Universities discuss research opportunities

06 October 2018, 12:00AM

Future collaborations in research for medical and other scientific areas of expertise were the focus of discussion between the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) and two New Zealand based universities. 

Held earlier this week, the dialogue was between the N.U.S. School of Medicine and research experts, and leading research professors from the University of Auckland and University of Otago.  

A press statement said Professor Peter Shepherd from the University of Auckland and Professor Tony Merriman from the University of Otago paid a courtesy call to N.U.S. and the School of Medicine to initiate discussions on possible partnerships in research development tackling medical conditions which are common in Samoa. 

The discussions between the two institutions identified several challenges, which include among others cancer, diabetes, rheumatic fever, genetic, TB drugs, microbial drug resistance, gout and metabolic diseases as the priority areas for research development, said the statement.  

According to the statement, Samoa is among the top 10 countries in the world with an alarming rate of diabetic conditions and this is a major challenge to national developments posing a threat to the future population.  

The proposed collaboration envisions scientists from the School of Medicine, leading researchers of N.U.S. and other cohort institutions such as S.R.O.S. to initiate a caucus that will work with Maurice Wilkins Center on research projects to help address the identified areas of health concerns within Samoa, said the statement.  

In his presentation, Professor Shepherd shared his study on “Genetics and metabolic health of Maori and Pacific people” where statistics found that it is not directly environmental factors relating a certain individual with diabetic and obesity, gene is one other contributing element. 

He added several new drugs are being developed and currently in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer, diabetics, TB and rheumatic diseases. 

Samoa will benefit greatly from this collaboration where local researchers at the School of Medicine and other Faculties can be part of the ongoing investigations of health conditions of our own people and more importantly identifying possible solutions, said the statement.   

Additional discussions noted the need for the School of Medicine staff to explore opportunities that will enhance their skills and knowledge especially continuous professional development which will go a long way in redefining and rekindling the passion and love for scientific explorations. 

Professors Shepherd and Merriman are leading researchers and investigators at the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiversity. 

Wilkins Centre is one of New Zealand’s national research Centers and ranked as Centre for Excellence for Molecular Biotechnology. 

The institution has contributed immensely initiating and conducting various research projects on health conditions that are common in the Pacific Island countries.

06 October 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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