The CHRU Team

Senior management team

Clinical Research Site Coordinator

Betty Matome

Betty Matome has extensive Phase I-IV clinical trial research experience as both a study coordinator and a quality assurance officer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led a team of field workers to ensure the recruitment and retention of participants for the J&J Ensemble COVID-19 vaccine trial. She leads the Study Coordinator Department across all research networks and commercial/pharmaceutical studies. Matome is inspired by the improvement of treatment regimens for people in poor resource settings that scientific research has enabled. She strives to help those affected by infectious diseases and impact on standards of care.

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Other members

Ina de Jongh

Ina de Jongh is head of operations at CHRU and also holds the position of WITS HIV Research Group Clinical Trial Unit (WHRG CTU) coordinator, responsible for the liaison with grants staff at the National Institute of Health Division of AIDS (DAIDS). She has served CHRU as the operations and grants manager for over two decades. She has extensive experience in budget costing mechanisms which enable CHRU to determine recruitment rates, financial budget and cost effectiveness. De Jongh is also responsible for the annual reports of the grants. She is also experienced in managing USAID/PEPFAR and EU grants.

Coreen Barker

Coreen Barker is the Responsible Pharmacist and Pharmacist of Record at CHRU. She has over 25 years’ of experience in clinical research. She has been the Principal Pharmacist in various international studies. She is the sole proprietor of RightMed Pharmacy, and has established multiple pharmacies to support research and PEPFAR implementation activities. She has recruited and trained over 30 pharmacy staff, demonstrating her ability to build a skilled team. She has supported and guided pharmacists from both local and international research sites.

Vuyokazi Sharon Jezile

Under the stewardship of Vuyokazi Sharon Jezile, precision and excellence in clinical research data management at CHRU is ensured. An expert in research methodologies, she has a wealth of experience in Phase 1-IV clinical trials. She is committed to the highest standards of quality and compliance, ensuring that every data point tells a story of scientific rigour and transformative impact. Jezile implements state-of-the-art data management systems to ensure that CHRU’s operations are efficient, secure and ethical. She also prepares CHRU’s data operations for future research opportunities. She believes that data holds the potential to unlock breakthroughs in HIV, TB, COVID-19 and other opportunistic infections.

Iveshni Govender

when she joined CHRU as a research pharmacist. The high standards demanded by the strictly regulated research environment resonated with her work ethic, and she later joined CHRU’s Quality Assurance team. She has a passion for the principles of quality data and research ethics. Her team ensures that the clinical trials conducted at CHRU are aligned to the highest international standards and compliant with sponsor, GCP, ethics, regulatory and CHRU’s SOP requirements.

Amanda Ndala

Amanda Ndala holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from UNISA. Her responsibilities include supervising all administrative staff, ensuring a hygienic environment in the unit and procuring stationery, medical and laboratory goods and services. She is also co-chairperson of the Occupational Health and Safety committee.

Mashudu Phidza

Mashudu Phidza is experienced in clinical research and in engaging communities to secure and retain clinical research participants. Through her work, CHRU enjoys an average retention rate of 98%. She was also a team leader during the J&J Ensemble COVID-19 vaccine trial.