Research Activities

The founding philosophy of the BRTI was that it would be a mechanism for support to local, regional and international researchers. The intention was not to employ a large number of research staff since this would put BRTI in competition with other research institutions rather than providing support to these institutions. The research and training programs have a policy of employing staff from these other institutions on specific project activities, so that they can be supported financially and scientifically, while they can still make their contribution to national universities and other structures. The BRTI is committed to providing support to research in all aspects of health.

The BRTI requires, however, that the research be ethical and relevant. All studies undertaken have to receive the approval of the BRTI Institutional Review Board and have to be approved by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe. Non-Zimbabwean researchers who wish to visit Zimbabwe for the purpose of the conduct of research also need approval by the Research Council of Zimbabwe. The BRTI assists in the preparation of documentation needed for these approvals. We also require that research studies contribute towards national capacity building - for example by supporting postgraduate students or by improving the ability of clinics and laboratories to diagnose and manage diseases of national significance. The great majority of research projects in Zimbabwe, as well as in many other countries of southern Africa, have focused on HIV infection – an epidemic that has had a major impact on other infectious diseases as well as on diseases of poverty.

The BRTI has been actively involved with researchers from Imperial College, London on a long-term study of HIV epidemiology in eastern Zimbabwe. Through collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine the BRTI has also played an active role in supporting research into tuberculosis, and we hope to be able to develop capacity for TB diagnosis and management as opportunities arise. The BRTI is intending, for example, to develop a TB Diagnostics Unit that can investigate the value of some of the newer technologies to detect mycobacterial infections. We also have a great interest in recent research in malaria and hope during the coming year to develop international research collaborations using the contacts made during our support for the Malaria Training Program in collaboration with Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

BRTI: Number of Active Researchers

• Professor Peter Mason PhD (Medical Microbiology)
• Mrs Shungu Munyati MSc (PhD in progress)
• Professor Innocent Gangaidzo BM; BCh
• Professor Simon Gregson DPhil (Demography)
• Dr Constance Nyamukapa PhD (Social Epidemiology)
• Dr Rashida Ferrand, MD (PhD in progress, Epidemiology)
• Mrs Junior Mutsvangwa MSc (PhD in progress, Medical Microbiology)
• Ms Tsitsi Bandason MSc
• Mr Brian Chandiwana MBA
• Mr Ronnie Matambo BSc
• Mr Stephen Buzuzi, MSc (Social Anthropology), MBA

University of Zimbabwe-College of Health Sciences Affiliates

• Professor Lovemore Gwanzura PhD (Medical Microbiology)
•  Professor Simba Rusakaniko PhD (Biostatistics)
• Mr Alfred Chingono, MSc (Clinical Psychology)