ChagasChat
Conversations about NTDs from the Chagas Disease Community
Interview with Mario Grijalva, from the Ohio University & CISeAL
Dr. Mario J. Grijalva is Director of the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute and Professor of Microbiology at the Ohio University. He is former Director of the CISeAL, a research center in Quito, created in 2000 with the collaboration of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE).
He is an internationally recognized expert on the spread of Chagas disease and other infectious diseases, which affects millions of people in South and Central America and has recently spread to the United States and Europe.
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Interview with Anna Veiga, General Manager of Probitas
Anna Veiga is Doctor in Biology. The Probitas Foundation has been contributing since 2008 to health access for vulnerable people through its International Program. Probitas develops projects against Chagas disease with the aim of improving comprehensive care for affected communities (prevention, diagnosis, and treatment) as well as training health professionals and improving the infrastructure of health centers to enhance their capacities.
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ChagasChat – Special 8M, International Women’s Day
This March 8th, on International Women’s Day, the Chagas Coalition reaffirms the importance of highlighting and advocating for the fundamental role of women in science and health care.
It is crucial to recognize the impact of women scientists in the fight against neglected tropical diseases like Chagas, where their dedication and leadership have been key to the development of research and treatments.
This March 8th, we raise our voices to reivindicate gender equality across all fields of science. Inclusion and equal opportunities are vital for building a fairer and more sustainable future.
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Interview with Marina Gold, Executive Director of Mundo Sano
Marina Gold is currently CEO and Executive Director of the Mundo Sano Foundation.
She was trained in political and medical anthropology, and started her career in the academic world, teaching in university institutions and developing and leading research projects. Her work has gradually focused on health issues until she became responsible for the foundation in 2022.
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Interview with María Jesús Pinazo, Head of Chagas Disease Program in DNDi
Dr. María Jesús Pinazo has been leading DNDi’s work on Chagas disease since January 2022. Graduated in Medicine and Surgery, senior specialist in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. PhD in Internal Medicine at the University of Barcelona. Main line of research in International Health is on Chagas Disease, from basic to Public Health research.
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Interview with Laura Bohorquez, from the FIND’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Program
Laura C. Bohorquez is a Scientific Officer, Lead for Chagas Disease at the NTD Programme of FIND. Bohorquez’s goal is to contribute to the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in Latin America. She helps develop and implement strategic plans with both global and local strategic partners, aimed at impulsing innovative and accessible diagnostics.
Read the report about new methods of diagnsis for Chagas Disease, by FIND and DNDi:
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Interview with Cintia Cruz, clinical researcher at the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Dr. Cintia Valeria Cruz is a researcher at the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU). In this interview, she briefly explains the paper that the unit has just published, on August 29, in the British Pharmacological Society journal: “Adverse events associated with benznidazole treatment for Chagas disease in children and adults”.
This multidisciplinary team was founded by Dr. Hector Freilij, and it has been led by Dr. Jaime Altcheh for the last 18 years. The unit is made up of experts with extensive experience such us biologists, biochemists, bioinformaticians and physicians. Their study compiles the conclusions of more than 20 years of comprehensive care for patients with Chagas disease at the Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, in Buenos Aires (Argentina).
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Interview with Ángel Rey, Coordinator of the Chagas Group of IBERMED
We interviewed Angel Rey, Coordinator of the Chagas Disease Group in Ibermed, an association of group of professional volunteers based in Huelva (Spain), and also partners of the Chagas Coalition.Ibermed is active through several projects in Guatemala, they contribute to the control of T.Cruzi infection, also known as Chagas disease in the poorest regions of this Latin American country, from a comprehensive approach and personalized attention, to the contribution of human and material resources, plus the collaboration with local administrations, in order to improve access to diagnosis, treatment and the follow-up of the affected people.SHARE
Interview with Dr. Norman L. Beatty. University of Florida
Norman L. Beatty, an expert in Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He has been studying Chagas disease and the triatomines responsible for transmitting the parasite that causes it since 2015.He has been involved in a study about oral transmission of Chagas disease in Colombia. The study is a collaborative effort between researchers and professors from different universities in Colombia and the United States. It delves into the relevance and diversity of oral transmission routes of Trypanosoma Cruzi.SHARE
Interview with Andrés Cuervo, from the Vector-borne Diseases Program in Arauca (Colombia)
Andrés Cuervo is a Biologist with a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, specializing in Microbiology and Parasitology, by the Universidad de los Andes. He works with the Vector-Borne Diseases Program of the department of Arauca, in Colombia.
In this interview we get to know more about the situation with Chagas disease in this area of the country. Orinoquía is one of the most affected regions by the Trypanosoma Cruzi, a triatomine that causes Chagas. It is estimated that this neglected tropical disease affects nearly half a million people in the country.
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ChagasChat – Marcelo Abril, Executive Director of Mundo Sano Foundation
On the occasion of the upcoming celebration of the XXI International Symposium in Buenos Aires, on November 14 and 15, 2023, we chat with Marcelo Abril, Executive Director of the Mundo Sano Foundation.
The XXI International Symposium brings together scientists, professionals, technicians and other stakeholders to participate in this academic meeting, to discuss strategies to face Neglected Tropical Diseases. We also had the chance to know a bit more about the main projects that the foundation is currently working on, related to Chagas disease and other NTDs, as well as an assessment of the impact of these initiatives on the affected people.
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