Data Science Center for Trauma and Injury in Africa
Official title: The Data Science Center for the Study of Surgery and Injury in Africa (D-SINE-Africa)
Funded at University of Buea · NIH-11514807 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-institution collaboration in Cameroon studies how to improve trauma care in low-resource settings to benefit patients in the US and Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Buea NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buea, Cameroon) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $369,137 |
| NIH project number | 3U54TW012087-05S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11514807 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals experiencing traumatic injuries in settings with limited resources, such as rural areas or disaster zones, including active-duty military and civilians.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in settings with ample, immediate access to high-quality trauma care may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project creates a data science hub in Africa to study trauma and surgical care where resources are limited, using real-world data from diverse settings. It brings together universities in Cameroon and the US to build methods, share data, and generate practical insights for improving trauma outcomes. The work focuses on understanding how to deliver timely, high-quality care in austere environments and how lessons learned there can translate to patients in the United States and military settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to better trauma protocols and decision-making tools that save lives in low-resource settings and improve emergency care for patients in both Africa and the U.S.
How similar studies have gone: Previous collaborations in similar data-driven trauma research have shown that context-specific data improves care pathways and outcomes, though this exact model is innovative and expanding.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Buea
Buea, Cameroon Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chichom, Alain Mefire — University of Buea
- Study coordinator: Chichom, Alain Mefire
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.