LMIC Brain Bank Mentorship Program
The Biobank for Aging Studies (BAS) is pleased to announce the launch of the LMIC Brain Bank Mentorship Program, a unique initiative to support researchers from low- and middle-income countries in establishing brain banks in their home countries.
This program will be hosted by the BAS, the largest brain bank in Latin America, with over 4,000 brains collected over the past 20 years. The BAS has been at the forefront of brain banking and neuropathological research, and we are excited to share our expertise with the next generation of researchers in this field.
The program will kick off with a 5-day in-person training in São Paulo, Brazil, from April 7-11, 2025. During this time, our team will provide hands-on guidance and share our experience in brain banking, covering essential aspects of setting up and managing a brain bank, including donor recruitment, brain preservation, and neuropathology evaluation. For those who need financial assistance to attend the in-person training, travel fellowships will be available.
Following the in-person training, participants will receive ongoing support through monthly video calls, where BAS personnel will offer mentorship and practical assistance to help participants successfully implement brain banking in their respective countries.
We believe this mentorship program will play a pivotal role in expanding brain bank research in LMICs, contributing to advancements in neuroscience and aging research globally.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all applicants for their interest in the LMIC Brain Bank Mentorship Program and the time and effort invested in submitting their applications. We were truly inspired by the exceptional quality and dedication demonstrated in each submission.
It is with great pleasure that we announce the selected participants for the LMIC Brain Bank Mentorship Program:
Natalia Acosta Baena - Colômbia
Ana Laura Calderon Garcidueñas - México
Koni Katerin Mejia Rojas - Peru
Cristina Baládon - Uruguai
Daniel Machín - Uruguai
Samuel Mukono Gakinya - Quênia
Shahin Sayed - Quênia
Ayodeji Salami - Nigéria
Francis Bajunirwe - Uganda
Atwine Raymond - Uganda
We are thrilled to embark on this journey with the selected participants and look forward to fostering meaningful collaborations that will advance brain banking and neuroscience research globally. Together, we aim to create a lasting impact in the field and support the development of brain banks in low- and middle-income countries.
Thank you once again to all applicants for your interest and dedication. We encourage everyone to stay connected with us for future opportunities and initiatives.
Warm regards,
The Biobank for Aging Studies (BAS) Team.