Prof. Rwiza holds a PhD in Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), South Korea. He also holds a master’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science from Lund University, Sweden. Prof. Rwiza works under the School of Materials, Energy, Water, and Environmental Sciences (MEWES) at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) where he lectures and researches in the fields of Water and Wastewater Treatment; Remediation of Mine Sites; Biomaterial Synthesis, Characterization,  and Application; Environmental Pollution, Monitoring, Protection and Remediation. Over the past eight (8) years, Prof. Rwiza with his colleagues and students has published more than 70 scientific articles in highly peer-reviewed scientific journals, reputable conference proceedings, and other globally renowned forums.

Prof. Rwiza teaches/ coordinates/ supervises/ examines the following courses at NM-AIST:

1. Environmental Governance – EnSE 6267.
2. Environmental Pollution – EnSE 6266.
3. Research Methods and Communication – MEWE 6101.
4. Research Methods and Communication – MEWE 7101.
5. Research Methods and Communication – BuSH 6101.
6. Research Methods and Communication – BuSH 7101.
7. Research Methods and Communication – BuSH 6001.
8. Graduate Seminar – MEWE 7401.
9. Supervised Outreach and Internship – MEWE 7102.
10. Industrial Placement – MEWE 6102.
11. Hazardous Waste Management – EnSE 7262.
12. Solid Waste Management – EnSE 7263.

Prof. Rwiza is a member of the following societies and organizations: (1) The Royal Society of Chemistry; (2) UNESCO Chair in Community-based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education; and (3) National Institute of Health and Care Research (UK).

Prof. Rwiza is an alumni recipient of the World Academy of Sciences – Deutsche Forschung Gemeinschaft (TWAS-DFG, 2020-2023) – A prestigious international cooperability award for renowned African scientists to collaborate with their counterparts in German research institutions.

PASET-Rsif: Prof. Rwiza is a coordinator and focal person for the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology – Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (PASET-Rsif) – link: RSIF PASET | Home - The PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (rsif-paset.org).

The Nyerere K4C Hub: Prof. Rwiza coordinates the UNESCO Knowledge for Change (K4C) hub at the NM-AIST under the UNESCO Chair in Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education – link: Tanzania K4C Hub (Nyerere) | Unescochair (unescochair-cbrsr.org).

Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES): Prof. Rwiza was a co-PI for the program that ended in 2021, The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES): Societal transformation and climate change: Training the next generation of scholars in Sub-Saharan Africa (NextGen Climate Change Advanced Scholars, 2017-2021): Prof. Rwiza was a co-PI in this program that was hosted at Carleton University (CU, Ottawa) and involved CU and three African universities: (1) NM-AIST (Tanzania), Mzuzu University (Malawi), and the University of Ghana (Ghana). Link: Queen Elizabeth Scholarships - Universities Canada (univcan.ca).

Prof. Rwiza, his students and fellow researchers have recently published the following scientific articles in reputable journals:

1. Makauki, E., Machunda, R., Basu, O. and Rwiza, M., 2025. Synergistic antimicrobial mechanisms of silver-doped zinc oxide for water treatment: a systematic review. H2Open Journal, 8(3), pp.72-88. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.2166/h2oj.2025.037
2. Ngayaga, M., Ripanda, A.S., Nade, P.B. and Rwiza, M.J. (2025). Economic factors influencing household access to clean water in a peri-urban area of Northern Tanzania. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 13(4), pp.565–586. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2025.134033
3. Bih, N.L., Rwiza, M.J., Ripanda, A.S., Mahamat, A.A., Machunda, R.L. and Choi, J.W., 2025. Adsorption of phenol and methylene blue contaminants onto high-performance catalytic activated carbon from biomass residues. Heliyon, 11(1), p.e41150. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41150
4. Kasambala, H.R., Rwiza, M.J., Mpumi, N., Mwema, M.F. and Njau, K.N. (2025). Agro-Waste-Derived Hybrid Biochar Exhibits High-Efficiency Removal of Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 236(5), p.323. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.110123
5. Ripanda, A., Rwiza, M.J., Reddy, S.G., Nyanza, E.C., Bakari, R., Miraji, H., Ravikumar, C.R., Murthy, H.C.A., Vuai, S.A.H., Machunda, R.L. and Annamareddy, S.H.K. (2025). Jamun Seed (Syzygium cumini) Biochar as a Potential Adsorbent for Environmental Applications. ES Food & Agroforestry, 19, p.1415. DOI link: https://dx.doi.org/10.30919/faf1415
6. Bayuo, J., Alayande, A.B., Mtei, K.M. and Rwiza, M.J. (2025). Biochar-based technology in water and wastewater treatment. In Low Cost Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems: Conventional and Recent Advances (pp. 153-194). Elsevier. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-23662-4.00012-3
7. Ngayaga, M., Nade, P.B., Rwiza, M.J. and Ripanda, A.S. (2025). Institutional frameworks and household clean water accessibility in peri-urban communities of Northern Tanzania: A case of the Suburban Ward. African Quarterly Social Science Review, 2(2), pp.198–213. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.2.18
8. Ripanda, A., Rwiza, M.J., Nyanza, E.C., Hossein, M., Alfred, M.S., Mahmoud, A.E.D., Murthy, H.A., Bakari, R., Vuai, S.A.H. and Machunda, R.L. (2025). Ecological Consequences of Antibiotics Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Understanding Sources, Pathways, and Potential Implications. Emerging Contaminants, p.100475. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emcon.2025.100475
9. Ripanda, A., Hossein, M., Rwiza, M.J., Nyanza, E.C., Selemani, J.R., Nkrumah, S., Bakari, R., Alfred, M.S., Machunda, R.L. and Vuai, S.A.H. (2025). Combatting toxic chemical elements pollution for Sub-Saharan Africa's ecological health. Environmental Pollution and Management. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epm.2025.01.003
10. Mwamlima, P., Njau, K.N., Rwiza, M. and Chacha, N. (2025). Evaluating the performance of faecal sludge dewatering technologies in urban settings of developing African countries: a review. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 35(1), pp.197-209. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2024.2349707
11. Mwamlima, P., Njau, K.N. and Rwiza, M.J. (2025). Efficacy of waste stabilization ponds and constructed wetlands adopted for treating faecal sludge in Africa: a review. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 35(2), pp.410-423. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2024.2358504
12. Mwimanzi, J.M., Haneklaus, N.H., Bituh, T., Brink, H., Kiegiel, K., Lolila, F., Marwa, J.J., Rwiza, M.J. and Mtei, K.M. (2025). Radioactivity distribution in soil, rock and tailings at the Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences, 18(2), p.101528. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2025.101528
13. Yegon, A.K., Mtavangu, S.G., Rwiza, M.J. and Machunda, R.L. (2025). Optimization, Characterization and Modeling of Functionalized Macadamia Nutshell Derived-Biochar for Drinking Water Defluoridation. Chemistry Africa, pp.1-19. DOI link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42250-025-01220-4

In the recent eight (8) years, Prof. Rwiza and his colleagues have published more than 70 articles in high-impact journals that can be accessed through the following databases:

• Web of Science: Mwemezi Johaiven Rwiza - Web of Science Core Collection
• Google Scholar: ‪Mwemezi J. Rwiza - ‪Google Scholar
• ORCID: Mwemezi Rwiza (0000-0001-5526-444X) - ORCID

Currently, Prof. Rwiza is working with the International International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP, United Kingdom) on a project funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation,Inc under the grant https://doi.org/10.54224/33195 - The Digital Hub for Open Research in East Africa. The project seeks to harness the transformative potential of open research to enable talented young researchers in East Africa to address critical questions facing their nations and communities, and deliver impact through their research.