Fellowship Site Directors:
Reynaldo Martorell, PhD, MPH, Emory University
Aryeh Stein, MPH, PhD, Emory University
Manuel Ramirez, MD PhD, INCAP Guatemala
Site Contact: Mark Hutcheson
Site Specialties: Nutrition, MCH, NCDs
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Training
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Founded in 1949, INCAP’s overall mission is to support efforts of its Member States to achieve and maintain Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) of their populations. INCAP has established an internationally recognized track-record in research, capacity building, and advocacy in several nutrition and health areas, and, in the past 20 years, particularly in epidemiology and prevention of nutrition-related NCDs. INCAP’s academic unit, the Center for Advanced Studies in Nutrition and Food Science, has provided graduate training to more than 700 individuals since 1966. INCAP has a number of funded, multi-year projects, including a study to evaluate the impacts of improved early-life nutrition on cardiometabolic disease risk.
INCAP’s organizational structure has established four technical areas to prioritize and support institutional strategic aims which influence the achievement of the Central American population Food and Nutrition Security (FNS). Each has capabilities and functions, which by interprogrammatic and interdisciplinary integration and horizontal reinforcing teamwork
- Technical unit of diseases and nutrition
- Technical unit of nutrition and micronutrients
- Technical unit of human resources development
- Technical cooperation to countries
Other focus areas of INCAP include:
Nutrition and micronutrients 1. Strengthening of national programs to reduce chronic malnutrition, prioritizing in the window of opportunity of the thousand days. 2. Prevention and control of public health problems associated with micronutrients. 3. Food and nutrition security initiatives at regional, national and local level.
Chronic diseases related to nutrition 1. Research on diet, cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular health at the peripheral level. 2. Training and continuing education to health professionals and research scientists. 3. Strengthening of institutions: Network of research institutions on Chronic Diseases RIIEC; Technical Commission of Chronic Diseases and Cancer CTCC.
Training and development of Human Resources in FNS 1. Academic training at different levels (master, specialty and technical). 2. Training to groups, generating innovative strategies with traditional, virtual and on the field modalities. 3. Programs of tutorial training, residency, internship and associate researchers. 4. Training and distance learning through the Education Portal of INCAP in e-learning, blended learning and directed self education. 5. Production of technical and educational material.
Surveillance, monitoring and evaluation 1. Methodologies for the evaluation, monitoring and surveillance of policies and programs aimed at reducing malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. 2. Strengthen methods and techniques for food and nutrition surveillance. 3. Support the design, implementation and analysis of studies and surveys related to food and nutrition. 4. Monitoring of food fortification programs. 5. Information systems for the monitoring of food and nutrition.
Flags from all member countries of INCAP
- INCAP provides training in different academic levels (master and technical expertise)
- Training for groups, generating innovative strategies using different face modalities, virtual and in field.
- Tutorial training programs, residency, internship and research associates.
- Virtual and distance training through the learning training system (LTS) website of INCAP with the modalities in e-learning, blended-learning and self directed.
- Production of the technical and educational material.
Facilities and Resources:
INCAP has a variety of support centers that encapsulate their facilities and resources on site and throughout the different partner facilities throughout Central America and Panama.
Center for learning and exchange of knowledge (CAIS) CAIS is a training center on appropriate technologies for the promotion of food and nutrition security.
Comprehensive Analytical Center (CAI) Strengthens the capacities of national laboratories by means of technical cooperation; supports the work plan of each country through training, networking, inter-laboratory testing, and local visits in nutritional biochemistry, microbiology and food composition.
Laboratory of Physiology and Body Composition (LAFICC) The specialized integral service of LAFICC focuses on user satisfaction and includes this lines of work: development and evaluation of programs with an emphasis on prevention and control of nutrition-related chronic diseases; strengthening of analytical capabilities in the region; analysis of body composition, fitness and physical activity, energy expenditure and intake, clinical chemistry and cardiovascular health; psychological tests of child development and mental health.
Comprehensive Center for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases (CIIPEC) It is responsible for research development, training of human resources and technical assistance for the comprehensive strengthening of the health and academic sector interested in the prevention and control of con communicable chronic diseases and risk factors in the four lines of work.
Documentation Center and Virtual Library on Health and Food and Nutrition Security ¨Dr. Nevin Scrimshaw¨
The library of INCAP has as a mail purpose to support the processes of research, teaching and decision making on the subject of health, food and nutrition security in the region. It is also a repository and preserver of the largest number of documents and research on food and nutrition in the Central American region.
Education Portal of INCAP
This is the virtual space that hosts media and resources for the development and implementation of teaching units, courses, diplomas and academic programs in modalities of e-learning, virtual classroom and self training packages.
R01HD075784 (Stein, PI)
A study to evaluate the impacts of improved early-life nutrition on cardiometabolic disease risk.
D43TW009315 (Villamor, PI)
A training grant for professions and junior investigators to develop interdisciplinary life course training programs to prevent NCDs.
Intl Dev Res Ctr, 2012-17 (Ramirez-Zea, PI)
A research and policy grant to strengthen capacity in Central America by training pre- and postdoctoral fellows in NCD prevention and control.