Build neuroscience capacity in Africa

The commentary below was originally published in Nature.

The non-profit organization TReND is funding a neuroscience training initiative so that Africa’s scientists can join this rapidly evolving research field (see www.trendinafrica.org).

TReND (for ‘Teaching and Research in Neuroscience for Development’) is run by volunteer researchers at several universities worldwide. It organizes outreach courses and workshops for young African scientists on how to conduct quality, affordable neuroscience research in resource-limited settings. In 2010–14, more than 1,000 African students took part in TReND programmes.

The organization provides students with used lab equipment from universities, hospitals and companies in developed countries, as well as open-source software and hardware.

We call on industry and governments for more investment in such activities to improve science education and promote economic development in Africa.

Fanuel Muindi

Fanuel Muindi is a former neuroscientist turned civic science scholar-journalist and entrepreneur. He is a Professor of Practice in the College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern University where he leads the Civic Science Media Lab. Dr. Muindi received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and PhD in Organismal Biology from Morehouse College and Stanford University respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT.

• Fanuel Muindi

  https://civicsciencemedia.org/author/csmlabdirector/

  Visualized: US states with the highest number of active public engagement with science grants from the NSF-AISL program
• Fanuel Muindi

  https://civicsciencemedia.org/author/csmlabdirector/

  Catherine Cramer from CUNY discusses the logic model behind the ecosystem mapping project in NYC
• Fanuel Muindi

  https://civicsciencemedia.org/author/csmlabdirector/

  From the lab to the classroom & beyond: Prof. Nannas shares insights from her science engagement
• Fanuel Muindi

  https://civicsciencemedia.org/author/csmlabdirector/

  Elementary students judging science research? Co-organizers of Virginia Tech's 'Flip the Fair' science engagement community event explain