Page 119 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Pan African Centre for
Epidemics Research Unit

Unit director:
Prof. Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya

Prioritising responsive research Equitable capacity development
through impactful interventions for empowering communities

Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research Unit PACER has a strong capacity-building component
(PACER) has unique scientific premise. The reliance to support equitable scholarship. The unit provides
on a general population-oriented approach to much-needed research capacity development
guide programmes has limited the impact of through developing epidemiological and public
epidemic responses in settings like South Africa. health capacities in handling epidemics and
PACER endeavours to understand the degree to pandemics among emerging researchers and
which a tailored epidemic response, sensitive to postgraduate students. A range of capacity-
heterogeneity, can effectively and efficiently impact building activities were explored in 2023 for skills
policy and practice. PACER uses innovative methods transfer including postgraduate training and
and approaches to answer research questions that supervision, publication co-authorships, joint
may not be answered through conventional methods scientific presentations, provision of mentorships,
only- e.g. big data, machine learning, Integrated supporting career progression and fellowships,
analysis, small area estimations, and transmission e.g. PACER hosted two John Hopkins University
modelling, while also applying statistical and students for 4 months (2023) as interns; PACER
epidemiologic methods attuned to data structure,
e.g. cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. In this
regard, PACER is pursuing innovative and ambitious
projects that leverage novel methods to analyse large
and underutilised datasets to answer new questions
towards a more empiric and ultimately more
effective HIV pandemic response. The projects are
underpinned by scientific excellence, public health
significance, multi-disciplinarity, innovativeness,
local relevance, global competitiveness, and impact
and include:

(1) Harnessing big data to evaluate the potential
impact of HIV responses among key populations in
generalised epidemic settings in SSA. (2) Leveraging
Big Data Science to Focus the HIV Response in
Countries with Generalised HIV Epidemics. (3) Research Mentorship: PACER hosted
Epidemiologic analyses of the impacts of COVID-19 one Senior Lecturer from the University
on HIV prevention, diagnostic and therapeutic of Fort Hare.
services among key populations.

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24 117