Since 2017, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) have cultivated a robust and impactful collaboration focused on research, mentorship, and postgraduate training. This partnership, spearheaded by the dedication and commitment of Dr. Esther C. Atukunda the PI and senior lecturer at MUST’s Department of Pharmacy and Prof Lynn T Matthews has significantly contributed to student and staff mentorships at MUST.
Dr. Matthews is a visiting professor at MUST, an Infectious Diseases Associate and Professor of Epidemiology at Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She is the Associate Director for Global Health Research and Partnerships for UAB Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health. Dr. Mathews works with, mentors, and supports MUST and MRRH faculty and trainees to use research methods to improve the health of the people of Uganda and grow the research programs at MUST. She also supports U.S. trainees to conduct high-quality research in Uganda in close collaboration with local investigators. Dr. Mathews focuses on developing and testing interventions to reduce HIV in the context of sexual and reproductive health for men and women in Uganda.
These collaborative efforts have fostered a dynamic exchange program, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise between UAB and MUST faculty. This exchange has not only enriched academic experiences but also strengthened the research capacity at MUST, particularly the fields of infectious diseases, public health and maternal and child health. Furthermore, the UAB and MUST partnership, has led to MUST’s active participation in the Integrated Network of Scholars in Global Health Research Training (INSIGHT) program consortium. INSIGHT is one of the seven consortia in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) / Fogarty International Center Launching Future Leaders in Global Health (LAUNCH) Research Training Program which provides mentored global health research training opportunities for pre-and post-doctoral candidates from the U.S. and LMICs.
This year, this collaboration reached a new milestone as MUST’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, got to engage directly with some of the lead academic figures at UAB who included; Professors. Tina Kempin Reuter, Matthew Heimann, Alan Tita, Stephen Obaro, Renee Heffron, Rena Patel, Lynn Matthews, and Van T. Nghiem.
Brief about the Researchers
Tina Kempin Reuter
Dr. Reuter is a Professor of human rights, peace studies, and international politics in the Department of Political Science & Public Administration and the Department of Anthropology. She is also the Director of the Institute for Human Rights, and the Director of Social Science and Justice Research at UAB. Her research addresses human rights issues particularly among the vulnerable communities.
Links:
https://www.uab.edu/cas/pspa/people/faculty/tina-kempin-reuter
Matthew Heimann
Dr. Heimann is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Global Emmergency Medicine fellowship at UAB. He is also an Associate Director of the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health. His past global health work has been in countries such as Uganda, Peru, and Kenya among others.
Links:
https://www.uab.edu/medicine/em/faculty/heimann
https://scholars.uab.edu/5062-matthew-heimann
Alan Tita
Dr. Tita is UAB Mary Heersink Endowed Chair of Global Health, Director of the Mary Heersink Institute of Global Health and the Heersink School of Medicine Associate Dean for Global Health and Women’s Health. As an accomplished Professor of OB/Gyn and Senior Vice-Chair for Research and Innovation, he also leads the Center for Women’s Reproductive Health. Links:
https://www.uab.edu/medicine/obgyn/?view=article&id=141:tita
https://scholars.uab.edu/786-alan-tita
Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health:
https://www.uab.edu/medicine/globalhealth/
Stephen Obaro
Dr. Obaro is a Professor of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Helen and Robert Whitley Endowed Chair of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and an Associate Director, Mary Heersink Institute of Global Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL. USA.
Links:
https://scholars.uab.edu/18321-stephen-obaro
Renee Heffron
Dr. Heffron is an applied epidemiologist and HIV prevention researcher with experience that incorporates implementation science, clinical trials, behavioral science, and qualitative research. She is also the Director of the Center for AIDS Research at UAB. Her global health work has previously been in Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa.
Links:
https://scholars.uab.edu/17493-renee-heffron
https://www.uab.edu/medicine/news/latest-news/heffron-named-director-for-center-for-aids-research
Rena Patel
Dr. Patel is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. She is a physician-scientist who conducts mixed methods research, using both qualitative and quantitative tools in HIV, reproductive health, and health equity in the United States, Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana.
Links:
https://scholars.uab.edu/18418-rena-patel
Global Infectious Diseases Research: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/id/research/global-infectious-diseases-research
Lynn Matthews
Dr. Matthews is an infectious disease physician-scientist focused on HIV reduction interventions in the context of sexual and reproductive health for men and women in Uganda and South Africa. She also serves as Associate Director for the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health within the UAB School of Medicine.
Links:
https://scholars.uab.edu/6766-lynn-matthews
Van T. Nghiem
Dr. Nghiem is a Health Decision Scientist and an Assistant Professor of Public Health, in the Department of Health Policy & Organization at the UAB School of Public Health. Links:
https://scholars.uab.edu/16346-van-nghiem
These interactions served to reinforce the existing UAB-MUST partnership and also generated new insights for its continued growth and strengthening. Prof. Byakika-Kibwika’s engagement is a testament to MUST’s commitment to building upon the established legacy of collaboration.
Further demonstrating her dedication to advancing global health initiatives, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika traveled from Alabama to Atlanta, to attend the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) 2025 conference held from Feb 20 – 23, 2025, under theme, “Innovating and Implementing in Global Health for a Sustainable Future”. Recognizing the consortium’s focus on research, networking, and collaboration, she pledged to register MUST as a member. This strategic decision aims to provide MUST staff with enhanced opportunities for professional development and collaborative research within the global health arena, further solidifying MUST’s commitment to tackling pressing health challenges.
As a CUGH member, MUST will benefit in several ways for both students and staff. These including:
- Connecting to a network of over 40,000 individuals involved in global health and over 190 academic institutions and partner organizations worldwide
- Network with CUGH’s global network of faculty, students, implementers, and funders engaged in global health across sectors and disciplines
- Discounted rates for CUGH’s conferences and workshops
- Participate in CUGH’s committees, subcommittees, and working groups
- Propose webinar topics and speakers (subject to approval by CUGH’s Executive Director)
- Students are eligible to serve on CUGH’s Trainee Advisory Committee
- Participate in advocacy efforts on global health issues and for academic‐based global health programs
- Host a regional conference with CUGH
- Access CUGH’s online job, fellowship, and funding opportunities
- Post job and funding opportunities on CUGH’s online platforms for free
- Highlight your institution in our monthly bulletin (received by over 40,000 global health practitioners worldwide) to promote your programs and new initiatives
- Institutional voting rights in CUGH’s Board elections and initiatives. https://www.cugh.org/join-cugh/member-benefits/
Other MUST faculty that participated included:
- Dr. Ssendyabane Frank department of Medical Laboratory Science
- Dr. Francis Bajunirwe Department of community Health
- Ms. Josephine Najjuma from the Simulation Centre
- Dr. Godfrey R Mugyenyi Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Dr. Jonathan Kajjimu one of the beneficiaries of the collaboration
The proactive leadership of Prof. Byakika-Kibwika, coupled with the established foundation laid by Dr. Atukunda and the ongoing support from UAB faculty, underscores the commitment of both institutions to this vital partnership. This collaboration directly aligns with MUST’s mission: “To provide equitable quality and relevant education and Research with particular emphasis on Science and Technology and its application to community development.” The enduring partnership between UAB and MUST serves as a model for successful international collaboration in global health. With ongoing dedication and strategic initiatives, like MUST’s commitment to joining CUGH, this collaboration is poised to continue to drive impactful research, enhance equitable educational opportunities, and ultimately contribute to improved health outcomes in Uganda and beyond, directly fulfilling the university’s core purpose of applying science and technology to community development.
