The University of Liberia (UL) College of Health Sciences (CHS) is collaborating with the Research Sustainability Initiative in Liberia (RETAIN) to strengthen Liberia's scientific research capacity. This partnership involves multiple stakeholders, including PREVAIL, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Ministry of Health, and other prominent Liberian organizations. Together, they are developing mentorship and research frameworks to advance Liberia’s public health and biomedical sciences sectors.
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RETAIN Partnership Goals
The RETAIN partnership aims to:
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Foster Liberian-led scientific research projects aligned with local expertise and interests.
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Address technical and scientific gaps within Liberia’s healthcare and research landscape.
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Create networking, training, and educational opportunities for Liberian scientists in collaboration with partner academic institutions.
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Utilize and analyze biological samples stored in Liberia's biorepositories, enabling in-country sample testing.
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Build sustainable, long-term research collaborations.
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Strengthen Liberia's scientific and research capacity to support its evolving public health needs.
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RETAIN Resource Mapping Initiatives
To support these goals, RETAIN has developed a comprehensive resource maps, including:
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Timbers Resource Map: Tracking Liberian students in graduate programs, with details on affiliations, universities, funding sources, and training specifics.
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Biorepositories & Stored Specimens Map: Cataloging Liberian biorepository samples (e.g., PREVAIL and Ebola outbreak repositories) to facilitate research using locally relevant specimens.
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Infrastructure & Technology Map: Summarizing laboratory and research capabilities across partner institutions in Liberia.
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Funding Opportunities Map: Documenting grants, scholarships, and other financial resources available for Liberian researchers.
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​These resources, maintained in platforms like Smartsheet, are available to RETAIN partners and can be accessed upon formal request.
RETAIN Partners
In Liberia
1. University of Liberia (UL)
2. Partnership for Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases (PREVAIL)
3. JFK Memorial Hospital
4. Ministry of Health of Liberia (MOH)
5. LIBASSA Wildlife Sanctuary
6. MOA / Central Veterinary Laboratory
7. Cuttington University
8. United Methodist University
9. Free Pentecostal University
10. World Health Organization
11. National Institute of Health
12. United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
13. EcoHealth Alliance
14. Peace Corps
15. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
External Partners affiliated and/or providing services in Liberia
1. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)
2. Fogarty International
3. FHI 360
4. United States Department of Agriculture(USDA)
5. Agroecology Coalition
6. Yale University
7. Vanderbilt University
8. Boston University
9. University of California San Francisco
10. University of North Carolina
11. University of Hawaii
12. University of Massachusetts
13. Stanford University
14. Columbia University
15. Tulane University
16. Michigan State University
17. Oregon State University