Promoting the health and quality of life of the peoples of Africa through research and training in biomedicine.
The Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) is a not-for-profit research and training institution dedicated to building health research capacity in Zimbabwe and across Southern Africa. Our mission is to promote the health and quality of life of the peoples of Africa through research and training in the field of biomedicine.
Founded in 1995 and registered under Section 22 of the Companies Act (Reg. No. 1676/95), BRTI was established as a totally independent institution with no direct funding from any governmental or non-governmental agency. This independence enables the institute to set policies and agendas compatible with its mission.
The institute emphasises the need to establish and maintain the highest levels of quality, professionalism, ethical standards, and efficiency in all its activities.
Conducting internationally funded studies in HIV, TB, malaria, clinical trials, and health systems research since 1995 — more than 80 studies to date.
Building capacity through CREATE and SOFAR fellowships, TESA programmes, workshops, and internships that develop the next generation of African health researchers.
ISO 15189-accredited laboratories providing molecular diagnostics, viral load testing, TB diagnostics, and research support services.
Since 1995
Three decades of independent biomedical research and training in Zimbabwe.
The Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI) was founded in 1995 and registered in Zimbabwe as a non-profit making company. Uniquely in Africa, BRTI was established as a totally independent institution with no direct funding from any governmental or non-governmental agency, enabling sole responsibility for setting policies and agendas compatible with its mission.
The institute was co-founded by Professor Peter Mason, who served as its long-time Director-General until his retirement. From its inception, BRTI was designed as a sustainable project administered directly by scientists and managers working principally within Southern Africa.
Over the past three decades, BRTI has been responsible for the conduct of more than 80 internationally funded research studies. These studies have received funding from the Wellcome Trust, the European Community, EDCTP, NIH, CDC, the Kellogg Foundation, UK DFID, WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, the Global Fund, and many other partners.
Today, BRTI operates five major divisions — Administration, Finance, Research and Training, Laboratory, and Projects — and collaborates with the University of Zimbabwe, Stanford University, Africa University, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care on research, training, and service delivery programmes across Zimbabwe.
BRTI founded and registered as a non-profit institution in Zimbabwe.
Expansion of HIV and TB research portfolio with Wellcome Trust and NIH partnerships.
ISO 15189 laboratory accreditation and launch of major clinical trials including CHIEDZA.
50+ active projects, CREATE, SOFAR, and TESA fellowship programmes, and national laboratory systems strengthening.
People
Experienced scientists and administrators driving research excellence at BRTI.
Director General
As Director-General of BRTI, Dr. Munyati oversees overall leadership, direction, and day-to-day activities of the institute. She has over 20 years of experience in research administration and project management, having administered fellowships and coordinated training grants for capacity building to support postgraduate training across Africa.
Laboratory Director
Professor Gwanzura directs BRTI's laboratory operations, overseeing ISO 15189 accreditation, quality assurance programmes, and molecular diagnostics services across the institute's laboratory network.
Senior Research Scientist
Professor Zijenah is a leading immunologist whose research focuses on HIV immunology, co-infections, and translational biomedical research. She has contributed extensively to BRTI's clinical trials and laboratory science programmes.
Laboratory Systems Strengthening Lead
Mr. Vere has over 18 years of professional experience in clinical laboratory, public health, and health research practice in Zimbabwe and Botswana. He has been program lead for PEPFAR-supported laboratory systems strengthening programmes for over 7 years.
TB Programme Expert
Dr. Matambo is a public health specialist and accomplished researcher with over 25 years of experience in public health, project management, and research. He leads BRTI's tuberculosis research and programme activities.
Oversight
Independent governance ensuring ethical standards, transparency, and research integrity.
BRTI operates as an independent organization with its own structure and philosophy as determined by a Board of Directors. Board members are drawn from the scientific, business, and philanthropic communities of Zimbabwe, providing oversight and strategic direction for the institute.
The Board ensures that BRTI maintains the highest levels of quality, professionalism, ethical standards, and efficiency in all its activities. The institute publishes its work in a spirit of openness and transparency.
BRTI maintains an Institutional Review Board (IRB) that reviews all research conducted through the institute. External investigators not employed by BRTI may request access to the IRB to conduct studies, subject to established policies and procedures. Ethics and IRB →
Five major divisions operate within BRTI:
Collaboration
BRTI collaborates with leading international agencies, universities, and funders to advance biomedical research and strengthen health systems across Africa.
Partner with an independent institute advancing health research, training, and laboratory science across Africa.