Location: Research Programs
Project Number: 3022-32000-018-007-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 1, 2022
End Date: Aug 1, 2025
Objective:
The USDA ARS has several cooperative research projects in Kenya. The projects include the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Kenya Wildlife Research & Training Institute (KWRTI, through Kenya Wildlife Services) and the Stanford University that has ongoing related research project in Kenya. Multiple research units are currently working with KALRO with potential to expand to KWRTI which is a new research institute in Kenya. The objective of this agreement is for Kansas State University to provide additional expertise, physical and infrastructure support to facilitate and staffing support to coordinate these cooperative research projects.
Approach:
The Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit has ongoing molecular diagnostic and arbovirus surveillance studies at KALRO and KWRTI. These projects are providing minimal consultative support to a related cooperative project with Stanford University. The molecular tools current on loan to KALRO and KWRTI are outdated and therefore required disposable cuvettes are becoming hard to obtain. Other ARS research units investigating transboundary diseases exotic to the US but endemic in Kenya, are also cooperating with the same KARLO research group. Therefore, there is a need to update the infrastructure to facilitate these research project. The KSU will provide modern molecular diagnostic equipment and training on operation. KSU will also provide additional staffing needed in Kenya to coordinate activities among these various projects, facilitate ARS staff when in country and ensure the success of the projects.
