Institutional Review Board
Independent ethical review and oversight of research involving human participants.
Institutional Review Board
The Macha Research Trust Institutional Review Board (MRT-IRB) provides independent ethical review and oversight of research involving human participants.
The Committee reviews research proposals to ensure that the rights, safety, dignity and welfare of research participants are protected throughout the research process.
The MRT-IRB brings together scientific, clinical, legal, administrative and community perspectives to support balanced and comprehensive ethical review.
IRB Responsibilities
Ethical Review
Review research protocols to ensure that proposed research meets appropriate ethical standards.
Participant Protection
Protect the rights, safety, dignity and welfare of research participants.
Informed Consent
Review informed consent processes and participant information to ensure that participation is voluntary and appropriately informed.
Continuing Oversight
Provide appropriate continuing ethical oversight of approved research.
IRB Submission Process
Researchers intending to conduct research involving human participants should follow the appropriate ethical review and submission procedures.
Prepare
Prepare the research protocol, participant information, informed consent documents and supporting materials.
Submit
Submit the required documentation for ethical review.
Review
The MRT-IRB reviews the research for scientific, ethical and participant protection considerations.
Decision
Researchers receive the Committee's decision and any conditions or required revisions.
Required IRB Documents
Researchers will be able to access the required MRT-IRB submission forms, templates and supporting documents from this section.
IRB Submission Documents
Submission forms, templates and guidance documents will be made available here.
Coming SoonMRT-IRB Member Biographical Sketches
The Macha Research Trust Institutional Review Board (MRT-IRB) is composed of members with diverse scientific, clinical, legal, administrative and community backgrounds. This multidisciplinary composition enables the Committee to provide independent, balanced and comprehensive ethical review of research involving human participants.
Mr Japhet Matoba
Project Coordinator and Data Manager — Macha Research Trust
Japhet Matoba is Chairperson of the Macha Research Trust Institutional Review Board and has over 15 years of experience in health research, including multisite study coordination, research data management, laboratory systems and malaria surveillance.
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Mr Matoba has completed research ethics training through the National Health Research Authority (NHRA) and holds current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification.
His experience working with research teams, communities, regulators and national and international partners provides him with a strong practical understanding of ethical research conduct and participant protection.
As Chairperson, he leads the Committee's independent review and oversight of research involving human participants.
Dr Chipampe Lombe
Scientific Director — Macha Research Trust
Chipampe Lombe is a biotechnologist and Scientific Director at Macha Research Trust, with over 11 years of experience in biotechnology, biomedical research, university teaching and academic leadership.
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She serves as a scientific member of the MRT-IRB, contributing her expertise to the scientific and ethical review of research proposals.
Her experience in biotechnology and biomedical research provides a valuable scientific perspective when assessing research protocols for scientific merit, ethical considerations and participant safety.
Her experience in curriculum development and academic programmes also contributes to her understanding of research governance and institutional standards.
Dr Lombe holds a certificate in Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
Dr Mark Roth
Surgeon and Project Manager — Macha Mission Hospital
Mark Roth is a physician and surgeon affiliated with Macha Mission Hospital, where he serves as a surgeon and project manager.
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He is a scientific reviewer on the MRT-IRB and brings clinical and healthcare management experience to the Committee, particularly in relation to participant safety, patient care and the practical conduct of health research.
His experience supports the Committee in ensuring that research involving human participants meets appropriate scientific, clinical and ethical standards.
Dr Wisdom Kaongolo Mbanga
Senior Resident Medical Officer — Macha Mission Hospital
Wisdom Kaongolo Mbanga is a Senior Resident Medical Officer at Macha Mission Hospital in Choma District, Southern Province, with over 21 years of clinical experience.
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He has multidisciplinary training in clinical medicine, anaesthesia, human biology, medicine and surgery.
Dr Mbanga serves as a scientific member of the MRT-IRB and holds a certificate in research ethics. He is also registered with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
He brings extensive clinical experience and medical expertise to the ethical review of health research.
Mr Nkumbula Moyo
Epidemiologist — Macha Research Trust
Nkumbula Moyo is an Epidemiologist at Macha Research Trust and a member and scientific reviewer of the MRT-IRB.
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His academic training in clinical medicine, social sciences and epidemiology provides an interdisciplinary perspective on research ethics review.
He contributes expertise in study design, methodological rigour, risk-benefit assessment and participant safety.
His social science background also supports consideration of informed consent, vulnerability, community perspectives, cultural context and research acceptability.
Mr Moyo has completed research ethics training through the National Health Research Authority (NHRA) and holds current Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification.
Dr Kochelani Saili
Senior Entomologist — Macha Research Trust
Kochelani Saili is a medical entomologist with a PhD in Environmental Health and is a Postdoctoral Fellow with the University of Florida's Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL) and Macha Research Trust.
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At MRT, he serves as Senior Entomologist and is a scientific member of the MRT-IRB.
For the past 12 years, Dr Saili's research has focused on mosquito vector biology and ecology, with particular emphasis on malaria transmission.
His research interests include mosquito diversity, host associations, ecological factors, vector-control interventions and zoonotic disease transmission.
Dr Saili has co-authored more than 24 peer-reviewed publications.
Ms Rachael Matoomana
Community and Non-Scientific Representative
Rachael Matoomana is a non-scientist member of the MRT-IRB and is affiliated with a hospital ART clinic.
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She has over 22 years of experience working with vulnerable populations and on community-related issues.
Ms Matoomana contributes to the Committee's consideration of participant protection, informed consent, vulnerable populations and community acceptability.
She has completed research ethics training through the National Health Research Authority and holds a Good Clinical Practice certificate.
Pastor Demba Konayuma
Community Representative — Macha Girls Secondary School
Pastor Demba Konayuma is a non-scientist member of the MRT-IRB with experience in theology, education, religious studies, peacebuilding and cross-cultural engagement.
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Pastor Konayuma contributes a community-based perspective to ethical review, particularly regarding participants' values, beliefs, cultural contexts and lived experiences.
He contributes to Committee discussions on respect for participants, community values, vulnerability, informed consent and the potential social implications of research.
He has completed NHRA research ethics training and holds current Good Clinical Practice certification.
Mr Bowen Mooya
Legal Practitioner
Bowen Mooya is a legal practitioner and serves as a legal and non-scientist member of the MRT-IRB.
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He holds academic qualifications in law and project planning, management and evaluation.
He served as Magistrate-in-Charge at Macha Local Court for six years and has worked within the Zambian legal system since 2017.
His experience enables him to contribute legal and independent perspectives on participant rights, informed consent, confidentiality, legal and regulatory compliance and ethical considerations.
Mr Mooya has completed research ethics training through Macha Research Trust and holds a certificate in research ethics.
Mr Choolwe Mubambasu
Community Representative — Macha Central
Choolwe Mubambasu is a community representative from Macha Central and a member of the MRT-IRB with longstanding ties to the community.
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He works closely with the traditional leadership of Chief Macha and previously served as a Ward Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Choma.
With more than 33 years of experience in public service and community leadership, supported by training in law and public administration, he brings an understanding of local priorities and governance.
He contributes to consideration of participant protection, informed consent, community engagement and local research acceptability.
Mr Mubambasu has completed NHRA research ethics training and holds current GCP certification.
Mr Mukuma Lubinda
Senior GIS Data Management Coordinator — Macha Research Trust
Mukuma Lubinda is the Senior Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data Management Coordinator at Macha Research Trust.
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He holds academic qualifications in Natural Resources and Public Health and has over 10 years of experience in health research, data management and analysis, scientific writing, stakeholder engagement, community engagement and research ethics.
Mr Lubinda serves as a member and scientific reviewer of the MRT-IRB.
His GIS and data-management expertise supports review of data quality, privacy, confidentiality, data security and the potential identification of individuals or communities through location-based information.
He has completed Good Clinical Practice and Human Subject Protection training through NHRA and is registered as a health researcher in Zambia.
Pastor Taitai Lubinda
Community Representative — Simulangu Pentecostal Church
Pastor Taitai Lubinda is a non-scientist member of the MRT-IRB with over 15 years of experience in theology and an understanding of vulnerable groups, community perspectives and social and ethical considerations.
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Pastor Lubinda contributes a community-oriented and non-scientific perspective to the ethical review of research.
He contributes to discussions on respect for participants, vulnerable populations, informed consent, community values and the broader social and ethical implications of research.
He has completed NHRA research ethics training and holds current Good Clinical Practice certification.
Ms Brenester M. Hang'ombe
Nurse Tutor — Macha College of Nursing and Midwifery
Brenester M. Hang'ombe is a Nurse Tutor at Macha College of Nursing and Midwifery and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
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She has 15 years of clinical nursing experience and four years of experience as a nurse educator.
Her interests and experience include human health research, nursing education, evidence-based practice and healthcare quality improvement.
Her clinical practice, teaching, mentorship and research experience provide valuable expertise to the MRT-IRB.
She has training in gender-based violence and basic sign language, supporting consideration of participant vulnerability, inclusion, safeguarding and accessible communication.
Ms Hang'ombe has completed research ethics training.
Ms Oreen Kabuku Njamba
Secretary to the MRT-IRB — Macha Research Trust
Oreen Kabuku Njamba is Secretary to the MRT-IRB at Macha Research Trust and has over 14 years of professional experience supporting administrative and research-related activities.
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She has experience in research ethics administration, committee coordination and research documentation.
As Secretary, Ms Njamba supports communication with Committee members and researchers, preparation and maintenance of documentation, meeting coordination and management of Committee records.
Her work supports an organised, transparent, accountable and effective ethical review process.
Ms Njamba has completed NHRA research ethics training and holds current Good Clinical Practice certification.
Human Research Ethics Training
Access the Macha Research Trust Human Research Ethics Training programme.
Research Ethics Training
The training programme provides researchers and research staff with foundational knowledge of ethical principles and responsible conduct of research involving human participants.
Contact the MRT-IRB
For enquiries regarding ethical review, submissions or IRB procedures, please contact Macha Research Trust.