Established in 2006, The Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) champions innovation in global health, focusing on equity for vulnerable populations worldwide. DGHI tackles issues like mental health, infectious diseases, and mechanisms to strengthen the healthcare system through its undergraduate, graduate, and clinical programs.
This year, six medical students of the University of Ibadan − Adeniyi Abraham Adesola, Joshua Simpa Lawal, David Mobolaji Akoki, Abigail Olawunmi Oyedokun, Oluwatomisin Esther Agboola, Anuoluwapo Agnes Babawale − won the prestigious Duke Grant Award. This article reviews the thoughts and journey of some of the team members on their achievements.
Overview of the Duke Grant Award
The Duke Grant Award, a prestigious initiative by the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI), has funded 247 projects since it started in 2006. This year, six medical students from the University of Ibadan became the latest recipients with their groundbreaking research on sickle cell disease. Their project, “Personal Sickle Cell Phenotype: A Cross-Sectional Study on Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitude Among Parents of Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria,” explores how parental awareness, belief, and attitude impact the disorder’s management.
“It’s validating,” shared Mr. Joshua Lawal. He emphasized the competitive nature of the grant and the relevance of their work, further stating, “This grant streamlined our ideas and demonstrated that our work holds importance for the population.”
The Team Leader, Mr. Adeniyi Adesola, highlighted the societal impact of their project. “Our findings are eye-opening and could push discussions towards better solutions.” He said. Ms. Abigail Oyedokun corroborated a statement stressing, “Research is not just about paperwork but about driving policy change.”
The Duke-UIMSA partnership was established in 2022 during President Dr. Nwagbara Jaachimma’s tenure. The scheme covered three areas: mental health, public health, and clinical programs. The scheme was to select a team within each track and fully support the team. It was to serve as a mentorship scheme, but it has gone beyond expected, fostering this great success.
Mr. Lawal described it as “a mentorship scheme that empowers young researchers with both guidance and resources.” Their study revealed alarming statistics of nearly 150,000 Nigerian newborns affected by sickle cell disease annually, with almost half that population dying before the age of five. Their findings aim to inform the public and future the policies that could be implemented to improve public healthcare outcomes. As Ms.Oyedokun aptly concluded, “The data we’ve gathered paves the way for impactful solutions.”
Motivation and Vision: The Drive Behind Sickle Cell Awareness
A wise man once said, “A tree does not make a forest, but by putting together the right trees, it can build a thriving ecosystem.” This sentiment embodies the team’s approach to their Duke Grant-winning project on sickle cell awareness in Ibadan, Nigeria. The project, rooted in their involvement with the De-Genowise Project, began during Mr. Adesola’s pediatric posting. Inspired by their experience with sickle cell patients, the team shared a commitment to addressing this pressing issue that brought them together.
Mr Lawal’s passion for public health grew from an early realization that policy-driven public health interventions, such as the iodized salt intervention to prevent goiter in the United States of America (USA), had a lasting impact. “Sickle cell has been a problem in Nigeria for so long,” he stated, emphasizing the need for systemic change. They aim to push for policy advocacy to bring tangible and lasting solutions.
The team members stress the importance of unity and mutual respect. “When you have the right people, you can build a good relationship and trust,” says Mr. Lawal. Ms. Oyedokun adds, “The impact of this project motivates us to keep pushing forward, even when we’re tired, and the grant has been instrumental in making that possible.”
The team’s collective effort and dedication highlight their shared vision for the project, focusing on research, policy advocacy, and potentially scaling the initiative across Nigeria.
The Winning Project: Raising Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease
This award-winning project focused on raising awareness about sickle cell diseases, explicitly targeting parents’ and spouses’ knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding genotypes.
Ms. Oyedokun explained that a key objective was to address the lack of genotype awareness among couples, which poses a significant risk factor for the disease. She emphasized the project’s unique mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, allowing for more in-depth insights. The team engaged stakeholders, including consultants – in hematology, parents, patients, and willing participants, gathering real-world experiences beyond textbook knowledge.
Mr. Lawal expanded on the second part of their research, exploring parents’ beliefs about the disease. He noted the lack of Nigerian research into why couples still marry despite knowing their genotypes, highlighting the importance of understanding these personal, cultural, or religious decisions. The team’s focus on this gap in research sets their approach apart from previous studies they might have encountered.
When asked about their challenges during the project, Mr. Lawal explained, “The essence of success lies in overcoming challenges. We weren’t motivated by the money but by the mission itself.” Mr. Adesola agreed further, saying, “ We had support from our supervisor, Prof. Brown, and the faculty members within DGHI. This made the whole process seamless.”
When asked about the turning point and the climax of their project, Ms. Oyedokun shared that the turning point came when the research results validated their hypothesis and work: “Seeing the discoveries we’ve made and hearing from participants gave us the confirmation we needed.”
Impact and Results: Advancing Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease
The team’s research revealed significant findings, particularly the accuracy of laboratory results for sickle cell tests. After conducting Key Informant (KI) sessions with the mothers of affected children, caregivers, and advocates, the team confirmed their hypothesis that many people received incorrect or false diagnoses due to laboratory inconsistencies.
Mr. Adesola emphasized the immediate impact they had received from their project, which was the validation of their study’s hypothesis and its strong potential to inspire change. They aim to collaborate with the Duke to create a policy brief, advocate for laboratory standards improvements within Nigeria, and call for religious awareness and public education on sickle cell disease.
Reflecting on their access, Mr. Lawal shared, “ You matter in the matter that matters to you.” Mr. Adesola emphasized, “ Research is foundational to science—it drives progress. Gene therapy, for instance, emerged through research. “ He discussed the barriers to accessible treatments like hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy in Nigeria, highlighting the need for localized clinical trials.
Ms. Oyedokun added, “Public health focuses on prevention. Policies from our research could spark innovation, awareness, and solutions.” Their dedication to impactful research aims to change Nigeria’s healthcare system in the long term.
Future Plans and Aspirations
When asked about utilizing the Duke Grant funding, Ms. Oyedokun shared that the team has already completed their second research and is now focused on having their manuscript reviewed for publication. “The grant will help further our work, allowing it to reach people and make a real impact,” she said. Mr. Adesola further emphasized their goal of securing more opportunities and grants for future projects.
Looking ahead, Mr. Adesola shared his dilemma about his specialization, whether to move to public health and focus on sickle cell disease or continue with his clinical practices and find a way to integrate his passion into his profession. However, despite differing individual interests, the team is united in their commitment to the De-Genowise project, which they hope to expand to more schools. “Regardless of our specialties, sickle cell can be integrated into any field, from neurology to hematology,” he concluded.
To conclude, the team shared insights that resonated deeply with the values of the Duke Grant Award. Ms.Oyedokun emphasized that their work aligns with the mission by addressing sickle cell disease in underserved communities like Nigeria. “Research should not just be about grants,” she said, stressing the importance of intrinsic motivation and commitment. She further encouraged others to pursue potential research questions with like-minded individuals. Mr. Lawal added, “We need support and insight from the public. Follow us on social media, engage, and share your perspectives.” He highlighted how collaboration can help extend their impact beyond academia.
Their work, driven by passion and a commitment to change, exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can address global health challenges. The Duke Grant Award serves as a beacon for young researchers ready to create change, making the future brighter for needy communities.
Ndidiamaka Okafor