ABOUT US
BACKGROUND
The Health Research Unit Zim (THRU ZIM) at the Biomedical Research and Training Institute conducts research aimed at improving health and wellbeing across the life-course. We focus on public health issues of relevance to Zimbabwe and the African region. Our research group is multidisciplinary and collaborates with a range of local and international academic institutions, so that we can access the expertise to conduct research to the highest standards
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Prof Katharina Kranzer
Co-Director
I am a Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine, United Kingdom and a Senior Scientist at the Ludwig Maximillian University in Munich,
Germany. I am affiliated with the Biomedical Research and Training Institute and have been based in Zimbabwe since 2018. My research focuses on infectious disease diagnostics with a special interest in tuberculosis and spans from observational studies, clinical trials to implementation science. I lead the EDCTP funded SOFAR fellowship programme and I co-direct the Wellcome funded CREATE PhD programme.
Prof Celia Gregson
Co-Director
I am a Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, a consultant geriatrician and a NIHR Global Health Research Professor of Healthy Ageing in sub-Saharan Africa. I direct the Global Health and Ageing Research Unit at the University of Bristol, UK and co-direct The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe (THRU-Zim). I have expertise in musculoskeletal health and ageing. I and colleagues founded the ‘Sub-Saharan African MuSculOskeletal Network’ (www.theSAMSON.org), which aims to build musculoskeletal research capacity across the region. I lead a Wellcome-funded Collaborative - ‘Fractures in sub-Saharan Africa: Epidemiology, Economic impact and Ethnography’ (Fractures-E3), working with colleagues in The Gambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa. I chair the UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group and am a member of the Zimbabwean Osteoporosis and Bone Health Society. I also lead the KOSHESAI study that aims to implement community-based health checks for older people in Zimbabwe.
Ms Tsitsi Bandason
Data Management Director
I am a data manager and statistician with over 20 years of experience supporting diverse research study teams. I have been instrumental in developing robust data management processes and documentation where I have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing research quality through meticulous and innovative data management approaches. Before this, I served as a climate consultant at the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services, where I gained valuable experience in data management and analysis. Academically, I hold a BSc (Hons) in Statistics and an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology, both from the University of Zimbabwe.
Mr Ivan Chigonde (RPAcc)
Director Finance
I am a Registered Public Accountant accredited by the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB),an
Associate Member of Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe, and a Member of
the Southern African Association of Accountants. I hold a practicing certificate in accountants. Since
joining the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) in 2001, I have been entrusted with financial
management of all research grants under BRTI THRU-ZIM Unit. My responsibilities encompass the
preparation of financial statements in accordance with donor requirements, ensuring comprehensive
compliance with donor-specific financial policies and guidelines, maintaining an operational Finance
Procedure Manual, and overseeing the rigorous enforcement of internal controls within the Finance
Department.
Dr Rudo Chingono
Training & Mentorship
(Internal Training & Workshops)
I am a Social Scientist with a background in public health research. I previously earned a MSc in Social Science & Child and Family Studies from Africa University, and is currently in my final year of a PhD in Global Health Research at the University College London. For the past 7 years, I have coordinated a number of HIV related studies with focus on child development, adolescents and maternal health. My experience in this area has led to me being passionate about mental health awareness, especially among women in Zimbabwe. Recently, I have expanded my research interests to understanding the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health as well as its impact on mental health. I am leading a Social Science study that seeks to understand the impact of Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine programme on antimicrobial prescribing practices of healthcare workers.
Ms Ethel Dauya
Field Director
I am a public health specialist with 20 years of experience in research on HIV, TB and adolescent Health. I have coordinated Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 trials involving adolescents and young people for more than 10 years. I manage the CHIEDZA trial and provide oversight for other field studies in our group. Before becoming a researcher, I was a nurse manager for the Harare City Health Department. I have a Master’s in Public Health, degree in Community Development and diplomas in Community Nursing, Midwifery, General Nursing with certificates in Family Planning and Syndromic Management of STI.
Dr Constance Mackworth-Young
Training & Mentorship (MSc Projects)
I am an Assistant Professor of Medical Anthropology at LSHTM, based in Harare at THRU Zim. My research focuses on young people, sexual and reproductive health, and participatory qualitative methodologies.
At THRU Zim, I lead qualitative and anthropological components of several studies with young people, and set up the Zimbabwe Social Science Research Group. I lead training and mentorship of the many MSc students at THRU Zim.
Training & Mentorship
(Internal Training & Workshops)
I am an experienced public health professional with a nursing background. I hold a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from Africa University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Zimbabwe. Currently, I am a PhD candidate in medical research and international health at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).
Since September 2020, I have been working as a research coordinator at THRU ZIM. My career has focused on HIV and TB prevention and treatment programs, and I have collaborated with organizations such as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Population Services International, and the Ministry of Health.
Mr Edson Marambire
Prof Rashida Ferrand
Grantsmanship
I obtained my primary medical degree from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and following postgraduate training in internal medicine and clinical specialist training in HIV Medicine and Sexual Health, I joined the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Since 2007, I have been based in Harare, hosted by the Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) where I lead the Zimbabwe-LSHTM research partnership. Our focus is on HIV, Adolescent Health, Chronic non-infectious morbidities, Tuberculosis and Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance.
I am a Wellcome Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Paediatric Infectious Diseases, and an honorary consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. I work between the UK and Harare, Zimbabwe on a portfolio of studies aimed at improving diagnosis, management and prevention of neonatal sepsis in low-resource settings. I'm particularly interested in how we can improve infection prevention and control (IPC) and limit the spread of anti-microbial resistance, despite the challenges of working with few and intermittent resources. I am part of a multidisciplinary international team led by Michelle Heys at University College London which has co-developed Neotree, a digital quality improvement tool aiming to support clinicians in Malawi and Zimbabwe care for vulnerable neonates while capturing data. I’ve recently taken over as PhD lead at THRU ZIM.
Dr Felicity Fitzgerald
Training & Mentorship
(PhD Support Lead)
Mr Tendai Muchena
Administration
I am the group’s administrator and my role include organizing meetings, supporting our overseas research visitors, procurement, managing regulatory applications and visas for our team and working with the field manager to ensure that field procedures run smoothly. I joined the group in 2008, initially as an administrator for a 1-year project, then joining the research teams as a research assistant. I trained in Marketing and M&E in the past, and I am currently in my final year for a BSc (Hons) degree in Development Studies.
Dr Vicky Simms
Statistics
I am a statistical epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and a member of the International Statistics and Epidemiology Partnership. I work on randomised controlled trials and cohort studies in the areas of HIV, adherence to antiretroviral therapy and mental health, including children and adolescents. I lived in Zimbabwe from 2019-2024.
Public Engagement & Communications
I am a public health specialist and postdoctoral research fellow with a research focus on menstrual health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health service delivery, and public engagement. I have vast experience coordinating and implementing interventions focusing on SRHR, addressing the needs of the LGBTQI community, and women’s health. Currently, I am a Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute post-doctoral fellow leading an innovative project focusing on women and menstruation across the life-course and on the co-creation of a menstrual health toolkit with women, healthcare providers, and other relevant stakeholders in rural and urban communities across Zimbabwe. As the public engagement lead for THRU ZIM, I am involved in several public engagement research projects across Zimbabwe including the Youth Researchers Academy (YRA) and the Art of Health. I hold a PhD (Epidemiology) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, an MSc in Global Health and Development from UCL and a BA in Public Health and Women's Gender Studies.
Dr Mandikudza Tembo
Social Science
I am an Associate Professor of Global Health at the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney. Trained as an anthropologist, I held a position at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine from 2006-2024. I have been conducting social and implementation science to inform the design of youth-focused infectious disease programming and policy in HIV and TB, including its impact on mental health, in Zimbabwe since 2010. I lead community engaged participatory research and process evaluations for a range of complex sexual & reproductive health and HIV interventions here, as well as in Uganda, South Africa, Vietnam and the Pacific. I have twenty years’ experience of teaching qualitative research methods and providing sustained mentorship to social science teams.
Assoc Prof Sarah Bernays
COLLABORATORS
FUNDING
RESEARCH
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IMPLEMENTING
