The TRENNDZ Research Program focuses on generating high-quality evidence to improve neurological care in Zambia and similar settings. Our studies span observational cohorts, registry development, implementation research, and clinical trials, with a strong emphasis on questions that emerge directly from local clinical practice.
We work across pediatric and adult neurology, integrating hospital-based and community-based research.
Research Priorities
- Cerebrovascular disease and stroke: Understanding risk factors, presentation patterns, and outcomes, and evaluating interventions that are feasible in resource-constrained settings.
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders: Improving diagnosis, treatment access, and long-term follow-up for adults and children with epilepsy.
- Neuroinfectious and inflammatory diseases: Studying central nervous system infections and immune-mediated neurological conditions that remain highly prevalent and often under-diagnosed.
- Pediatric neurology: Addressing developmental, infectious, and acquired neurological disorders in children, with a focus on early identification and intervention.
- Health systems and implementation research: Examining how neurological care is delivered, identifying barriers and facilitators, and testing practical strategies to improve care pathways.
Research Infrastructure
TRENNDZ invests in building systems that support sustainable research:
- Neurology Research Office (NRO): Central coordination for neurology studies, including ethics submissions, regulatory compliance, and data management.
- Data systems: Standardized data collection tools, electronic databases, and quality assurance processes.
- Training & mentorship: Embedded research training for residents, fellows, nurses, and allied health professionals through hands-on involvement in projects.
Current & Recent Projects
Our portfolio includes ongoing and completed studies in stroke, epilepsy, pediatric neurology, neuroinfectious diseases, and health systems research. For details on specific projects and resulting manuscripts, please visit our Publications page or contact the Neurology Research Office (NRO).
Collaborations
Our research is strengthened by partnerships with departments across the University of Zambia and University Teaching Hospitals, the University of Rochester and other international academic collaborators, and national and international funding agencies and research networks. These collaborations help ensure our work is methodologically robust, ethically sound, and responsive to clinical and public health needs.
