The Mind the Gap Fellowship Program

Background

The MEI’s mission is to advance progress toward malaria elimination and eradication through innovative, evidence-based solutions and high-impact partnerships to improve health, health equity, and health systems around the globe. As a forward-thinking organization, the MEI generates evidence through research, develops new tools and approaches, documents and disseminates elimination experiences, builds consensus, promotes a health systems approach to sustainability, and strengthens political and financial commitment to shrink the malaria map.

Based at UCSF, one of the world’s leading health and medical research institutions, the MEI has approximately 30 faculty and staff with expertise in epidemiology, entomology, malariology, public health practice, advocacy, operational research, and program management, implementation, and evaluation. The MEI has activities in 27 malaria-endemic countries across the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Mind the Gap

As of May 2024, the UCSF MEI is the recipient of a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) four-year investment grant titled “Mind the Gap (MTG)”. Under this grant, the MEI and its partners will work collectively to realign efforts toward global malaria reduction and elimination by enhancing vector control and surveillance (primary outcome). This will be achieved through four intermediate outcomes (IOs):

  • Strengthening of individual and institutional capacity for vector surveillance (IO1);
  • Generating evidence to enable informed decisions on fit-for-purpose, adaptive entomological surveillance and control (IO2);
  • Synthesizing evidence and expertise to help countries adopt innovative strategies for vector control (IO3 and IO4).

Governance and equity

MTG emphasizes equitable partnerships based on mutual participation, trust, and respect. A shared governance structure will be established, in which all partners will play a part in leading activities and defining strategic priorities. This Management Board will be chaired by the MEI with representatives from the partner national malaria programs (NMPs) and public health research institutes (PHRIs). At least 50% of the board members will be women. This board will collectively handle strategy, oversight, policy development, and major financial decisions, with terms of reference ratified within the first three months. Gender equity and intentionality will be integral to the board's operations and the overall investment strategy. Bi-annual consortium-wide meetings will be held to strengthen partnerships, enable learning, disseminate outputs, review progress, engage in strategic planning, and support reflective learning.

Fellowship overview

The Mind the Gap (MTG) Fellowship aims to strengthen individual and institutional capacity for entomological surveillance, with a focus on supporting early-career public health/medical entomologists, particularly female entomologists. This fellowship offers its fellows advanced academic growth through the pursuing of an advanced degree in vector biology/public health entomology at a home university, professional development opportunities and mentorship. Key elements of the fellowship include:

  • Malaria vector surveillance projects: Fellows will design, implement, and analyze vector surveillance projects under the guidance of an advisory team.
  • Professional development: Fellows undergo knowledge and skill needs assessments and create tailored professional development plans, addressing both general and gender-specific challenges in their fields. To reinforce their professional development plan, the fellowship will also an MTG Fellowship Core Training Program, as well as national and international conference and workshop attendance.
  • Gender-specific mentorship scheme: Female fellows will receive personalized mentorship to help overcome barriers to career advancement.
  • Gender equity: A strong emphasis is placed on integrating gender-intentional approaches and methods into vector control and surveillance strategies.

The fellowship aligns with country-specific national malaria prevention strategies, with the broader goal of building resilient and sustainable vector surveillance systems.

Fellowship learning objectives

  1. Gain a comprehensive and advanced understanding of malaria vector ecology, biology, and surveillance and control methods;
  2. Design, implement, and analyze a rigorous research project that addresses country-specific critical gaps in vector surveillance and control;
  3. Develop fit-for-purpose, question-based, entomological surveillance systems, through identifying and addressing evidence gaps to inform decision-making and tailor vector control approaches within a programmatic context;
  4. Translate entomological research into actionable public health strategies;
  5. Communicate scientific findings effectively to decision-makers, policymakers, relevant public health professionals, and relevant community stakeholders towards influencing malaria surveillance and control strategies
  6. Integrate gender-intentional elements within the design and planning of an entomological surveillance project;
  7. Advocate for the integration of gender-intentional methods within vector surveillance and control;
  8. Complete a tailored, well-rounded and comprehensive professional development curriculum;
  9. Gain the skills necessary for a range of careers in public health entomology.
  10. Develop competencies for leadership roles in public health agencies such as national malaria programs, international organizations, and the private sector, addressing vector-borne disease control.