UNC-UNZA-Wits Partnership for Women’s Health Research

Program Overview

The UNC-UNZA-Wits Partnership for HIV and Women’s Reproductive Health Research (UUW) funds African scientists to obtain doctoral and postdoctoral research training. The program is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fogarty International Center.

Ph.D. Training

Our three-year Ph.D. training program includes support for candidates to obtain their doctoral studies at University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Successful candidates will complete Ph.D. coursework in Johannesburg for the first 12-18 months of the program, after which they will complete their dissertation research in Zambia. UUW will cover the cost of Wits tuition/fees, textbooks and course supplies, stipend, travel, and health insurance. Doctoral candidates will also receive seed funding for their research.

Postdoctoral Training

Our one-year postdoctoral training program includes support for candidates to complete a mentored research project in Zambia. Postdoctoral fellows will be assigned to a research study conducted by our UNC Global Projects Zambia team. Fellows will receive a stipend and seed funding for their research.

Travel Awards

The UUW partnership supports travel awards for conferences, meetings, or short courses focusing on HIV and women’s reproductive health. These awards are intended to catalyze new research in the field through investment in scientific and professional development.

Program Leadership

Carla Chibwesha, MD, MSc, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Program Director

Benjamin Chi, MD, MSc, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Program Co-Director

Bellington Vwalika, MDChB, MMed, MSc, University of Zambia

Tobias Chirwa, PhD, University of the Witwatersrand