Miami Student Grant Writers

Decreasing the Number of Rabies Cases in Madhya Pradesh

India has the highest rate of mortality due to rabies globally, with over 95 percent of rabies cases coming from dog bites (Radhakrishnan et al. 2020). There is an estimated one million free-roaming dogs in the Madhya Pradesh region alone. This proposal will focus on the mass vaccination of the free-roaming dog population within Madhya Pradesh. Focusing on the free-roaming dog population will prevent transmission of cases to humans, thereby decreasing disease incidence.

Q&A Time: 7:35--7:45 am  EST

Improving Canine Rabies Vaccination in Shivpuri

India has the highest mortality rate of human rabies globally, with approximately 18,000 to 20,000 fatalities annually (Janekunte et al. 2025; Radhakrishnan et al. 2020). Within Shivpuri, a rural district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the vast majority of canines are unvaccinated and therefore can pose the threat of rabies transmission to humans. Rabies has high virulence and a high fatality rate, making it one of India's largest health concerns, especially in areas like Madhya Pradesh, which in 2023 had the highest rates of dog bites. Shivpuri has no data regarding populations of human rabies, canine rabies, or rabies-infected livestock. We propose a canine vaccination campaign in Shivpuri, alongside the establishment of a database for long-term monitoring of rabies cases in this region. By vaccinating canines, we aim to reduce the incidence rates of rabies within both humans and animals.

Q&A Time: 7:50-8:00 am  EST

Improving Oral Health Effects Related to Betel Nut Chewing Using Mobile Dental Vans in Assam

Betal quid nuts are the fourth most popular social psychoactive drug in the world, with India being the world's largest consumer, with around 223.79 million people, chewing betel nut (Shao et al. 2026). Betel nut chewing is strongly associated with oral damage and certain oral cancers. Assam has the highest rates of oral cancer in India, with betel nut chewing considered to be the primary contributing factor to cancer mortality in this region. Despite the risks of Betel nut usage, this practice is normalized in social, cultural, and economic life, especially within rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. We propose conducting early screenings in areas like Assam through a mobile clinic to ensure that oral cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage. 

Q&A Time: 8:05-8:15 EST

Using Natural Indoor Air Purification as a Way to Reduce Cases of Childhood Asthma in Delhi, India: A Pilot Concept

Globally, there are 14% of children experiencing asthma symptoms; within Delhi, childhood asthma prevalence is at an almarming 22% of all children. In Delhi, pollution has been a global public health concern due to its link to respiratory illnesses such as asthma, as urbanization and industrialization increase in the capital city. Poor air quality can adversely affect children's health, as they are constantly exposed to pollution during outdoor play. Through this proposal, we will reduce the amount of time children are spending outside, exposed to air pollution during play, by creating a community space for indoor play.

Q&A Time: 8:15 -8:25 am EST

Preventing Hypertension-Diabetes Multimorbidity in Malappuram District, Kerala

A study of 540 adults seeking care at Malappuram's family health centers found that 39.8% already had two or more chronic conditions simultaneously, with hypertension (HTN) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) as the most common combination (Ismail et al., 2022; Ravindranath et al., 2024). Kerala has the highest rate of HTH-related multimorbidity of any Indian state, with nealthy 59% of cases of DM also experiencing symptoms of HTH. Nearly half of all adults diagnosed with HTN or DM do not know they have these invisible diseases. Adults aged 45 to 60 are in a critical window where progression toward serious illness, disability, and financial crisis can still be interrupted. Yet no existing program in the Malappuram district finds undiagnosed adults in the community, delivers education aimed at preventing a second condition in someone who already has one of these diseases, and connects that person to care for treating HTN and DM together. While resources may exist, the coordination and process to prevent further morbidities do not, a gap our intervention aims to address within our proposal.

Q&A Time: 8:30-8:40 am EST