Analyzing the cultural and financial implications of a commercialized exchange system of laboratory patient samples between Malawian and University of North Carolina- Malawi (2015)

Undergraduates: Connor Belson, Irving Hoffman, Francis Martinson, Robert Krysiak, Debbie Kamwendo

Faculty Advisor: Irving Hoffman
Department: Biology

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This research was conducted with the goal of implementing a previously evaluated commercial exchange system of patient samples between the UNC Project research center in Lilongwe, Malawi and other surrounding private and international clinics. While implementing this exchange system, research was conducted to identify possible challenges and barriers, both cultural and financial, that could limit the project¿¿¿s progress and to determine a system of methods to overcome those obstacles. This was done to assist in the creation of a methodology that will allow the project to succeed fully. If successful, this entire commercialization framework could be used as a guide for other international research sites in the developing world, particularly those that require the interaction and coordination of multi-national research teams.