About Us

Institutional Scientific and Ethical Review Committee (ISERC), is an institutional review board jointly constituted by Moi University College of Health Sciences (MU/CHS) and Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital (MTRH). ISERC derives its mandate from the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI). ISERC  serves as an independent and competent body to review, evaluate and decide on the scientific and ethical merits of research proposals. It is committed to ensuring and guaranteeing the rights, dignity, safety and protection of actual or potential individuals and communities who participate in research. ISERC’s mandate is to:
– Review and approve research proposals
– Provide leadership in research and development.
– Facilitate sourcing and coordinate approval of research grants/funds
– Coordinate the dissemination and publicity of research information and findings


ISERCs Role

Institutional Scientific and Ethical Review Committee (ISERC), hereinafter called The Committee, were constituted jointly by Moi University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS) and Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital (MTRH). The Committee shall serve as the regulatory entity for research at the MUCHS and MTRH and as an independent representative and competent body to review, evaluate and decide on the scientific and ethical merits of research proposals. It is committed to ensuring and guaranteeing the rights, dignity, safety and protection of actual or potential individuals and communities who participate in research.  The Committee governs health research as guided by applicable laws and regulations of the Kenyan and other relevant international bodies.  The Committee reviews and approves research proposals for and on behalf of the National Council for Science and Technology which is the legal entity authorized to review and approve research in Kenya under Cap 250 of the Laws of Kenya. The Committee shall serve as the regulatory entity for research at the MUCHS and MTRH and as an independent representative and competent body to review, evaluate and decide on the scientific and ethical merits of research proposals. It is committed to ensuring and guaranteeing the rights, dignity, safety and protection of actual or potential individuals and communities who participate in research.  The Committee governs health research as guided by applicable laws and regulations of the Kenyan and other relevant international bodies.  The Committee reviews and approves research proposals for and on behalf of the Science, Technology and Innovation Act, 2013.

Roles & Resonsibilities

Role

Responsibilities

Chairperson

Appointed by the Institutional Authority; provides overall leadership and decision-making authority.

Deputy Chairperson

Assumes Chairperson duties in their absence; supports governance and continuity.

Secretary / Member Secretary

Coordinates committee operations, communications, and records.

Human Participant Administrator (HPA)

Manages protocol submissions, tracking, and post-approval monitoring.

Medical Specialists

Minimum two: one clinician and one allied health professional.

Non-Medical Scientist

Provides scientific expertise in relevant research disciplines.

Legal Expert / Ethicist

Provides guidance on legal and ethical dimensions of research.

Statistician / Epidemiologist

Provides expertise in research design and data analysis.

Lay Member / Community Representative

Non-scientific, non-institutional community voice; required for quorum.

Pharmacologist / Clinical Pharmacist

Expertise in drug and product safety (required for clinical trials).

Religious / Cultural Representative

Provides perspective on cultural and religious dimensions of research.


Committee Members

 

Name

Qualifications

Roles

Dr. P. Saula 

MBChB, MMed

(Pediatric surgery 

Chairman 

Dr. E. Kwobah

MBChB, MMed

(Psychiatric)

Deputy Chairman 

Mr. B. Milimo BSN,MSN

BSN,MSN

Deputy Secretary 

Dr. B. Macharia

MBChB, MMed

(pathology) 

Member

Ass. Prof. S. Goodrich 

MD (Infectious disease)

Member

Prof. D. Ayuku

PHD (Behavioral Science) 

Member 

Dr. V. Naanyu 

PHD (Behavioral Science 

Member 

Dr. T. Andale 

MBChB, MMed

(internal medicine) 

Member 

Dr. A. Mwangi 

PHD -Biostatistics

Member 

10 

Prof. E. Were 

MBChB, MMed (Obs/Gyn) 

Member 

11 

Dr. F. Yego 

PHD (Public Health)

Member 

12 

Dr. S. Keino 

PHD (Nutrition) 

Member 

13 

Mrs. M. Cheptinga 

LLB, LLM

Member (Legal

Officer) 

14 

Mr. F. Meres

Retired teacher 

Community

representative

15 

Dr. J. Kiplagat 

BSc. EVH; MPH, (Epidemiology) PHD (Public Health)

Member

16 

Dr. O. Lukandu 

MBChB, MMed

(Dentistry)

Member 

17 

Dr. K. Magutah 

MSN, Msc. Medical Physiology, PHD (Medical Physiology)

Member 

18 

Rev. Dr.  J. K. Katwa 

Theology, Msc.

International Health Ethics PHD (Medical education)

Member 

19 

Mr. T. Tarus

BSN, MSN, MPH

Member