Guyana Research in Injury and Trauma Training (GRITT)
The Guyana Research in Injury and Trauma Training (GRITT) Program, funded by the U.S. NIH Fogarty International Center, is a collaboration primarily between Columbia University, University of Guyana, Guyana Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The collaboration is designed to facilitate capacity-building by providing in-depth training in research design and methods, and stimulate interest in and foster expertise in suicide, trauma and injury prevention. Participants who are selected for the program will benefit from a flexible training approach, including mentorship for intensive, hands-on research projects, as well as virtual courses (100 hours over two summers) and seminars (eight a year).
Please note: the GRITT Program is open to those residing in Guyana.
GRITT Cohort IV Applications NOW OPEN!
About the training program:
Course Information and Expectations
Selected trainees will be able to participate in episummer@columbia (not for credit summer institute) coursework, starting in June, 2025. This will be 2-months of virtual courses and several in-person opportunities to build capacity in trauma, suicide, injury prevention, and research. The program will last for 15 months. The expected outcomes are:
- Year 1 completion of 3 online courses (~48 hours June-July 2025)
- Develop a trauma/injury-based independent research project proposal with guidance from your local and Columbia University mentor team;
- Virtually attend monthly Columbia University Injury Prevention seminars; and
- Attend an annual Columbia University Injury Prevention and/or Guyana Medical Research Conference and/or SAVIR and/or Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) conference.
- Year 2 completion of up to 2 online courses (~40 hours June-July 2026)
Starting in June 2025, you will have the opportunity to complete the courses listed below. These courses are core expectations; other courses are available based on previous coursework and/or experience. In year 2, you can select up to 40 hours of your preferred coursework.
Courses | Hours |
Principles of Epidemiology | 20 |
Introduction to Biostatistics | 20 |
Introduction to Injury Epidemiology | 8 |
Application Submission
GRITT Cohort Fellows
Congratulations to our GRITT fellows who presented at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) 68th Annual Health Research Conference in Saint Lucia, April 25th- 27th 2024.
GRITT Cohort 1 fellow Terrence Ross, presenting his topic “Basic Life Support” Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Healthcare Personnel at Selected Institutions in Region 4.”
GRITT Cohort 1 fellow Mariasheena Villareal, presenting her topic “Environmental Factors that Contribute to Falling Among the Elderly Population in Two Geriatric Homes in Guyana.”
From left to right: GRITT Cohort 1 fellows Ramona Doorgen, Genalin Ang, GRITT Coordinator Megan Ryan, and GRITT Cohort 1 fellow Mariasheena Villareal.
GRITT Cohort 1 fellow Terrence Ross and GRITT Coordinator Megan Ryan.
GRITT Cohort 1 Fellows Romona Doorgen and Terrence Ross enjoying the CARPHA Welcome event.
From right to left: GRITT Cohort 1 Fellows, Alexandra Harvey, Terrence Ross, Romona Doorgen at the CARPHA Welcome Event.
Faculty Leadership
GRITT is Directed by Dr. Christina Hoven, a Professor of Epidemiology and Psychiatry at Columbia University (CU) and the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI). She is joined by Co-Director Dr. Charles Branas, Epidemiology Department Chair at the Columbia University (CU) Mailman School of Public Health and Director of the Center for Disease Control (CDC)-funded Center for Injury Science and Prevention (CCISP).
In Guyana, GRITT sites include the University of Guyana (UG), with collaborative partners at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), including the Institute of Health Science Education (IHSE) and the Accident and Emergency Department. In Guyana, GRITT is Directed by Dr. Reeta Gobin (Director of the School of Medicine at UG) and Co-Director Ms. Leann Kendall (Lecturer in Psychology at UG). Ms. Leann Kendall is also the UG Co-Director of GRITT Training with her CU counterpart, Dr. Thelma Mielenz, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Columbia University (CU) Mailman School of Public Health. At GPHC, the GRITT Program is headed by Dr. Alexandra Harvey, Director of Medical Education, IHSE.
In addition to numerous Mentors, Co-Mentors and Resource Faculty at CU, UG and various other International Institutions, GRITT has an external Training Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. Linda Degutis, Yale University, and a Scientific Oversight Committee, Co-Chaired by Drs. Emanuel Cummings, UG, and Helen Herrman, University of Melbourne, Australia, which will provide oversight, evaluation, and direction for the GRITT Program.