet EPs and wastewater have an inextricable link. It is hypothesized that the changing anthropogenic activities in Mbarara City have increased the concentrations of EPs in River Rwizi, exposing residents to higher risks of NCDs through perturbations of the metabolome. This study will inform intervention strategies to reduce environmentally induced diseases in LMICs, contributing to NIEHS goals and Uganda's health priorities of disease prevention, mitigation, and control.
Candidate:
I have skills in research methodology, data analysis, scientific presentation, and manuscript writing accrued during my BS, MSC, and PhD training and research works that resulted in 23 publications so far. This K43 grant will secure me training and mentorship in: advanced research methodology, management of large data, research administration, responsible conduct of research, and grant writing. This proposed career development plan will build on my previous training to facilitate me to become an independent investigator through five training goals: 1) execution of advanced qualitative and quantitative 1H-NMR and LC-MS metabolomics; 2) advanced statistical analyses; 3) interpretation of metabolomics data in the context of biological processes; 4) strengthening leadership and professional skills; and 5) application of histopathology to chronic exposure studies.
Mentors and Environment:
This plan will benefit from physical and human resources available through Mbarara University of Science and Technology [through Dr. Tusubira and Prof. Alele (biochemist and toxicologist)], the Universities of San Diego and Makerere [Profs. Bolender and Ntale, chemists].
Research:
I will (i) identify and quantify EPs in River Rwizi and in WWTPs in its catchment using chromatographic techniques and wastewater epidemiology approach. (ii) The effect of exposure to EPs will be studied by metabolomics and histopathology approaches. My short-term goal is to identify candidate metabolites associated with exposure to EPs while my long-term goal is to develop a career in environmental toxicology. Towards the end of this support, I will apply for an R01.
Funding Goals
THE JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER (FIC) SUPPORTS RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING TO REDUCE DISPARITIES IN GLOBAL HEALTH AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN U.S. SCIENTISTS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS ABROAD. FIC SUPPORTS BASIC BIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, AS WELL AS RELATED RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. THE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO IS DIVIDED INTO SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT A WIDE VARIETY OF FUNDING MECHANISMS TO MEET PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Uganda
Geographic Scope
Foreign
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 185% from $108,103 to $308,407.
Mbarara University Of Science And Technology was awarded
Health Risks of Emerging Contaminants in Uganda: A Case Study of Mbarara City
Project Grant K43TW012594
worth $308,407
from Fogarty International Center in July 2023 with work to be completed primarily in Uganda.
The grant
has a duration of 4 years 9 months and
was awarded through assistance program 93.989 International Research and Research Training.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 6/5/25
Period of Performance
7/27/23
Start Date
4/30/28
End Date
Funding Split
$308.4K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$308.4K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to K43TW012594
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
K43TW012594
SAI Number
K43TW012594-4100823709
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Non-Domestic (Non-U.S.) Entity
Awarding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Funding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Awardee UEI
HWXLSV26ZLC3
Awardee CAGE
SET51
Performance District
Not Applicable
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John E. Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Health and Human Services (075-0819) | Health research and training | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $108,103 | 100% |
Modified: 6/5/25