Page 3 - Kipaji Newsletter - Edition 1

IMAGE OF THE MONTH

World-renowned researchers and Directors of Quarraisha, an accomplished biostatistician
the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research and researcher, has been instrumental
in South Africa (CAPRISA), Professors in advancing the understanding of HIV
Quarrisha Abdool Karim and Salim Abdool prevention methods, particularly through
Karim received the prestigious Lasker Award microbicides. Together, they have made
for public service, a top recognition for medical significant contributions to the fight against
research described as the US equivalent of a HIV, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, they
Nobel prize for science. CAPRISA is a leading provided crucial insights into public health
member of the BRILLIANT Consortium, with responses and vaccine development, and were
the eThekwini CAPRISA Clinical Research Site instrumental in how we collectively responded
designated as a site for BRILLIANT 001. to the pandemic. Their tireless efforts have
This scientific power couple are prominent garnered international recognition, culminating
in this prestigious award to celebrate their
South African scientists renowned for their dedication to improving global health. Stay
groundbreaking research in HIV/AIDS and tuned for our third edition were we profile
microbicides. Salim, an epidemiologist and Professor Nigel Garrett, Head of the CAPRISA
infectious diseases specialist, has played a
Professors Quarraisha and Salim Abdool Karim at pivotal role in shaping public health policies in HIV Pathogenesis and Vaccine Research
the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in Programme has been appointed Leader of the
South Africa (CAPRISA) in Durban. (Photo by Phill South Africa and globally. CAPRISA eThekwini Research Site (ECRS).
Magakoe / AFP)

MEET THE CEA CO-LEADS:

MARTHA, STEPHEN & TIAN!

The Community Engagement & Advocacy Workstream of the Consortium is led by
Martha Tholanah, Stephen Mugamba and Tian Johnson.
THE BIG PICTURE

The BRILLIANT Consortium consists of three workstreams MEL (Monitoring & Evaluation)
that report to an Executive Committee, which in turn reports
to the highest decision-making body, the Scientific Advisory The MEL system is designed to support transparency and
Group (SAG). accountability across the Consortium. It guides how all consortium
members will support regular progress reporting and ensures
compliance with USAID’s policies and federal regulations. A key
Community Engagement & Advocacy (CEA) differentiator of BRILLIANT’s MEL work was the hosting of the
The Consortium’s efforts begin with Community Engagement & Consortium’s MEL Lead within the Community Workstream.
Acknowledgement goes to Elizabeth Chigwidi, who oversaw the
Advocacy. The objective of the workstream is to partner with civil inception and year one MEL activities. This role provided high level
society advocates, HIV-affected communities including those monitoring, evaluation and learning support for the BRILLIANT
at-risk and PLWH, policymakers, and communicators to advance Consortium, which included managing the MEL Plan and Indicator
African-led HIV vaccine science. table for the project as well as supporting all reporting activities for
Clinical the Consortium.
The objective of this workstream is to design and implement
innovative, early-stage clinical trials using an HIV vaccine discovery
approach to assess safety & immunogenicity while accelerating the
development of an effective broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb)
inducing HIV vaccine regimen.
Lab & Vaccine Design

The objective of this workstream is to assess immune responses to
HIV immunogens in clinical trials and develop novel immunogens for
preclinical testing.
There are two cross-cutting components, Capacity
Augmentation and MEL (Monitoring & Evaluation).
Capacity Augmentation
This cross-cutting component utilizes and strengthens the
capabilities and resources of BRILLIANT collaborating institutions to
successfully conduct project activities as outlined in the BRILLIANT
HIV vaccine proposal to address BRILLIANT goals. Capacity
Augmentation is embedded in each of the other 3 workstreams
ensuring that each program fully utilizes and strengthens systems
of collaborations for HIV vaccine research in Sub-Saharan Africa.