Perot Saelao departed from the University of California, Davis on July 10th 2015 to assist in the research being conducted at the University of Ghana and Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. In total, he spent a week at each University working with faculty, staff, and graduate student researchers to further hone their molecular laboratory abilities and familiarize the individuals with the shared methods needed. The molecular methods being demonstrated included RNA isolation, quantitative RT-PCR, equipment calibration, and refreshment on general laboratory techniques. The majority of the training centered on refining and reemphasizing protocols and methods that had already been demonstrated by previous graduate students from ISU. These methods had also undergone some minor modifications to help improve processivity thus needing additional time spent for training. In addition laboratory assistance, Perot also assisted in assessing and optimizing the animal trials being conducted at the two research stations. Perot was able to once again refine and demonstrate proper procedures and guidance for handling the birds and sample collection. At this time point within the project, it was crucial to provide the two Universities the necessary support and guidance needed to independently carry out a complete and thorough animal trial in order to begin understanding the native chicken breeds within Africa and their genetic predisposition to the Newcastle disease virus. With the assistance provided by the researcher from UC Davis, the collaborators from UOG and SUA were able to discuss, deliberate, and share valuable insights with one another to further help enrich the educational and intellectual opportunities such interpersonal collaborations facilitate.
