Pakistan-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Program Annual Technical Report Form

Transcription

1 Pakistan-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Program Annual Technical Report Form Reports should be prepared jointly by the Pakistani and U.S. principal investigators and should cover all project-related activities carried out during the reporting period on both sides. Please expand the boxes below to accommodate all the information you need to include. Project Title: Establishing a Biostatistical Consulting Center in Pakistan. Pakistani Principal Investigator: U.S. Principal Investigator: Talat Naseer Pasha H. Anwar Ahmad Reporting Period: October 01, 2012 September 30, 2013 Summary of Activities During Reporting Period: The project, Establishing a Biostatistical Consulting Center in Pakistan (BCC) is a collaborative effort between Jackson State University, USA (JSU) and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan (UVAS) with the following objectives and specific aims: Objectives: a) Strengthen the biomedical and veterinary research infrastructure in UVAS and Pakistan; b) Provide all aspects of biostatistical services to investigators and students; and c) Foster interdisciplinary research collaborations among investigators and their peers at UVAS, JSU and other collaborating institutions in Pakistan and USA. Specific aims: 1. To establish a state of the art statistical computing laboratory at UVAS by acquiring new hardware and software; 2. To provide expertise to researchers at UVAS and collaborating institutions in planning, conducting, analyzing and reporting of experiments on animal production, disease surveillance and prevention, public health and other areas of veterinary and biomedical research; 3. To develop project websites and web-based biostatistics course and related information; 4. To conduct series of workshops, short courses and/or seminars, at UVAS, on various aspects of experimental designs and data analyses; 5. To train researchers and students, particularly women, in experimental design, data collection and management, and data analysis at UVAS and collaborating institutions by providing onsite training, distance education, short-term JSU-USA visits, and consulting services. During the current reporting period of October 01, 2012 to September 30, 2013, the project has successfully achieved many of its stated objectives and specific aims: The Biostatistics computer lab at UVAS is functioning smoothly and providing consulting services to researchers and faculty across Pakistan. The lab was instrumental in providing training facilities during the project-third year planned activities through workshops, short courses, and software training. 1

2 Following is a brief summary of other objectives that were achieved through training, exchange visits, consulting and related activities, and development of new research projects and grant proposals for extramural funding during the 3rd year of the project: TRAINING Workshop-9, December 18-22, 2012 UVAS. Data Analysis Methodologies. This five day workshop was conducted at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. There were 37 registered participants (21M: 16F) representing 9 institutions of Pakistan. The five day workshop covered basic biostatics methodologies, software training, animal research trials and data analysis, and competitive grant writing. Workshop brochure and picture are attached. Workshop-10, December 27-29, 2012 UAF. Biostatistics and Data Analysis Concepts. This three day workshop was conducted at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad exclusively for its faculty and graduate students. There were 40 registered participants (34 M: 6F) from seven different faculties and institutes of the university who were trained in advanced experimental designs and data analysis methodologies along with developing research proposals for extramural funding. The workshop brochure and pictures are attached. Short Course-11, May 13-18, 2013 UVAS. Biostat and Data Analysis Methodologies. This six day intense course on Biostatistics covered fundamental concepts in data analysis, basic exposure to various analytical software and concluded with manuscript and research proposal development. There were 33 registered participants (17M: 16F) representing 14 institutions of Pakistan. The US attaché to Pakistan visited the course. The workshop pictures are attached. Short Course-12, May 13-18, 2013 CVAS. Biostat and Data Analysis Methodologies. This three day short course on Biostatistics was exclusively delivered for the sub campus of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Jhang. It covered fundamental concepts in data analysis and research proposal development. There were 20 registered participants (18M: 02F). The workshop pictures are attached. Video Course: Virtual Education Program Pakistan (VEPP) sponsored a 2 credit hour video course on advanced Biostatistics from August 7 to November 13, There were 54 registered participants from the University of Karachi and University of Baluchistan (40F:14M) who took the final exam and were awarded credits from their respective institutions. Course flyer and participants list is attached. In total, 184 (104M: 80F) faculty, researchers, and graduate students from more than 20 institutions of Pakistan were trained, in different aspects of experimental designs, data analyses, software training, manuscript writing and proposal development through several formal and informal training and consulting activities conducted during the third year of the project. The participants came from various disciplines of biological and life sciences and fostered long term relationships for future collaborative research. Exchange Visits: The PI-Pakistan and vice chancellor, UVAS, Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha visited JSU from June 2-7. During his stay he met with the JSU faculty and administrators to foster mutual collaborative links between the two institutions. Dr. Pasha also visited Tuskegee University and Clark Atlanta 2

3 University and held meetings with their researchers and administrators for joint academic and research partnerships between the institutions and to arrange exchange visits among the faculty and students. Three Pakistani visiting scholars from UVAS, Drs. Imtiaz Rabbani, Sadaf Aslam; and Mr. Jibran Hussain visited JSU from May 28 to August 25. The scholars went through a rigorous three months long training in data analysis, analytical software, manuscript writing and research proposal development. Three research projects on Hepatitis-C prevalence in Pakistan; Halal Meat Export Potential of Pakistan and Pakistan Poultry Industry Evolution were developed and are under review process for publications in peer reviewed journals. Several presentations of those projects are also planned. Grantsmanship: 1. Akil, L, PI, Ahmad, H.A. Mentor, Effects of Climate Change and Extreme Events on Food Safety. Submitted to USDA-AFRI NIFA (GRANT ) on March 7, 2013 for with total funding request of $150, Ahmad, H.A. Faculty Manager, Center for Environmental Health-Biostatistical & Bioinformatics Core. National Institutes of Health-RCMI, $975,131 for Funded 3. Ahmad, H.A. PI, Establishing a Graduate Program in Applied Biostatics at UVAS-Pakistan. US Department of State-HEC, November 30 for $403,117 for Ahmad, H.A. PI, PakED: An Online Higher Education Initiative for Pakistan Youth. US Department of State-HEC, November 30 for $171,050 for Ahmad, H.A. PI, Econometric Modeling of Pakistani Dairy Animals for Optimal Production and Profitability. US Department of State-HEC, November 30 for $307,267 for Ahmad, H.A., PI, Rural Women Empowerment through Agri-business Training, Health Education and Micro-financing opportunities. US Department of State-HEC, November 30 for $79,261 for Consultations: A series of formal meetings, during my December, 2012 and May, 2013 visits of Pakistan, and during June, 2013 PI-Pakistan visit of JSU, were held with various academicians and administrators. Following is a brief description of those meetings: 1. June 03, Formal meetings were held with JSU VP-Research and Dean College of Science Engineering and Technology to develop mutual relationships between the JSU and UVAS. 2. June 04, Formal meeting were held with Tuskegee University VP-Sponsored Programs and Dean College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health to foster research collaborations between UVAS and Tuskegee. 3. June 05, Formal meetings were held with Clark Atlanta Provost and Director Cancer Research Institute to foster research collaborations and student/faculty training. 4. June 21, Research collaborative meetings were held with University of Southern Mississippi researchers on joint projects between the two institutions involving Pakistani counterparts. 5. Apart from above mentioned activities, numerous formal and informal meetings were held with faculty and researchers in Pakistan where consultations and advice were provided for data 3

4 analyses and development of new research proposals on various agriculture, animal production and public health related projects in Pakistan. Website Development: Primary websites at were updated and maintained for all the project related information and progress, including workshop schedules, programs, and lectures; and Biostatistics course contents with PowerPoint presentations. Educational Impacts: The project, through series of workshops, shot courses, video course, formal and informal meetings, and consultations, has trained 184 graduate students, researchers and faculty across several academic, research and policy institutions in Pakistan. Graduate students and young faculty at UVAS and other institutions were also mentored on project development and manuscript writing for peer reviewed publications. Through consultations with heads of various academic and research institutions in Pakistan and USA, plans were made to enhance collaborative research; write and submit proposals for extramural funding; explore opportunities for cooperative funding between US agencies and UVAS; and launch of a new degree program at UVAS. Infrastructure Development: The Biostatistics computer lab at UVAS is functioning smoothly with 20 computers, two laptop, projector and related equipment in an environmentally controlled and well-furnished space. All computers are equipped with updated versions of several statistical and analytical software packages. This lab has paved the way for continuous software training, workshops and seminars on experimental designs and data analysis. The lab provides computing and consulting services to researchers and faculty throughout Pakistan. Plans are underway to efficiently maintain and upgrade this lab in the coming year. Publications: 1. Ahmad, H. A., Rabbani, I., Hussain, J., and Aslam, S., Halal meat exports: Prospects for Pakistan. Journal of Animal Science, submitted August 22 (ID: E ). 2. Hussain, J., Rabbani, I., Aslam, S., and Ahmad, H.A., Poultry Industry in Pakistan: A Purview. World Poultry Science Journal, submitted August 21 (ID: WPSJ-OR ). 3. Swatantra, R. K., Tchounwou, P.B., Ahmad, H. A., Yerramilli, A., Young, J.H., Geospatial Interpolation and Mapping of Surface Ozone Pollution using Geostatistics. IJERPH. Submitted 24 May 2013, Manuscript ID: ijerph Hussain, J., Akram, M., Ahmad, H.A., Sahota, A.W., Ahmad, S., Hussain, F., Mehmood, S. Jatoi, A.S., Selection for higher three week body weight in Japanese quail through mass selection procedure and its effect on growth traits. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. Submitted, manuscript code: VET Presentations: 1. Ahmad, H.A., Effects of Environmental Changes on Foodborne Illnesses and Associated Risk Assessment. 10 th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health Research, Jackson Convention Complex, Jackson, Mississippi, USA, September

5 2. Akil, L and Ahmad, H.A Quantitative Risk Assessment Model for Salmonella Infections in Broiler Chicken. 10 th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health Research, Jackson Convention Complex, Jackson, Mississippi, USA, September Ahmad, H.A, Establishing a Biostatistics Consulting Center in Pakistan. AMSE: Improving STEM and Higher Education Opportunities in Developing Countries at 50 th ISNA Convention, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C., August 30-September 2 4. Bilal. M, Ahmad, H.A., and Ayyub, R.M., Forecast Model for the Production of Cotton in Pakistan. International Journal of Business and Tourism and Applied Sciences Conference for Academic, University of London Union Senate House UK, August L Akil and HA Ahmad, Neural network modeling of salmonella infections in Mississippi (Abstract No ). Sixth health disparities conference, Improving Medical Effectiveness and Health Outcomes to Achieve Health Equity through Interprofessional Collaborations", Sheraton Hotel, New Orleans, March L Akil and HA Ahmad, Neural network prediction of salmonella in Mississippi (abstract no ). 13 th RCMI International Symposium on Health Disparities, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA, December L Akil and HA Ahmad, Effects of temperature on salmonella infections in Mississippi (abstract no ). 13 th RCMI International Symposium on Health Disparities, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA, December H. A. Ahmad and L. Akil, Neural Network Modeling: An Efficient Tool to Forecast Biological Variables (abstract no ). 13 th RCMI International Symposium on Health Disparities, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA, December Research Projects and Manuscripts in Progress: 1. Predicting true Hepaptitis-C Prevalence in Pakistan 2. Halal Meat Export Potential of Pakistan 3. Pakistan Poultry Industry Evolution 4. Rural Women Development through Micro-financing and Agri-business Opportunities Additional Funding: Please list any additional funding applied for or received to help support your project during this reporting period. VEPP has sponsored two credit hour video courses on Biostatistics. Several grant proposals were submitted including the 5 th cycle of Pakistan-US S&T Cooperation Program. Linkages with Government or Private Industry: Please describe any linkages developed with government agencies or companies interested in implementing the results of your project. Following are the universities and organizations interacted/consulted during the reporting period: 1. University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 2. University of Health Sciences, Lahore 3. University of Punjab, Lahore 5

6 4. University of Lahore 5. King Edward Medical University, Lahore 6. Lahore College for Women-University 7. Services Medical Institute, Lahore 8. Islamia College, Lahore 9. Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore 10. Punjab Institute of Public Health, Lahore 11. National/ACE Institute, Lahore 12. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 13. University of Gujarat 14. PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi 15. COMSATS, Islamabad 16. National University of Science & Technology, Islamabad 17. Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad 18. University of Karachi 19. Agha Khan University, Karachi 20. University of Baluchistan 21. Virtual Education Program Pakistan 22. Tuskegee University, Alabama, USA 23. Clark Atlanta University, Georgia, USA 24. University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi, USA Problems Encountered: During the current reporting period of the project, all planned activities and objectives were accomplished smoothly. These include successful visits of four UVAS scholars to JSU, two summer internee; conducting two workshops, two short courses, one video course; and series of formal meetings with academicians and administrators for collaborative research between US and Pakistani research institutes in the coming years. Biostat Computer Lab at UVAS has been functioning smoothly and planned for upgrade. The carryover funds, both from Pakistan and US sides, from the previous years will be efficiently utilized in the extended period to completely achieve the project goals and objectives. At present we have no issue to report. Plans for Activities during the Coming Year: Following is a brief description of the planned extended 4 th year activities: 1. One-to-two workshops on different aspects of experimental designs and data analyses will be offered to graduate students and young faculty at UVAS. 2. Seminars on experimental designs and data analyses are planned to be delivered at UVAS. 6

7 3. Consulting services, through one-to-one meetings and/or electronic means will be provided to researchers, faculty, and students to develop new research projects and manuscripts. 4. Computer Lab at UVAS will be maintained and upgraded for hardware. 5. Several research proposals are in progress and will be submitted to various funding agencies in USA and Pakistan, including the next cycle of Pakistan-US S&T Cooperation Program in summer, Research papers will be presented and published in scientific forums. Indicators Reporting Period: 1. Number of higher education partnerships between Pakistani and U.S. 23 institutions (see note below) 2. Number of journal articles, technical reports, books, or book chapters (published or accepted for publication) resulting from your project during the reporting period 3. Number conference presentations resulting from your project during 8 the reporting period 4. Number of training events (courses, workshops, seminars, 12 conferences, stakeholders meetings) conducted on your project during the reporting period 5. Total number of Pakistanis making exchange visits on your project 4 during the reporting period Number of women 1 Number of men 3 6. Total number of Americans making exchange visits on your project 0 during the reporting period Number of women Number of men 7. Total number of exchange visits overall during the reporting period 4 8. Total number of Pakistani PhD students involved in the project Number of women Number of men 9. Total number of American PhD students involved in the project 1 Number of women 1 Number of men Total number of all other Pakistanis not listed above who participated in your project during the reporting period (Include in this 184 total those who were involved as researchers, MS or undergraduate students, technicians, or data collectors, as well as those who received formal training in workshops or courses or participated in conferences 7 4 submitted

8 or stakeholders meetings organized as part of the project.) Number of women 80 Number of men Total number of all other Americans not listed above who 2 participated in your project during the reporting period (Include in this total those who were involved as researchers, MS or undergraduate students, technicians, or data collectors, as well as those who received formal training in workshops or courses or participated in conferences or stakeholders meetings organized as part of the project.) Number of women 2 Number of men 8

9 Workshop no 9. Data Analysis Methodologies at UVAS, December 18-22,

10 Participants of Data Analysis Methodologies Workshop at UVAS, December 18-22, 2012 Workshop no. 10. UAF Workshop on Analysis of Variance, Dec 27-29,

11 Participants of UAF Workshop, December 27-29,

12 Short Course-10 on Biostat and Data Analysis Methodologies, UVAS, May 13-18, 2013 US Attaché visit to the course 12

13 Short Course-11 on Biostat and Data Analysis Methodologies College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences-Jhang, May 20-22,

14 Pakistani Visiting Scholars at JSU, 2013 Dr. T. N. Pasha with Dr. Radha-VP Research Jackson State University D Dr. T. N. Pasha with Dr. S. Jeelani, VP-Sponsored Programs Tuskegee University Drs. Rabbani, Aslam, Pasha, Hussain from UVAS at JSU 14

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