Francisco Becerra-Posada, MPH

Head, Project and Programmes

Mexico

Dr. Francisco Becerra-Posada is senior consultant for COHRED in Latin America, responsible for developing COHRED activities and partnerships in and with countries and institutions in Latin America to strengthen National Health Research Systems.
Born in Mexico City, he graduated as Medical Doctor from the School of Medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1981. In 1984, he got his Masters of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, (USA), with emphasis in planning and health services administration. During his career Francisco has been an international consultant for PAHO, WHO, USAID, CARE, CORAT-Africa and Save the Children-US, among others. In Mexico, he has held various positions, including Director General for the State of Morelos Health Services, coordinator of the Masters in Health Services Administration and of the Masters in Sciences in Health Systems at the National Institute of Public Health, and has worked in the private sector.
Francisco Becerra has published over 25 papers and has contributed to books on various topics and has been Principal Investigator in Mexico for two multi-country studies coordinated by WHO.

Gabriel Caires

Web for Development Analyst

Brazil

Gabriel Silva is a Network and Systems Analyst member of the HRWeb team. In 2009 he obtained a Bachelor in Computer Science and is currently completing his Master´s degree in Computer Networks and Security, at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Gabriel has worked as a System Analyst at Syst, developing the Metasys OS in partnership with Intel, also worked at Oi, one of the largest telephone and Internet providers in Brazil, at the IT Operation Center. Gabriel has also worked as researcher on many projects, such as the Spam Mining Project, developing new methods of Spam analysis and prevention in collaboration with Cert.br, the Brazilian National Computer Emergency Response Team. His areas of expertise are Web Development and Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Virtualization platforms / Cloud Computing, Fault Tolerant Systems, Open Source Solutions and IT Security.

Teresa Cullen

Administrative Assistant, Research for Health Africa

UK

After working with COHRED for four years, Teresa moved to join the Research for Health Africa (R4HA) team in October 2011. Her role provides administrative support to the Director of Programmes, Sylvia de Haan, and the R4HA team. With a background in communications, Teresa is using her experience to provide communications support to the R4HA programme to facilitate communication, learning and sharing between the project partners. Teresa is also involved in staff communications for The COHRED Group.

Database Organizer (Volunteer)

Italy

Arianna D’Amora has joint COHRED in November 2012 as volunteer database organizer.
She will be responsible to updating and managing all existing databases to ensure that they can be used efficiently for marketing purposes.
She has lived in London for six years where she has worked for OXFAM GB. She holds an Undergraduate Degree in Languages from the University l’Orientale in Italy with specialization in Arabic, English and Spanish languages and cultures. Also she has pursued a Master of Arts in International Liaison and Communications from the Westminster University of London.
She has travelled to Zambia to work as a community volunteer.

Sylvia de Haan, MSc, MPH

Director, Programmes

Netherlands

Sylvia is a health scientist. After graduating from Nijmegen University she worked for several years in the field of environmental and occupational health in the Netherlands and in Tanzania. She has been working for COHRED since 1998. Her areas of responsibility within COHRED mostly focused on working with partners in developing countries to develop projects to improve and strengthen national health research.

Marcelo Delgado

Web for Development Analyst

Brazil

Marcelo Delgado is a System Analyst now working with the Web for Development team. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in 2009. In his academic life, Marcelo developed research in the Business Intelligence area. He also worked at International Syst, as a Business Intelligence Analyst, and at large companies like Accenture, building a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for the Vale Mining Company. His areas of expertise are Web Development, Business Intelligence and Open Source Solutions.

Kathy Douglas, PhD

Senior Project Officer, Research for Health Africa

USA

Kathy is a health scientist. After graduating from Florida State University, she worked in private industry as an evaluation specialist. She then joined the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), where she worked in the field of chronic disease prevention and control to implement national behavioral risk factor surveillance systems targeted to adolescent, college student and adult populations. For five years, Kathy was seconded by CDC to the World Health Organization, where she managed a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit within the Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Department. At COHRED, Kathy is a Senior Project Officer working on the Research for Health Africa initiative to provide technical knowhow to the participating African countries in the creation of practical tools and methods to optimize their own governance and management of research and innovation as a key development strategy.

Danny Edwards

Policy Analyst

New Zealand

Danny Edwards joined COHRED in August 2011 as Policy Analyst, working with Louis Currat and the Global Forum team on the development of Forum 2012. Danny also works with COHRED’s R&D team. Danny is originally from Wellington, New Zealand. He completed his postgraduate education in Human Bioethics at Monash University, Melbourne, before joining the World Health Organisation’s Ethics, Trade and Human Rights unit through a fellowship in 2007. During that time Danny collaborated with COHRED on the Global Forum for Bioethics in Research, following which he moved to London. While in London Danny worked as a Senior Policy Analyst at two Government Agencies; first leading on a review of the genetic testing of human embryos at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Agency, before moving to a role leading on policy on the relationships between intellectual property, trade, development and public health at the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office.

Monica Gazzetta

Financial Officer

Austria/Switzerland

Monica is Financial Officer, responsible for the bookkeeping and financial aspects of COHRED’s business. Her duties include bookkeeping, financial reporting, budget, audit and related tasks. She has been working at COHRED since January 2010. Monica has come to COHRED to fulfill her interest in working with developing countries, after several years serving in the accounting and human resources departments of several companies in Geneva in the fields of insurance and transport. She studied Economics at the Geneva University, receiving her degree in Commercial and Industrial Sciences in 1991. She was born in Geneva and spent most of her time in Switzerland and France.

Hassen Ghannem MD, MSc

Senior Consultant

Tunisia

Dr Hassen Ghannem is a senior consultant for COHRED in North Africa and the Middle East. He is currently Professor of Community Medicine and Head of the Department of Epidemiology at the University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia. Dr Ghannem is a Medical Doctor graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Tunisia. He holds a Masters degree in Community Medicine and Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine of Montreal University, Canada (1987) and is currently a member of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Advisory Committee on Health Research.In 1999 Dr Ghannem was the Regional Adviser acting for non-communicable diseases in WHO/EMRO; he has been a consultant for WHO on chronic disease prevention and control in low and middle income countries. He has also been a member of AfriHealth where he was responsible for mapping public health schools in North Africa, as part of an Africa-wide mapping project. He is currently a member of the Steering Committee of the Initiative to Strengthen Health Research Capacity in Africa: ISHReCA.His career interests include the study of epidemiologic transition and its consequences in terms of chronic disease extension in Tunisia and the study of Health Research capacity assessment and strengthening in developing countries. He has published more than 50 peer reviewed scientific papers mainly focused on epidemiologic transition and extension of cardiovascular disease risk factors in Tunisia.

Prof Carel IJsselmuiden, MD, MPH, FFCH(SA)

Executive Director, The COHRED Group

South Africa

Carel is a public health physician and epidemiologist. He has worked in rural medicine, peri-urban and urban health care and environmental health services, as well as in academic public health education and research ethics training. He has also published in various areas in applied research and public health. Carel was the founding Director of the University of Pretoria’s School of Health Systems and Public Health until his appointment as COHRED Director in January 2004. Prof. IJsselmuiden, as COHRED Director, is ex-offico member of the Board.

Personal Assistant

Switzerland

Florine Jobin joined COHRED in October 2011 as the Personal Assistant to COHRED’s Director, Carel IJsselmuiden. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Director’s office and provides him with administrative support. She also conducts background research for the office. Florine holds a Diploma and a Masters degree in Anthropology from the Universities of Geneva and Neuchatel respectively. She has also pursued a postgraduate course in ‘African societies and development’ in Spain. She has experiences in social sciences research and events management and organisation – with particular focus on health sector.

Development Director

UK/India

Sonali has a background in public health and has worked extensively in the area of health equity. In her previous roles as a professional officer and consultant at the World Health Organization, Sonali worked on integrating gender into public health programmes and policy with a focus on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and surveillance, gender-based violence and reproductive and sexual health. Sonali also has knowledge and experience in the areas of knowledge translation, research ethics, health and human rights and human resources for health. Sonali has an MSc in gender and development from the London School of Economics and a PhD in public health and policy from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where her doctoral research was in the field of medical sociology and examined the professional identity and careers of nurses working in India. Sonali joined COHRED in November 2011 to work on the development of Forum 2012 and the theme on partnerships and networking.

Head of Communications

Uganda

Andrew Kanyegirire is a communication for development (C4D) specialist. Andrew joined COHRED as Head of Communications in November 2011. Prior to joining COHRED he led the communications unit at the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in South Africa. As a a media practitioner, he has experiences as a business editor at The New Vision in Kampala, Uganda. His work has also appeared in publications in East and Southern Africa and the UK. He has also done research at the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa. His areas of interest include: C4D, corporate communications, new media, journalism and public relations. Andrew holds a PhD in Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University, South Africa.

Mary Kasule, MPH, MSc (Applied Microbiology) & PGD International Research Ethics

MARC Senior Research Officer Mapping Drug Regulatory Authorities and Research Ethics Committees in Africa on HRWeb/MARC Web

Uganda

Mary was born in Uganda and has worked as Principal Research Officer in the Mininistry of Health Botswana where she served as the secretary to the Botswana National Ethics Committee. She also serves as a member of the University of Botswana IRB. In 2010, she obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in International Research Ethics from the University of Capetown, through the IRENSA program. Her interest in research ethics mainly focuses on informed consent which forms part of her PhD study on ‘parental consent for pediatric clinical trials’. She has contributed to the strengthening of ethics capacity in Botswana by establishment of new Institutional Review Boards and Community Advisory Boards. In addition she has established collaborative links with the University Of Pennsylvania, University of Botswana, Havard School of Public Health, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve cross-national IRB-review of international protocols for research conducted in Botswana and increase the cultural awareness. Mary is a Project Coordinator of an EDCTP project granted to Botswana to strengthen ethics capacity and has participated in the drafting of the Botswana Human Research Bill, Standard Operating Procedures and Research Guidelines.

Bruno Lacerda Coelho

Manager, Web for Development

Brazil

Bruno is a Systems Analyst. He has more than 9 years experience in designing new IT solutions to improve business efficiency and productivity. He served as Consultant at the Brazilian Ministry of Health where he helped expand the Department of Science and Technology’s information systems, data collection and validation processes. He has a background in data modeler, software engineering and implementing information systems using a variety of technologies.

Pelthia Makgatho

Administrative Assistant

South Africa

Pelthia Makgatho, a South African residing in Switzerland, joined the COHRED Group as Administrative Assistant on 1 June 2011. She brings vast experience in information management through her previous work at the World Health Organization, where she used to organize the web and media activities for outbreak response in major programmes such as Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR) and the Global Influenza Programme (GIP). She also served as an assistant to the communications team in her last role within the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). She has worked with the WHO Office of the Governing Bodies during yearly events, the World Health Assembly and Executive Board meeting. Pelthia has strong IT skills, holds a diploma in creative writing and is certified in accountancy, billing and file management.

Debbie Marais, MA (Research Psychology), MA (Counselling Psychology)

Research & Development Officer

South Africa

Debbie joined the Research and Development (R&D) group at COHRED in 2010. The two major objectives of COHRED’s R&D work include increasing understandings of how research for health can and does contribute to improving health, equity and development, and, secondly, how we can translate such understanding in practical tools, approaches and methods that low- and middle-income countries can use to optimise the health and economic benefits of research for health. Debbie’s particular professional interests also focus on mental health research capacity and innovation as part of national research systems, which also forms part of her PhD research. Debbie holds a Masters degree by dissertation in psychology and a second Masters degree and qualification in counselling psychology. She has extensive experience in research project management and coordination, particularly in the field of health research. She has had further experience working on various research and academic programmes in the School of Psychology at UKZN. Debbie continues to work as a psychologist in the mental health field in South Africa.

Scotti McLaren, CPA

Finance Manager

USA

Scotti joined COHRED in September 2012 as the Finance Manager. Following eleven years in the private sector, Scotti has spent the past eight years with MSF: in finance positions the field and in the UK, in the Emergency Unit of MSF Spain, and most recently as the International Finance Senior Office in Geneva. She brings to COHRED solid technical experience and knowledge in the financial management of Non-Governmental Organisations. Her experiences have led her to practice as well throughout Africa and Europe, the USA and Australia. Scotti holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and she is also licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

Boitumelo Mokgatla-Moipolai

Head of COHRED Africa

Botswana

COHRED Africa

Boi is currently the Head of COHRED Africa office. She has worked at COHRED as a Senior Research Fellow – responsible for managing the MARC (Mapping of African Research Ethics and Medicines Regulatory Capacity; www.researchethicsweb.org) project, prior to which she served as a clinician at Botswana’s main referral hospital. She was awarded the SARETI (South African Research Ethics Training Initiative) Masters scholarship in 2008 and the best scholar prize in 2009. Besides her extensive work within the African Research ethics landscape, Boi has also made noteworthy contributions in the health research ethics review capacity in Botswana.

Gabriela Montorzi, MA, PhD

Programme Manager

Argentina

Dr. Gabriela Montorzi is Programme Manager at COHRED. She is responsible for ensuring the implementation of technical support activities aimed at strengthening research and innovation systems in low and middle income countries. Such activities include, among others, governance, management and coordination to advance national research oversight; priority setting to provide stakeholder input into the establishment of research agendas; and policy development to provide vision for national research development.

Before that she was a Process Officer at COHRED, responsible for organisational management including the setting and follow-up of workflow processes; a fellow at the World Health Organisation’s Ethics Review Committee, involved in the evaluation and analysis of research ethics review processes; and a cardiovascular research scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, involved in interdisciplinary research.

Gabriela holds a PhD in Life Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – Switzerland, an MA in Bioethics and Law from the University of Barcelona – Spain, and a BA in Biology from San Luis University – Argentina.

Rafael Sahb

Web for Development Analyst

Brazil

Rafael Sahb is a member of the HRWeb team, he will support the continued development of HRWeb, COHRED’s website and other information technology projects.
He is currently completing his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Rafael has worked as web developer for large organizations and for academic institutions in Brazil, including 5Clicks and Free Software Lab at UFMG. His areas of expertise are Server-side/Client-side Development, Web Standards, Search Engine Optimization, Free Software Solutions, Social Media Tools and IT Security.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Switzerland / UK

Emanuel is a monitoring and evaluation specialist. He currently supports COHRED in developing monitoring and evaluation strategies and systems with the Research for Health Africa team.
Prior to joining COHRED Emanuel worked on a series of humanitarian and development projects such as disaster relief, working with farming cooperatives, water and sanitation, developing small business initiatives, construction, microfinance, and developing humanitarian training courses. Emanuel has worked for ACTED, Charities Advisory Trust, DevEd, Health Poverty Action, People’s Watch, Shelter Centre, UNHCR, UNRISD and WaterAid in Africa, Europe and South and Central Asia.
Emanuel has an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies in International Studies and Diplomacy and an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance from Fordham University.

Director, Events

Netherlands

Laurence joined COHRED in January 2012 as the Director for Events with the responsibility of organising Forum 2012. She has held related senior positions in associations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and service-oriented organisations. She comes to COHRED with an extensive track record in management, communication and finances in the healthcare sector. Her experiences have led her to manage projects in Europe, Americas, Australasia and Africa. These experiences have enabled her to contribute to the strategic direction, operational execution and financial success of the organisations that she has worked with. Laurence holds and MBA in International Marketing and she is also an inspiring and motivating team leader with a result-oriented management style. She is an engaging communicator and partnership builder with a strong cultural sensitivity towards working with stakeholders of various professional and geographic backgrounds.

Administrative Assistant (Volunteer)

UK

Ralph joined COHRED in October 2012 as a volunteer administrative assistant. He is a student a Geneva University where he is completing a degree in International Relations. Before joining COHRED he trained as a Junior Associate at Civitatis International, a supranational think-tank based in London.
Ralph is passionate about international affairs, politics and history. In his spare time he likes to ski, read and travel.