CORPORACION CENTRO INTERNACIONAL DE ENTRENAMIENTO E INVESTIGACIONES MEDICAS (CIDEIM)

Cali, Colombia

Since 1961, CIDEIM has pioneered biomedical research in global health and infectious diseases in Colombia, with a particular focus on tropical medicine and neglected diseases. CIDEIM is a WHO collaborating center in leishmaniasis since 1992. The multidisciplinary approach to infectious disease research (including vector-borne -leishmaniasis, dengue, malaria-, syphilis, tuberculosis, among others), integrates immunology, molecular and cell biology, epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical and social research. This, together with access to affected populations and technological infrastructure, converge in a unique environment enabling basic and applied research outcomes to promote the wellbeing of vulnerable populations impacted by neglected infectious diseases in Colombia and the region. Our research programs explore 1) the molecular basis of host responses driving divergent clinical outcomes of vector-borne infections, and the cellular mechanisms involved in therapeutic responses; 2) innate and adaptive immunity in infection and disease; 3) molecular epidemiology and population genetics of microbial pathogens in the context of drug resistance and pharmacovigilance; and 4) and social determinants of endemicity and prevalence of disease. In the Yellow4FLAVI consortium, we will bring our clinical, translational and social research expertise to investigate the innate and adaptive immune determinants of the response to yellow fever vaccination in individuals with pre-exposure to dengue virus, and the social factors influencing vaccine acceptability in communities where flaviviral infections are endemic.

Project Team

Dr. Maria Adelaida Gomez

Maria Adelaida Gómez, PhD., is a Colombian scientist devoted to biomedical research on neglected infectious diseases. Her research aims to unravel the host-pathogen interactions and underlying mechanisms that determine the clinical and therapeutic outcomes of human leishmaniasis, as a model of vector borne tropical infectious diseases. Most recently, she has undertaken investigations on innate immune responses induced by vaccines against flaviviruses. These biomedical investigations include a spectrum of approaches, models and study designs that range from inquiry on mechanisms of drug resistance and pathogenicity using in vitro systems, to characterization of the immunological and pharmacological functions that contribute to pathology and disease resolution in patients. Her research has been funded by Wellcome and US-NIH among others.

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Dr. Neal Alexander

Neal Alexander works mostly on trials and epidemiological studies of vector borne diseases including dengue and leishmaniasis. He has been based in Colombia since 2004. As well as CIDEIM, he is affiliated with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He previously lived in Nigeria and Papua New Guinea, working on trials of ivermectin against onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. His first degree was in mathematics and his PhD was on the epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis.

Dr. Milena Bautista

Milena Bautista Gómez is a Colombian social health researcher whose primary area of interest is the health of rural communities affected by infectious diseases. Drawing from her experience in understanding rural societies and territorial conflicts, she has aimed to contribute to a holistic understanding of health from a social sciences perspective. In recent years, she has developed multidisciplinary, community-based research, implementation research, and efforts to strengthen the social appropriation of knowledge, all with the goal of improving the health conditions of vulnerable rural populations affected by infectious diseases.

Juan Camilo Montoya Díaz, MSc.

Juan Camilo Montoya Díaz is a Colombian anthropologist and biologist with a master's degree in Social and Political Studies. He focuses on fostering peace, promoting social inclusion, and advancing sustainable development in public health and in agricultural, sociocultural, educational, and business contexts. With expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research, he integrates gender, ethnic, territorial, and intersectional approaches. His work targets reducing inequalities in rural and marginalized communities by addressing how armed conflict, migration, illicit economies, and social inequality contribute to health disparities, while creating pathways for more equitable health solutions.

Alexandra Cossio

Alexandra Cossio Duque RN., MSc in Epidemiology, is the Co-Leader of the Clinical Research Unit of CIDEIM. She has participated in multiple projects ranging from clinical trials to basic, translational, epidemiological, and implementation research studies in human infectious diseases. Her research projects have contributed to improving access to diagnosis and treatment for patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Alexandra will contribute to this study her broad experience working with multidisciplinary teams in clinical trials and observational studies, particularly in endemic environments for vector borne infections, where resources are limited.

Lady Giovanna Ramirez, MSc

Lady Giovanna Ramirez, M.Sc., is a Clinical Microbiologist with extensive experience elucidating host-pathogen relationships in neglected human infectious diseases. As a member of the Immunology and Cell Biology Laboratory at CIDEIM, she has dedicated her career to advancing the understanding of the immunological determinants of pathology in intracellular infections, she has significantly contributed to research proposals focusing on innate immune responses and the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. Her expertise also includes training and capacity building through delivery of courses in Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Health Research Practice (GHRP), and Effective Project Planning and Evaluation in Health Research (PEEP). Her work is driven by a commitment to improving health outcomes through scientific innovation and collaborative research.

Lyda Osorio, MD

Lyda Osorio is a Medical doctor, infectious disease epidemiologist, professor at the Universidad del Valle Colombia and associate researcher at CIDEIM in Cali-Colombia. She has postdoctoral studies in Clinical Research and Development and pharmacoepidemiology, and is Trainer of trainers in Good Research Practices, including GCP and Effective Planning and Evaluation of Health Research Projects. She works with multilateral agencies and health authorities in conducting research in priority health areas, infectious disease control programs, and strengthening capacity in health research

Project tasks

Work Package 2 Identification of host factors that predict and influence the vaccine response to YF17D

Task 2.2. Lead: Recruiting and collecting samples from new Colombian cohorts vaccinated with YF17D
Task 2.3. Quantification and serological characterisation of the vaccine response to YF17D in the collected cohorts
Task 2.4. Investigate host factors that predict and influence the vaccine response to YF17D

Work Package 5 Mixed-methods research on perceptions of novel vaccine technologies and conceptions of (vaccine induced) immunity: lessons for (flavivirus) risk communication

Task 5.1. Conceptions of (vaccine-induced) immunity and novel vaccine technologies – a qualitative study
Task 5.2. Prevalence of knowledge and acceptance of novel vaccine technologies and perceived barriers to vaccination, preparedness uptake and in cross-cultural comparison
Task 5.3. Theory-based experimental communication intervention to increase vaccination education and acceptance, in particular in vulnerable subpopulations
Task 5.4. Public roll-out of vaccine risk communication materials and strategies