Affiliated Courses The Center for Tropical Diseases (CTD)

The UTMB Global Health Scholarly Concentration offers students opportunities for international research, clinical electives, and insights into global healthcare delivery. Through innovative education and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the program prepares future healthcare professionals to engage in global health challenges.

• Intensive Course in Tropical and Travel Medicine
  • Open to UTMB 3rd and 4th-year medical students, this 4-week elective is a requirement for the Global Health Scholarly Concentration. The course, offered during Period 9, includes lectures, small group discussions, and lab work.
  • Registration: By C-form only. Contact Brad Brock at ba2brock@utmb.edu to request a form.
• Field Epidemiology in Northern Peru
  • This two-week training experience is open to UTMB students from all four schools, residents, physician fellows, and post-doctoral fellows. Medical students can earn elective credit (INTL 4004), and graduate students may receive GSBS course credit. Undergraduate health professions students may qualify for independent study credit.
  • Application Process: Open each March. The course typically occurs in August.

SPECTRE Biocontainment Unit Team Training Program

The Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness & Education Program (SPECTRE) specialized Biocontainment Unit (BCU) Training Program is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the essential skills and knowledge to operate safely and effectively in high-containment environments.

Through a combination of hands-on training, simulations, and expert-led sessions, participants develop proficiency in:

• High-Containment PPE Training – Proper donning and doffing procedures to minimize contamination risk.
• Tabletop Exercises – Scenario-based discussions to enhance decision-making in high-risk situations.
• Case Scenarios – Realistic patient care simulations to refine clinical and operational response.
• Public Health Coordination – Strengthening collaboration with local, state, and federal health authorities.

• Join us for our monthly multi-continental clinical training conference. Global Grand Rounds offers a unique platform for international collaboration and learning. Each hour-long session features 1-2 case presentations on tropical diseases, followed by differential diagnosis discussions from global participants and expert-led topic reviews. Engage, learn, and connect across borders!
• Contact us to be added to the mailing list for Global Grand Rounds
  • Ada Jagape Sison ajsison@utmb.edu