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t m c » p u l s e | j u n e 2 0 1 6 6 The chancellor had to approve because of the sensitiv- ity of the project." Weaver noted that the project will not involve UTMB's biosafety level four laboratory or select agents UTMB researchers study. "It's strictly to help do research on mutually import- ant diseases like Zika, chikungunya and dengue," he said. Atlantic Philanthropies, founded by Duty Free Shoppers entrepreneur Chuck Feeney, has been involved in Cuba since the early 2000s, said Christopher G. Oechsli, president and chief executive officer. Here in the U.S., the main focus of the partnership will be to train Cuban scientists who have an interest in developing a biosafety level three laboratory. BSL-3 labs have specific requirements and precautions that must be followed, given that the scientists in them handle potentially-lethal microbes. UTMB's training facility, which trains researchers from all over the world, will be working with visiting Cuban scientists to ensure they are able to safely study such volatile materials. The training process is rigorous, and includes eight hours of classroom training, approximately three one-on-one training sessions, depending on how an individual progresses, written pre-assessment and post-assessment tests, and approval from a biosafety officer before starting a mentorship process. Vickie Jones, a BSL-2 and BSL-3 trainer for the Laboratory Biosafety Training Program, a component of UTMB's National Biocontainment Training Center, said they use a variety of harmless substances during the process to illustrate different techniques. "We use fluorescein, the yellow drops ophthalmolo- gists use to check for tears or abrasions on the cornea, because it's nontoxic, and you can see it in normal light," Jones said. "We use it to track contamination and show people at the end, 'Hey, look, let's work on your technique.' It also picks up well under the black light to show contamination." Jones said they use the same substance, or even food coloring, to test how well a trainee dilutes by look- ing at the gradation of color. To teach proper personal protective equipment (PPE) donning and doffing, the team uses shaving cream. If the cream ends up on a person's clothes or body, it indicates improper tech- nique. Safe PPE removal is vital in any space where scientists or physicians are dealing with virulent materials. Weaver noted that improper removal of PPE is likely how health care workers were infected with Ebola in 2014. Left: Parents watch over their newborn in a Cuban health clinic. Right: Patients in the waiting room of a Cuban health clinic. Credit: © Magnum Photographer Cristina Garcia Rodero There are always new and emerging health threats coming down the pike, and there are no borders to health challenges. — CHRISTOPHER G. OECHSLI President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Philanthropies Infections and Immunity, and Professor at UTMB Scott C. Weaver, Ph.D., demonstrates some of the techniques used to train visiting scientists in the UTMB National Biocontainment Training Center. "This project is a convergence of multiple things: The increased threat and challenge of Zika and also dengue and chikungunya, and the fact that the U.S. is exploring ways to collaborate for mutual benefit. This is really about mutual benefit," Oechsli said. "We do hope that this particular research could lead to strategies for containing or limiting the spread of these viruses and we always hope that something like a vaccine could result. There are always new and emerging health threats coming down the pike, and there are no borders to health challenges."