University of Rwanda
UR-CEBE
Our Mission

Project Objectives

Three interconnected aims that drive SYNAPSE's work — training, research, and continuous improvement.

Core Aims

What SYNAPSE Seeks to Achieve

Comprehensive training and mentored research using synthetic healthcare data across partner institutions

01

Training in Synthetic Healthcare Data

UR/AIMS/UCT program faculty will be trained in the use of MDClone software through short (1–2 day) beginner and advanced courses. Training includes hands-on experience with synthetic data and peer mentoring from MDClone ADAMS expert users at WUSTL.

Expected Outcomes
  • Faculty proficiency in MDClone ADAMS platform
  • Understanding of synthetic data generation principles
  • Data privacy and research ethics awareness
  • Peer mentoring networks established with WUSTL
  • Institutional training capacity embedded at UR and AIMS
02

Mentored Research Projects

Deliver immersive, semester-long research project experiences using synthetic healthcare data. Trainees will be paired with faculty mentors and expert MDClone ADAMS users to complete research projects with scientific publication expectations.

Expected Outcomes
  • First trainee cohort (n=8) complete Small Research Projects (SRPs)
  • SRP grant proposals developed and submitted for UR approval
  • Scientific manuscripts prepared for peer-reviewed publication
  • Mentorship pipelines from trainees to faculty to WUSTL experts
  • Research targeting HIV, malaria, NCDs, maternal health in Rwanda
03

Program Evaluation

Continuous evaluation of short-term training and semester-long research projects by trainees and faculty. Evaluations are used to improve the program over time and ensure quality outcomes across all SYNAPSE activities.

Expected Outcomes
  • Regular feedback collected from all trainees and faculty
  • Structured evaluation frameworks adapted from DS-I Africa standards
  • Program adjustments made in response to each cohort's evaluations
  • Lessons learned documented and shared with DS-I Africa consortium
  • Long-term tracking of trainee career outcomes and research impact
Impact Targets

Key Program Metrics

Measurable goals that define the success of the SYNAPSE project

220+
Workshop Participants Trained
6
Faculty Trained on MDClone ADAMS
8
Trainees in First Cohort
3
Years Project Duration

Part of the DS-I Africa Network

SYNAPSE is one of four DS-I Africa programs participating in this initiative. The DS-I Africa consortium represents NIH's commitment to building a sustainable, Africa-led ecosystem for data science research that addresses the continent's most critical health challenges.

Learn About Our Partners
Collaboration Network

Our Partner Institutions

SYNAPSE is powered by a network of leading institutions across the U.S. and Africa.

NIH National Institutes of Health (NIH) Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis AIMS African Institute for Mathematical Sciences DS-I Africa DS-I Africa Consortium RBC Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) NHIC National Health Insurance Council DST-HIRWA DST-HIRWA
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