The Mind the Gap Fellowship Program
The Mind the Gap (MTG) Fellowship Program aims to strengthen individual capacity for entomological surveillance, with a focus on supporting early-career public health/medical entomologists. The fellowship offers its fellows academic growth through the pursuit of an advanced degree in vector biology/public health entomology, professional development opportunities and mentorship. The fellowship aligns with country-specific national malaria prevention strategies, with the broader goal of building resilient and sustainable vector surveillance systems.
Key elements
- Malaria vector surveillance projects: Fellows 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. To reinforce their professional development plan, the fellowship will also offer an MTG Fellowship Core Training Program, as well as provide opportunities for fellows to attend national and international conference and workshops.
- Mentorship scheme: Fellows also participate in a mentorship scheme focused on development of leadership skills and capacity. Fellows are paired with seasoned vector-borne disease researchers and public health professionals for 1:1 mentorship, group mentorship, and networking.
Objectives
Throughout the course of the program, fellows:
- Gain a comprehensive and advanced understanding of malaria vector ecology, biology, and surveillance and control methods;
- Design, implement, and analyze a rigorous research project that addresses country-specific critical gaps in vector surveillance and control;
- 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;
- Translate entomological research into actionable public health strategies;
- Communicate scientific findings effectively to decision-makers, policymakers, relevant public health professionals, and relevant community stakeholders towards influencing malaria surveillance and control strategies;
- Complete a tailored, well-rounded and comprehensive professional development curriculum;
- Gain the skills necessary for a range of careers in public health entomology; and
- 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.