Andrew Springer, DrPH, MPH assistant professor, postdoctoral fellow University of Texas School of Public Health
	Collaboration project with the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas Medical School on physical and nutritional measures in elementary schools.
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of premature death, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, asthma, some cancers and psychological disorders.  In November of 2005, the director of research for the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas Medical School in Tamaulipas, Mexico, Dr. Francisco Vazquez Nava, made contact with the University of Texas School of Public Health to explore possible research collaborations in obesity prevention.  Dr. Andrew Springer, postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research with a strong research emphasis in childhood obesity and physical activity in Latin American countries, was invited by UAT to give a lecture on the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States and explore possible research interests.  During his visit he met with UAT faculty, and developed collaboration for a project that would measure the amount of physical activity, nutrition and the implementation of school-based obesity prevention interventions. He applied for the International Programs Award to help fund his trip and pay for research materials that would be needed. “I first heard about the award through the intranet emails,” says Dr. Springer, “and also from great appraise from a former winner, and thought this would be a good opportunity for me.” Dr. Spring hopes to ultimately accomplish several goals with the project, but first and foremost is to produce a successful assessment for research and secondly build a strong relationship between the institutions for future collaborations and benefits. “The award has helped tremendously in helping this project to succeed,” praised Dr. Springer. Dr. Springer plans to use the award to help with travel costs to Tamaulipas and help with the production costs of the study. He plans to initiate the study in the spring of 2007 and take place over a 6 to 8 month period.