Request for proposals

Request for proposals: Promising agriculture and food policies and innovations to better health and nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Pan American Health Organization (www.paho.org) will fund three research proposals that show how existing or potential agriculture and food policies or technological innovations (e.g., biotechnology) can make a contribution to population health and diet with focus on obesity and non-communicable disease in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Deadline for submitting proposals: 4 September 2009, 2:00 pm (US Eastern Time)

Proposals that incorporate issues of agriculture sustainability, preservation of culinary traditions, or promote collaboration between agriculture and public health professionals are particularly encouraged. Policies are expected to show potential or actual population impact on health and nutrition by way of modifying one or some of the following aspects: agriculture and trade policies, food security, food and nutrition policies and consumer behaviors (e.g., food-purchasing behavior and food consumption patterns).

The principal investigator must be an "in-country" professional from any country in Latin American and the Caribbean and must be affiliated to an institution with identifiable research experience.

Email applications with the subject: PAHO RFP FOOD POLICY & HEALTH to Dr. Enrique Jacoby at jacobyen@paho.org with copy to bennette@paho.org.

Download the request for proposals at: http://devserver.paho.org/equity/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=158.

New report - GM CROPS: GLOBAL SOCIO ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 1996 - 2007

GM CROPS: GLOBAL SOCIO ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 1996 - 2007
Graham Brookes & Peter Barfoot; PGS Economics, UK

A new, updated study by UK based economists Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot, quantifies the cumulative economic and environmental impacts of biotech crops grown during the past twelve years (1996-2007). The authors report that biotech crops have resulted in significant global economic and environmental benefits and are making important contributions to global food security. Over the past twelve years, the authors report that biotech crop adoption has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, reduced pesticide spraying and significantly increased farmer incomes. They note that this technology has also contributed to higher yields for many farmers resulting in increases in crop production. The full report is available at www.pgeconomics.co.uk .
A summary version has been submitted for publication and is currently in peer review. Previous versions of this study have been published in peer reviewed scientific journals.

PhD opportunity in epidemiology

A PhD student position is available immediately in the area of disease
modeling and spatial epidemiology in the group of Dr. Renata Ivanek at
the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M
University
(http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/vibs/facultydetail.aspx?ID=RIvanek).

Applicants must (i) have earned a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) or
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM or equivalent), (ii) have an
interest in mathematics and statistics and (iii) have an interest in the
epidemiology of infectious and foodborne diseases. Past experience or
education in epidemiology is highly desirable.

The PhD student would join a vibrant group of researchers and graduate
students within the program of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public
Health, in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, at the
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The
College is recognized as a national leader in research, education and
service and offers students outstanding opportunities for state of the
art research training and collaboration both within the college and
throughout the University system.

Interested individuals should send their CV with names and contact
details of three referees and their GRE scores to Dr. Ivanek (
rivanek@cvm.tamu.edu)