1. Lisandro Colantonio, MD MSc
Fogarty International Clinical Research Fellow 2009-2010
Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of Buenos Aires
Consultant, National Ministry of Health, Argentina
Cardiovascular Health
Research Training and
Mentorship in Argentina

2. Health Research in Argentina
 “…adequate technology-
communications
infrastructure, as well as
highly qualified health and
academic human
resources…”
 “…added to the low cost of
conducting research in the
region compared with the
costs in developed
countries, have been used
by pharmaceutical
companies to actively recruit
LAC populations into
randomized clinical trials.”
Perel P. PLoS Med 2006; 3(9): e344 2
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Health Research in Argentina
 55,424,300 international
dollars (PPP) expended
from public funds in 2006
 32.5% in basic research
 40.9% in non-
communicable diseases
9%
8%
83%
Distribution by type
Clinical research
Public health research
Other
Maceira D. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2010; 27(6): 442-51.

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Clinical Training
 Minimal training in
epidemiology, clinical research or
research methods
 Universities do not usually
conduct epidemiological research
 Research activities in internships
are limited and developed using
free time for both Fellows and
Staff
 Minimal tradition on formal
mentorship programs Dr. Emilio Cermignani

5. Formal Education Research Funding
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Local Research Training
 There are no MSc or PhD
programs in epidemiology
or clinical research
 Several MSc programs
related to management of
health systems and health
policies that include
education on clinical and
public health research
 Local funding for clinical
and epidemiological
research is limited
 In general not aimed to
fund complete projects
 Primarily salary support
 Other expenses excluding
salary
 In general does not include
expenses for training or
education

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Local Research Training
 Small organizations
 Provide training and staff
positions for junior and
senior researchers
 Mixed funding
(public, private, national, int
ernational)
NGOs and private organization
Dr. Raúl Mejía

7. Training Researcher Career
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Argentinean Board of Science and
Technology Research
 To complete a local PhD
program (no PhD programs
available in epidemiology)
 Full-time dedication
 Small salary to the Fellow
(initial position) without
budget for research
 A PhD degree is highly
recommendable
 The researcher career
implies some restrictions to
receive external funding
 Honorary clinical
researcher position
available (no salary)

8. International Training
 Several opportunities aimed to build research capacity in
developing countries
 Includes research training, but also training for projects
management and local advocacy
 Most include formal mentoring programs
 Opportunities to build-up collaborative networks
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Dr. Lydia Bazzano Dr. Jiang He Dr. José Belizán

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Reaching Independence
 Be proactive
 Begin with the end on mind
 Put first things first
Covey SR. The 7 habits of highly effective people. Free
Press, 2004.

10. Paid activities Unpaid activities
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Balancing Multiple Activities
 Consultancy to the Ministry
of Health
 Independent consultancies
 Teaching
 Research
 Research
 Teaching
 Mentoring
 Advocacy

11. Beyond independence…
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Certificate Program in Global Tobacco Control
Bloomberg SPH, JHU, 2011
Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars
and Fellows Symposium, Potomac MD, 2010

12. Thanks to my mentors
 Dr. Emilio Cermignani, Chair and Professor, Department of
Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of La Plata
 Dr. Raúl Mejía, Director, Research Training Program on
Tobacco Control in Argentina
 Dr. Lydia Bazzano, Assistant Professor of
Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane
University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
 Dr. Jiang He, Joseph S. Copes Chair and
Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
 Dr. José Belizán, Department of Mother and Child Health
Research. Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health
Policy (IECS), Argentina
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13. Thanks for his/her critical review
 Dr. Raúl Mejía, Director, Research Training Program on
Tobacco Control in Argentina
 Dr. Adriana Alberti, Lecturer, School of Public
Health, University of Buenos Aires
 Dr. Sergio Sosa Estani, Director, Argentine Institute of
Parasitology Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben
 Dr. Gerald Bloomfield, Assistant Professor of Medicine &
Global Health, Division of Cardiology, Duke University
Medical Center
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