Partner Spotlight: Q&A with Jaime Miranda

We recently talked with Jaime Miranda, one of our key partners in Peru, about his work there and his collaboration with DGHI researchers.

Tell us about the work that you do in Peru.

I’m an investigator at CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases. We’re a health research center specializing in non-communicable diseases, composed of a multidisciplinary team whose different career paths give them each a unique approach. We operate under the auspices of Lima’s Cayetano Heredia University (UPCH), and both are recognized among the most prestigious research institutions in South America.

Most of our work focuses on non-communicable diseases, which covers physical and mental chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, depression and others. Our work tries to illustrate the burden of chronic disease in low and middle income countries. 

We pay particular attention to the discrepancies between urban and rural areas and high altitude and low altitude settings. These are important considerations given the geographic diversity of Peru, which includes the Andes mountains and populations living at 4,000 meters above sea level.

We use the tools of epidemiological research, the study of health systems, interventions and clinical trials to address those issues. The combination of the conditions we study and the tools we use to study them gives us a great diversity in the areas of our work. It’s a rich environment that encourages collaboration.

What factors do you think contribute to a successful international partnership?

Parties should place an emphasis on supporting enabling environments. It is critical and non-negotiable in any international relationship that partners support relationships where the gains are mutual for both sides. Our work with DGHI has been very cognizant of and supportive of that. You have to nurture these relationships—they don’t come easy or free or quickly. I’m appreciative that DGHI is responsive to that.