Current Roles
- Lecturer and Research Scientist (Biochemistry)
- Deputy HoD (Research) in the Biochemistry Department
- Director of the UJ Research centre for plant metabolomics
- Specialist Scientist in the International R&D division of Omnia Nutriology, Omnia Group, Ltd, South Africa
- Consultant for Pharmaceuticals and Health Institutions in Rwanda
- Member of the board of directors of the International Metabolomics Society (2020 – present)
- President / chairperson of the Metabolomics South Africa (2018 – present)
- Editorial boards of international (peer-reviewed) scientific journals
- Currently leads (as PI / main supervisor) a research group of over 15 young scientists (MSc and PhD candidates)
Education
Born and raised in Rwanda, Dr. Fidele Tugizimana holds a B.Phil. degree in Philosophy (magna cum laude) from the Urbaniana University, Rome-Italy (2003), B.Sc. in Biochemistry-Chemistry (University of Johannesburg / UJ, SA), B.Sc. Hons. in Biochemistry (UJ), M.Sc. in Biochemistry (cum laude) and Ph.D. in Biochemistry (summa cum laude) from UJ. He has also received different non-degree purpose training in Advanced Mathematics (UNISA), in Metabolomics for Life Sciences (EMBO, Cambridge, UK, 2013) and in Metabolic modelling, Pathway and Flux analyses (Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands, 2014).
Research Work
Dr. Fidele Tugizimana is among the leaders in the field of metabolomics nationally and internationally, contributing to the advancement and applications of metabolomics, an emerging omics science. He applies metabolomics, involving 4IR technologies (i) to understand crop plant-environment interactions, (ii) to discover natural products (with health benefits) from medicinal plants in Africa and (iii) to elucidate modes of action of plant biostimulants, for an innovative formulation and application programs of biostimulant products, for sustainable and productive farming practices. His research contributes towards the realization of UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly, zero hunger (SDG #2), good health and well-being (SDG #3), quality education (SDG #4), innovation (SDG #9) and climate action (SDG #13). His work also aligns with the Africa Agenda 2063, and South Africa’s National Development Plan, addressing critical global, regional, and local challenges.