International Exchange
The Applied Research Program's (ARP) collaborations with scientists in
other countries provide important opportunities for developing cancer prevention and
control interventions that are appropriate to the wide variety of cultures, socio-economic
characteristics, and infrastructure found around the world. Sensitivity to these contexts
is critical to translating science into practice in the international arena.
Welcoming International Scientists to ARP
In early 2006, the director of a large screening program in the Piedmont of Italy,
visited ARP to explore opportunities for collaborative research. He met with ARP staff to
discuss the evaluation of screening and treatment quality and talked with scientists in
the Division of Cancer Prevention about collaborating in biomarker studies. These
discussions were valuable because they identified common problems, clarified differences
due to the differences in the two health care delivery systems, and highlighted
opportunities for training and future collaboration.
In 1997, a German scientist visited ARP as part of her work to develop a short tool
that could be used in a population study to assess intake of various fat components. She
compared different analytical methods to identify important foods, and conducted analyses
on German dietary intake data. Her work resulted in the development of a new instrument,
and a comparative validity study, reported in two journal papers.
ARP Scientists Abroad
The Mansfield Foundation was created in 1983
to promote understanding and cooperation among the US and Asian nations. The Mansfield
Fellowship is awarded annually to up to 10 U.S. government employees, who spend a year
working full-time in a Japanese government office, after a year of intensive Japanese
language and area studies. Since the Fellowship was established, 70 fellows from 20
different agencies and departments have participated in the program.
Dr. Deirdre Lawrence, an ARP epidemiologist, is a 2005-2007 Mansfield Fellow. She has
been focusing on Japan's cancer control policies and exploring Japan's efforts to reduce
tobacco use and other lifestyle factors associated with cancer. During her fellowship,
she will work with Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Shizuoka Prefecture
Government Office, the National Institute of Public Health, and the National Cancer
Center. Dr. Lawrence is the first NIH staff member to be selected as a Mansfield
Fellow.
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