Marisa Casale joined HEARD as a Researcher in February 2005. She has a degree in Economics and Banking Science from the University of Siena (Italy) and a Masters in Rural Development Studies, obtained at the University of Padua, Italy (2004). Marisa has also been a Visiting Scholar at the University of Natal (1998) and at Cambridge University (1999) respectively.

Contact details: 031 260 2052 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Before joining HEARD, Marisa worked for five years as a credit analyst for a development bank in Italy; her responsibilities included evaluating loan applications and proposals of NGOs and other third sector organizations, as well as liaising with clients and local government departments. Marisa also has experience in microfinance; these include: management of the bank's first microfinance programme, in partnership with local government bodies; an impact assessment of an Ecuadorian microfinance institution's credit activities (including 6 months community based fieldwork in the Ecuadorian Andes); lecturing on microfinance for a Masters course in Rural Development Cooperation (Padua).

Since joining HEARD, Marisa has been involved in a number of diverse projects, which include: research on the socio-economic impacts of HIV/AIDS for the International Development Research Corporation (IDRC), Canada; participation in a Scenario Building Project with Metropolitan Life AIDS Solutions; coordination of a HEARD/ UNAIDS Research Symposium; coordination of the South African field research for the multi-country ‘Child Future Security' project, funded by IFPRI's Regional Network on HIV/AIDS, Rural Livelihoods and Food Security ( RENEWAL). She is currently co-leading the iThemba Lethu project, an evaluation of a faith-based HIV prevention programme amongst school-going children in Cato Manor, Durban.