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Summary of the NIH International Representatives MeetingSeptember 9, 2009Dr. James Herrington, Director,Division of International Relations (DIR), NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC), served as Acting Chair of the session and welcomed the NIH IC representatives to the NIH Stone House. He noted and welcomed two new representatives from the NIH Clinical Center (Ms. Betsy Jett) and the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (Dr. Sally Tinkle). He informed the group that Dr. Rob Lyerla has joined FIC/DIR and will be responsible for the European Region. Dr. Lyerla previously served at UNAIDS and in the CDC. He is a Captain in the Public Health Service. Dr. Francis Collins was installed as NIH Director on August 17, and Dr. Herrington noted that Dr. Collins has identified "Global Health" as one of the top five priorities during his tenure. This view has also been reflected by CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden, and the CDC is planning to establish a "Center for Global Health" to assist in advancing CDC efforts on global health issues. Dr. Herrington next provided information on the President's $63 billion "Global Health Initiative" (GHI) and noted that four interagency committees have been established under the initiative to work on its implementation, including: international coordination, mother and childhood health, health systems strengthening and an overall steering committee. FIC Director Dr. Roger Glass will serve on the GHI Steering Committee. More information on the GHS is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-by-the-President-on-Global-Health-Initiative/ and http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/05/122704.htm. Dr. Herrington touched upon visa issues for visiting scientists. He explained that Dr. John Holdren at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has reportedly made progress in working with U.S. immigration representatives in an effort to ease and/or mitigate visa delays for foreign scientist visiting from abroad who are collaborating with US institutions. He asked the group to inform him if they encounter any substantial complaints from their foreign scientist interlocutors who seek visas to come to the United States. Several NIH senior-level representatives from various ICs have recently begun to meet to undertake a Trans-NIH global health research initiative. The group first met in August and agreed to form three committees: (1) assessing an international database of NIH projects/activities; (2) clinical trials; and, (3) partnership development. Dr. Herrington indicated that he would keep the IC Representatives apprised on the group's activities. NCI Latin America Cancer InitiativeDr. Herrington introduced Dr. Jorge Gomez, Director, NCI Office of Latin American Cancer Program Development (OLACPD), to review the efforts of a Latin America cancer initiative being undertaken among Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and the United States. The OLACPD is an innovative partnership between NCI (supported by FIC) and the 5 Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay. It was launched in recognition of the opportunity to support and enhance cancer research and care in Latin America. The mission of OLACPD is to develop appropriate strategies, research and training programs, and other actions needed to advance cancer research and accelerate progress in reducing cancer for the mutual benefit of the United States and Latin America. OLACPD achieves its mission by collaborating with government agencies, researchers, and organizations to support a comprehensive and coordinated effort. The OLACPD coordinates, develops, and administers multidisciplinary cancer research programs for Latin America in partnerships with other U.S. government agencies and non-profit organizations. It promotes collaborative agreements with the national health ministries, research institutions, universities, and scientists throughout Latin America. It promotes the development of a high-caliber work force in Latin America by providing opportunities for training and education. The overall goal of the training program is to create a cadre of basic and clinical scientists who will, over time, assume leadership for the advancement of cancer research in their respective countries. The capacity-building program strengthens sustainability for Latin American nations by facilitating the acquisition of appropriate tools, providing access to needed information, enhancing communication among investigators, and improving the research infrastructure in the region. A formal agreement that paves the way for the initiative is expected to be signed on September 30, 2009, by Ministers of Health and NCI Director Niederhuber at the Humphrey Building. Dr. Gomez's PowerPoint presentation is attached. NIH IC Research Activities in Latin AmericaDr. Herrington invited the representatives to briefly highlight key research efforts that their respective ICs are conducting in Latin America. The NIEHS representative noted various air pollution and arsenic studies ongoing in Mexico and in Central and South America. The NIAID representative highlighted that NIAID has over 200 projects in the region valued at over $40 million. The NCI representative noted that NCI actively trained over 40 Latin American scientists this past summer and that it supports cancer research projects in 11 countries throughout Latin America. Next Meeting:Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at the Stone House. Attendance:Dr. James.Herrington, Acting Chair; Mr. George Herrfurth, Executive Secretary; NIBIB: Dr. John Haller; NIAID: Mr. Steve Smith, Mr. Darel Barksdale; NIEHS: Dr. Sally Tinkle; NIAMS: Dr. Wilma Peterman Cross; CC: Ms. Betsy Jett; NCI: Dr. Joe Harford, Dr. Jorge Gomez, Dr. Nina Ghorem, Dr. Nelvis Castro, Dr. Teri Brown, Dr, Isabel Otero, Dr. Ben Prickel; NICDC: Dr. Lana Shekim; NEI: Dr. Shara Kabak; NINDS: Dr. Susan Marino; Dr. Giovanna Guerrero; Ms. Stacey Chambers; NIMH: Dr. Willo Pequegnat. FIC: Mr. Ira Allen; Mr. Kevin Bialy; Dr. Dr. Letitia Robinson; M. Britt Ehrhardt; Ms. Sejal Mistry; Ms. Kripa Raghavan; Dr. Flora Katz
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