Page 4 - Kipaji Newsletter - Edition 1

A BRILLIANT

READ

IF YOU READ ONE THING THIS
MONTH LET IT BE THIS!
THE PROTOCOL A key part of our work in BRILLIANT is

the support we offer to young scientists.
Two of the young scientists from the Joint
Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) Clinical
All clinical trials are guided by a master To keep activists, researchers and other Research Site in Uganda, Andrew Ekiee
plan, which consists of rules, guidelines, stakeholders accountable, everyone Obuku and Annritah Namuganga, were
and a statement of intent. This document must be able to understand the protocol sent on a tech transfer program to the
serves as a crucial source of information of a trial. Ideally, as many stakeholders Amsterdam University Medical Center. The
about the key questions of the trials: as possible should be involved from the purpose of the 3-month program was to
What? Who? Why? Where? and How? protocol design stage. This ensures that learn how to develop immunogens. As we
do this critical work to build the field we will
We have called our first trial under communities not only have a seat at the continue amplifying the amazing groups,
table, but are able to see their voices,
the BRILLIANT Consortium, 001. This concerns and questions addressed in the who like BRILLIANT, know that our future
means that the trial will be now known final protocol. A transparent protocol = is dependent on making sure everyone,
as BRILLIANT-001 which shows you the A transparent trial! especially Black African women, have the
name of the trial and its number. space, support, resources and solidarity
they need to make our future BRILLIANT.
So this is what we are doing - A Community Guide to the BRILLIANT 001 Protocol is being Stay tuned for more in the upcoming
developed by the Community Engagement Workstream. This resource is designed to Editions of Kipaji!
assist groups or individuals to understand a science heavy protocol. This guide will
break down what the Protocol is all about and is targeted at Community Activists. It will We also celebrate others who are doing
include a clear explanation of the protocol’s purpose. the same!
Check out Francine’s story below in this
edition’s BRILLIANT READ!!

FRANCINE NTOUMI

IMPROVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
FEMALE SCIENTISTS IN CENTRAL
AFRICA
In the heart of the Republic of Congo’s
capital Brazzaville, lies the Congolese
Foundation for Medical Research.This
laboratory was founded by Professor
Francine Ntoumi, a woman who has
dedicated her life to strengthening health
research capacities in Africa.
Born in Brazzaville, she studied and worked
in France and has conducted research
in Gabon, the Netherlands, Germany,
Tanzania and her home country, Congo.
She has served a range of institutions as
Coordinator of the Multilateral Initiative on
Malaria, the first African leader and in other
various capacities.
Francine Ntoumi (second from left) in her lab with a
group of her students. Credit: Francine Ntoumi

• Meet Jothie: the BRILLIANT Community Engagement and Advocacy
Coordinator - a reflection by Anna Matendawafa
• Spend a day with me, Perrykent Nkole at a clinical trial site - Focus on
CIRDZ Lusaka Matero Site in Zambia
• We profile our first BRILLIANT Site - meet the Community Activist &
Scientist of J52 DTHF Groote Schuur Site!
• Check out our Protocol Explainer: Welcome to BRILLIANT 001
• Meet our newest implementing partner!
• The People of BRILLIANT - The Podcast series

This newsletter is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility
of the BRILLIANT Consortium and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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