Our Team

The People Behind
the Mission.

Passionate researchers, innovators, and community champions — united by a vision for rural Malawi.

Who We Are

Youth. Research. Impact.

CHIMKA Research Partners is powered by a multidisciplinary team spanning renewable energy, agricultural economics, land & water systems, AI, and communications — united by a commitment to evidence-based rural development across Malawi.

Our researchers hold qualifications from institutions in Malawi, the UK, South Africa, and Taiwan, combining international knowledge with deep local expertise to design solutions that work on the ground.

7
Team Members
5
Disciplines
6+
Universities Represented
4
Countries of Study
Leadership

Executive & Senior Team

Faith Mbonongo Banda
Leadership

Faith Mbonongo Banda

Managing Partner
Doctoral Researcher (Loughborough University, UK) · MSc Renewable Energy (University of Strathclyde, UK)

Faith leads CHIMKA as Managing Partner.

Renewable Energy Strategy Leadership
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Chisomo Mkwanda
Leadership

Chisomo Mkwanda

Head of Research & Operations
Doctoral Researcher (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK) · MA Economics (National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan)

Chisomo oversees all research programmes and day-to-day operations.

Research Operations Economics
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The Full Team

Researchers & Specialists

Our multidisciplinary team — from the field to the lab to the boardroom.

Shadreck Kapalamula

Shadreck Kapalamula

Lead, Land & Water Systems
BSc Land and Water Management (LUANAR)
Research

Shadreck leads CHIMKA's land and water systems work.

LinkedIn
Michael Msukuma

Michael Msukuma

Lead, Agricultural Economics & Rural Development
MSc Agricultural and Applied Economics (LUANAR, Malawi & University of pretoria, South Africa)
Research

Michael leads CHIMKA's agricultural economics and rural development strand.

LinkedIn
Precious Winstone

Precious Winstone

Lead, Information Technology, AI & Sustainability
BSc Sustainable Energy and Artificial Intelligence (MUST)
Data & Technology

Precious leads CHIMKA's technology and AI work.

LinkedIn
Blessings Navaya

Blessings Navaya

Research Assistant
Bachelor of Business Administration (MUBAS)
Research

Blessings supports CHIMKA's research teams across multiple projects.

Mark Kayange

Mark Kayange

Lead, Communications & Social Media
BA Finance and Banking (MUBAS)
Operations

Mark leads CHIMKA's communications and digital presence.

LinkedIn
We're Growing

Want to Join CHIMKA?

We welcome passionate young researchers, field professionals, and development practitioners who share our vision for rural Malawi. Whether as staff, volunteers, or research collaborators — there is a place for you here.

Get in Touch → Learn About Us