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 the UAB campus. These studies have been led by assistant professor Dr. Lori Bateman and professor Dr. Mona Fouad.
In addition, our faculty 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).
MHIGH has also provided grant funding to faculty within the UAB Division of Hematology & Oncology, collaborating with the 57357 Children’s Cancer Hospital in Cairo, Egypt. This partnership focuses on developing an educational and tele-consultation platform aimed at reducing the time to diagnosis for childhood cancers. Leads on this project include Dr. Noha Sharafeldin (Assistant Professor, Hematology and Oncology) and Dr. Alaa El Haddad (Professor and Pediatric Oncology Chair, Children’s Cancer Hospital – Egypt 57357).
Leading UAB Faculty for North Africa Initiatives
Lori Bateman, M.S.Ed, M.A., Ph.D.
Noha Sharafeldin, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.Noha Sharafeldin, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Partners
Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE) 57357
Alexandria University