International Research Ethics Students

Lucy Jepkemei Chebungei joined Kenya Medical Training College Lodwar campus in 2002 as a nurse trainer. In 2004, she received a post graduate certificate in Medical Education. Then in 2006, she was transferred from Lodwar MTC to Eldoret MTC. In 2010, she was granted a bachelor degree in Sociology from Moi University.

Linah Jepkoech Chesir proceeded to the Kenya Medical Training College in 1995 and graduated with a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery in 1998. Later in 2003 – 2004, she went back to pursue a higher diploma in clinical medicine-pediatrics in the same institution. She also pursued a Bachelors Degree in Social Studies (Sociology) at Moi University of which she graduated in 2010. She has just completed a diploma course on Bible Basics and Discipleship at Grace Bible College and will graduate on December, 2011. She was employed in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in 2001-2002 on locum basis, then confirmed and employed as a clinical officer. She has worked in various departments like Casualty, maternal and child health (MCH), Sexually Transmitted Infections (S.T.I.) clinic and currently at the pediatrics outpatient department where she has been for the last seven years. She offers part time lectures on pediatrics and behavioral science at the Kenya Medical Training College, Eldoret Branch, in the department of clinical medicine.

Jimmy Daruwala did his undergraduate work at Wabash College (Biology) and at IUPUI (Philosophy & Religious Studies). Before coming to IUPUI, he worked in the pharmaceutical industry serving in various capacities related to clinical trials operations. Jimmy was awarded the IUPUI Medical Humanities – Health Studies Essay Award in 2011. In addition, he was awarded a graduate assistantship at the Indiana University Center for Bioethics for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Eunice Karanja Kamaara (Moi U) is Associate Professor/Researcher of Religious Studies at Moi University and International Affiliate of Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI). Her research interest is interdisciplinary: theological, ethical, medical-anthropological and gender approaches to contemporary challenges. She has consulted for organizations such as World Bank, UNFPA, World Council of Churches, USAID, and has authored and co-authored many books among them Gender, Youth Sexuality and HIV/AIDS (2005), Science, Faith and New technologies, Transforming Life, (2006), and Church Communities Confronting HIV and AIDS (2010).

Rev. Joseph K. Katwa (Moi U) received his BSc from Lee University in 2006. He then proceeded to University of Wales Lampeter were he graduated with MA in 2009. In 2008, he was appointed as a member of the Institutional Research Ethics Committee at the Moi University and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. That gave him the desire to study research ethics to enable him execute his responsibility of ensuring that human research participants are protected. He hopes the MHSc will help him develop a career in the field of research and advocacy of protecting human subjects.

Cherwon Kennedy Kiptoo (Moi U) joined the Dawn to Dusk program in 2005 where he pursued HIV/AIDS management and Disaster Management for 6 months. He then enrolled in a Degree program at the Moi University in the School of Arts and Social Sciences: Department of Sociology and Psychology where he specialized in Psychology and obtained a BA degree in Social Studies, Psychology, Second Class Honors (Lower Division). Currently, he is pursuing Masters of Science in International Research Ethics at Moi University in the School of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Sciences. His interest in this course of study has been influenced by his inner desire to understand human beings and my incorporate his Psychology background. He is convinced that this course of study in Research Ethics will enable him to acquire knowledge of human beings and to oversee research being done ethically for promotion of individual autonomy.

Stephen Maina Macharia (Moi U) was admitted in 2010. However, he has deferred for a year and will begin his coursework in the Fall of 2011. He graduated with an undergraduate degree from Moi University in the School of Information Sciences where he pursued a degree in the Archives and Records Management option. He graduated in December 2007. He was a Health Records and Information Officer from 2007 – 2008 where he was responsible for building record appraisal and disposition schedules for the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. He then became a Research Assistant for the CDC Records Study where he evaluated a scalable model for electronic health records (EHRs) in resource limited settings - information gathered from patients, applied at critical points in the interactions of patients and health care providers, to improve the quality and cost - effectiveness of health care. He postponed enrollment in the MSc program when he became the Study Coordinator for CARE + Kenya: Computerized Counseling to Promote Positive Prevention and HIV Health in Kenya Localize ‘CARE+ Kenya’ into Kiswahili and conduct a RCT (n=250) HIV-positive adults in western Kenya, 9 month follow-up. He is responsible for conducting time-motion analysis, transmission dynamics modeling, and establish cost-effectiveness of this computerize counseling intervention. This project is NIH funded and is based at Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH).

Catherine Jebet Matetai is currently working in the Psychological Counseling Department, as a psychological counselor at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Rift valley Province in Kenya. She started working immediately after graduating her bachelor’s degree (2009) and is still in that position to date. In the job, she counsels adolescents who are facing teenage crisis and developmental issues, she also counsels families that are going through stressful moments and conflicts through group counseling, suicidal attempts victims, and gender based violence survivors as well as marital counseling. Catherine has also undergone an in job training in cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological assessment and testing which helps her when dealing with clients who are diagnosed with psychological disorders such as conversion disorders mainly in children and anxiety disorders in adults. Apart from being a counselor Catherine is currently in a leadership position as the deputy head of the psychological counseling department. She has also participated in the development of a Higher National Diploma in Medical Health Counseling training programme at the MTRH training center that is set to commence in March 2012. Catherine has also participated in the development of a research proposal in the department focusing on ‘’coping strategies by staff at MTRH experiencing burnout syndrome”. The proposal is yet to be approved by IREC. Her interest in research ethics and participation in research developed after receiving her undergraduate degree in Community Psychology from Moi University in 2008 where she carried out an academic research on gender, work life balance and job satisfaction. In her undergraduate she was able to acquire basic research and statistics. Catherine has specific interest in Research ethics as this will help her understand the risks that may affect participants/subjects and how this participant can be protected from being vulnerable in any study. She is currently pursuing the Msc. International Health Research Ethics to build a strong research foundation which will enrich her own research. However she is also interested in behavior change in adolescents and psychological disorders in children which will be her focus in research. Apart from acquiring knowledge she would also like to advance her studies to PhD level and inspire others and doing a masters degree will be her stepping stone.

James Lumumba Ndengah has a background in community development and an advanced awareness of social issues. He has experience working in the NGO/Public sector. He received a BA from Moi University where he majored in Sociology. He has served as the Deputy Officer-in-Charge for the Medical Education Advisory Secretariat (MEAC) for Students/Lecturers and the Community Based Education and Service(s) (COBES) Committee Secretary. He has also served as the Presiding Officer for the Electoral Commission of Kenya National General Elections and E.C.K. National General Elections.

David Nderitu (Moi U) pursued a diploma in Philosophy and Religious studies from Consolata Institute of Philosophy in Nairobi, Kenya between 2003 and 2006. He also holds a Baccalaureate in philosophy from Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome through Consolata Institute of Philosophy which is an affiliate institution (2003 - 2006). He has worked as an untrained teacher at Good Samaritan High School, Nairobi, Kenya between February 2007 and August 2008 where he taught History & CRE. He enrolled in the Master of Philosophy in Philosophy degree at Moi University in Eldoret in 2008 . He developed a keen interest in research while pursuing graduate studies at Moi University. During his studies at the higher level, he had been exposed to Ethics as one of the main branches of Philosophy hence his interest in the International Research Ethics. He also worked as a Teaching Assistant at Moi University between January, 2010 and May, 2010. He is inspired by Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher whose approach to knowledge was to pursue a phenomenon relentlessly until its real nature is established; this is the true spirit of research. He aspires to complete this course and be an ambassador for ethical research at all levels, i.e. institutional, national and international level.

Jennifer Wambugha Nyariki-Moronge obtained her Bachelor of Laws from Moi University Faculty of law, Eldoret- Kenya in 2005, and is currently pursuing a Masters in International Health Research Ethics, from Moi University School of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Eldoret-Kenya. In 2001, she worked briefly as a Customer Care Executive at MFI office solutions. In 2008, she was employed at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as a Health Administrative Officer in the Office of the Deputy Director for Clinical Services where she served until February 2011. She joined the Institutional Research and Ethics Committee (IREC), Moi IRB in March 2011, as the Human Subjects Administrator, where she serves to date. Throughout her professional career, she has acquired numerous skills and responsibilities which inter alia include Performance Contract Preparation and Reporting, Internal Auditing for Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems, Budget Preparation and reporting, review and approval of research proposals, providing research guidelines to researchers, developing and maintaining an institutional research database, Secretary Gender Mainstreaming Committee- Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Her passion for safeguarding the rights of human beings has since increased with specific consideration for human research participants; hence her interest in further understanding ethical issues involving human beings with focus to the contemporary and emerging issues of International Research. Her interests include: ethical Issues involving human research participants i.e. safeguarding the dignity, rights and well being of all study participants and communities; administration and management of public institutions, human rights for women and children, scholarly and leisure reading; composing and performing musical works and art appreciation.

Pius Wasike Odekeh (Moi U) joined St. Mary's Senior Seminary Molo in 1992 where he pursued Religious Spirituality for 1 year. On completion, he was promoted to St. Augustine's Senior Seminary Mabanga in Bungoma where he studied from 1993 to 1994 obtaining a Certificate in Philosophy and Religious Studies. He then proceeded to St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary Nairobi from 1995 to 1997 to study Diploma in Theology. Between 2005 and 2009, he was enrolled in a degree program at Moi University in the School of Arts and Social Sciences in the Department of Anthropology. He specialized in Anthropology where he obtained Second Class Honors (Upper Division) Degree in Anthropology. His interest in the MHSc has been influenced by his background in Philosophical Ethics which he studied in the seminary as well as a Medical Anthropology course at undergraduate level. He is convinced that this course of Research Ethics would enable him to acquire knowledge for participating in research as well as providing oversight to ensure ethical promotion, respect for persons, and the proper evaluation regarding risks and benefits to research participants while heeding the principle of justice. The human dignity is what he intends to uphold at all levels and at whatever cost.

Ombui Samuel Onchari graduated in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Chemistry from Moi University. He has also received certificates in Computer Applications from the Keroka Technical Training Institute and has worked as a lab technician at Nyanchwa Technical Institute and as an English teacher at Keginga High School.

Albert Juma Owuor (Moi U) attended St. Mary's Yala where he sat for Kenya Certificate of Advanced Education (K.A.C.E.) in 1989. He thereafter studied for a diploma in philosophy and religion in Christ the King Major Seminary in Nyeri between 1991 and 1998. From 1999 – 2006 he was involved in pastoral work in the Catholic Diocese of Bungoma. Having harbored an ambition for further studies, he joined Moi University for his undergraduate studies in the School of Arts and Social Sciences, pursuing a degree in philosophy between 2006 and 2009. He graduated in December 2009: B.A Social Studies in Philosophy and First Class Honors. He enrolled in the MHSc in 2010.

Zennah Jepchirchir Rugut received a certificate in social work from the Kobujoi Social Development Institute in 2000. In 2001, she joined Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where she worked as a social worker. She received a diploma in 2003 from the Kenya Institute of Social Work and Welfare. In 2009, she received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Moi University with second class honors (upper division). Currently she is perusing her Masters of Science in International Health Research Ethics. As a social worker she participated in the implementation of Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) program. During that period she saw the enrolment of mothers infected with HIV to the program. She also participated in the couple HIV counseling and testing partners in prevention study (PIPS). In 2010 she worked with the Regional Blood Transfusion Service (Eldoret)where her major work is counseling of donors .She has played a major role in donor notification, which targets students of higher institution. Her interest in MSC HRE is to develop a career in research as part of her professional practice.

Prof. Dr. Naomi L. Shitemi (Moi U) has served as co-investigator in a collaborative research project that sought to investigate the Role of Traditional/Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Management of HIV & AIDS in Kenya whose goal was to understand the magnitude, roles and the uses of Traditional Medicine/CAM in the Prevention and Management of HIV & AIDS in Western Kenya (Moi University, IUPUI & University of Missouri). She is the MU Coordinator to the AfriQ’Units, an Edulink-funded QA project on Strengthening Cooperation with Third World Countries in the Field of Higher Education, “Sustainable Quality Culture in East African Institutions through Centralised Units” whose goal is to strengthen institutional capacity in East African Universities in support to policy, management and planning at national and regional level. She further engages with matters of Higher education development, inquiry, dialogue, capacity building, training, and human resource development including Faculty Management, Quality Assurance, Strategic Planning, and Management through internationally funded projects such as the DAAD-DIES programme. She is a member of the MRCI Steering committee, a project of the Association of African Universities targeting revitalization of Higher Education in Africa funded by the DFID. Shitemi is a member of the Peer review team of the Commission for Higher Education, Kenya. She is a Professor of Language Use, Communication and Translation with English and Kiswahili as working languages and is a member of the Social Sciences Research Network that brings together IUPUI and Moi University. Because of her interest in critical discourse analysis as part of inquiry into language use and engagement in international research, Shitemi felt inspired to pursue the MHSc in International Health Research Ethics in order to enhance her grounding in the subject.

Jackline Sitienei is an Assistant lecturer in department of Health Policy and Management, school of Public Health, Moi University, Town campus. Jackline also works as a consultant in Facility Core, Primary Health Care program, USAID-AMPATH partnership. Jackline is a holder of Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from University of Eastern Africa Baraton, and a Master of Public Health degree from University of New South Wales Australia. Jackline has a lot of experience in management in health care facilities and HIV/AIDS programs. Previously Jackline has worked a nurse Manager in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Assistant Program Manager, AMPATH, and was in charge of clinical services in over 23 sites and 23 satellites, reporting to program manager. Jackline undertakes other responsibilities in the school. Jackline has alot of interest in health systems research and Ethical issues in research. Jackline has had three papers presented in international conferences and a paper published in the East African Medical Journal, in collaboration with colleagues. In the year 2010/2011 with, colleagues, we were awarded a small research grant, by the Moi University Research and Extension Office. In September 1992 she joined Kenya Medical Training College Mombassa to pursue a diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing for 3 ½ yrs where she graduated in 1996. She was then employed by the ministry of health and posted to Koibatek district hospital in April of the same year.

Edye Taylor (IUPUI) is a licensed attorney with an international human rights background who has worked for Indiana University since November 2008. She previously worked for numerous human rights-focused NGOs in England, Belgium, and Zambia, as well as presented twice to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, both in New York and Switzerland, all as a part of her education and dedication to international human rights. At IU, she has worked at the human subject offices on both the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses, the Indianapolis Grant Services office, and now in the Clinical Research Compliance Office aiding in quality assurance matters. In addition, she is pursuing her Masters in Philosophy with a concentration in International Research Ethics, and is the program manager for a National Institute of Health one year grant to aid in creating a joint international institutional review board (IRB) in conjunction with our existing IU-Moi/Kenya partnership and the IU Center for Bioethics. She hopes to utilize the Masters degree to harmonize her current work interests with her life-long pursuit of international human rights concerns, adding yet another dimension to her education and employability.

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