Fellowship Site: Vellore, India

The Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, India is currently ranked as one of the top medical schools in India. The institution was founded by an American missionary in 1900, and exists to serve the needs of the local community and to train medical and paramedical professionals in holistic and ethical medicine. The Christian Medical College Hospital (CMCH) at Vellore is a 2000-bed tertiary referral hospital and has a long established track record in basic, clinical and public health research.

The college is experienced in the organization and conduct of training activities. The college also has a number of facilities that are unique in India. The Epidemiology Resource Center, Clinical Epidemiology Network, and Department of Biostatistics in CMC provide excellent support for the performance and analysis of research studies. The well-equipped laboratories are staffed by well-trained personnel who are in turn supervised by faculty responsible for diagnostic tests, and also have individual research interests that are well-funded from national and international sources. The National External Quality Assurance programs for biochemistry and microbiology are run by the respective departments in Vellore, which also participate in the programs run by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC. The Director of CMC is committed to providing administrative and organizational support for any initiative that will establish CMCH as a prime training center in India in the fields of HIV, opportunistic infections, nutrition and metabolism. The presence of established community networks and dedicated clinic services run by various departments in CMC will also provide a base for studies carried out by trainee researchers.

The NIH-funded clinical research includes the following projects:

1. Molecular Epidemiology of Cryptosporidial Infections in HIV Infected Individuals in South India
2. Techniques for S. Pneumoniae and H. Influenzae Detection
3. Resistant Starch: Adjunct to Oral Rehydration Solution
4. Studies of Antenatal Screening of HIV infected women, and the natural history of HIV in women
5. Micronutrient status in HIV infected individuals in Vellore
6. Impact of maternal HIV infection on outcomes in HIV negative children in Vellore
7. Clinical epidemiology and treatment of HIV infection in Vellore

Housing Availability:
The India program has air-conditioned and non air-conditioned rooms with en suite bathrooms that are located at the training site. The approximate cost for room and board is $500/month. Fellows have also had the opportunity to rent an apartment near campus in the past.

Immunizations Needed for this Site:
See the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Web site and The Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel.

The NIH/FICRS program mandates that all Scholars see a physician prior to their assignment abroad (hepatitis A and B).

Safety and Danger Issues:
See the U.S. State Department Web site for information.

Language Requirements Other than English:
All staff speak English, but for field studies, the assistance of an interpreter would be required. Language lessons in Tamil are available.

What is it like to live in India?
Christian Medical College in Vellore has a large campus, with visiting students from all over India as well as international students. The faculty are very attentive to visiting students' needs and provide a comfortable living environment in the midst of the academic medical center.