Dr. Austin Mtethiwa is an Associate Professor in Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems. He is an enthusiastic, self-motivated young man, Malawian by nationality. He is originally from the Southern region of Malawi, Savala Village, TA Chimaliro, Thyolo district.

He possesses PhD (Applied Zoology - Environmental pollution) from University of Dar es Salaam,Tanzania in 2016, MSc. (Environmental Science - Limnology and Wetland Ecosystems) from UNESCO- IHE, The Netherlandsin 2003 and both BSc.(Agriculture) 1996and Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Malawi in1998.

His research interests spinsaround, Environment, Water and sanitation, Public health (Parasitology) and Aquaculture and Fisheries Science. Dr. Austin Mtethiwa joined the University teaching profession in 2003 and ascended to the position of a Senior Lecturer in 2008. Currently, he has authored and co-authored 13 articles in peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings. In addition, he has 2 book chaptercontributions and is a reviewer of three journals. Dr. Mtethiwa has been sitting in the supervisory committees of more than18 Postgraduate students and examination panel of more than 35 postgraduate students.

Over the years, Dr. Mtethiwa has worked as the acting Head as well as the Deputy Head of Department. Besides, he has also been the Postgraduate Coordinator for Aquaculture department, which saw a huge number of students completing their programs on time. Dr. Mtethiwa has been a Board member for Southern Region Water board, Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture and Development, Patron for Aquaculture and Fisheries Organisation (AFO) and Committee member forResearch and Consultancy Committee (LUANAR),Malawi Bureau of Standards(Food and Agriculture)Standards development, University Widening access as well as various departmental and college committees.

Dr. Mtethiwa worked as a team member for the Malawi Poverty Environmental Initiative (MPEI)studyin Malawi, funded by UNEP, Principal Investigator for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) exercise (on the water quality aspect) of rehabilitating the Kamuzu barrage in Liwonde, Malawi funded by World bank, Team member for developmentof an Aquaculture and Fisheries Science MSc. and PhD curricula and running of donor funded projects within and outside the Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciencedepartment.Overall, Dr. Mtethiwa habours,expertise in training, research, consultancy, outreach, proposal writing as well as leadership skills, among others.

1. Mtethiwa AHN, Bakuza J, Nkwengulila G (2015) Prevalence and Intensity of Schistosomiasis in Communities around Water Reservoirs in Malawi. J Trop Dis 4:183. doi:10.4172/2329-891X.1000183
2. Mtethiwa, AHN, Gamba Nkwengulila, G Jared Bakuza J, Sikawa, D and Kazembe, A (2015), Extent of morbidity associated with schistosomiasis infection in Malawi: a review paper, Infectious Diseases of Poverty (2015) 4:25
3. Namalima, T, Mtethiwa, AHN, Sikawa, DC (2016). Compliance of effluent from sewage oxidation ponds to World Health Organization water quality standards for aquaculture production Open Journal of Water Pollution and Treatment, 1-9. 2374-6343 ISSN(Online): 2374-6351.
4. Ssenfuma R, Kassam D, Gondwe T N, Mtethiwa A HN, and Sikawa D (2015), The interactive effect of water temperature and salinity on yolk absorption rate, growth and larval survival of African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), Malawi Journal of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Developmental Studies, 1(1): 31-35,
5. Ssenfuma R., .Kassam D., Gondwe T.N., Mtethiwa AHN and Sikawa D., 2012 Combined effect of water temperature and salinity on egg incubation period, hatching period and egg hatchability in African catfish clarias gariepinus (burchell 1822), Malawi Journal of Aquaculture, 3(1) 26-33.
6. Musuka, C. G., J. S. Likongwe, J. Kang’ombe, W. W. L. Jere and A. H. Mtethiwa. 2009. The effects of stocking density on survival, growth, feed utilization, condition factor, whole body composition, blood glucose and haematocrit in juvenile Tilapia rendalli. International Journal of Bioscience 5: 1 – 6.
7. Nsonga, A.R.; Kang.ombe, J.; Mfitilodze, W.; Soko, C.K, Mtethiwa, A.H. 2009, Effect of varying levels of dietary vitamin c (Ascorbic acid) on growth, survival and hematology of juvenile tilapia, Oreochromis karongae (trewavas 1941) reared in aquaria. Braz. J. quat. Sci. Technol., 2009, 13(2):17-23.17.
8. Mtethiwa A.H. N., Munyenyembe A., Jere W.L, Nyali E. 2008. Efficiency of oxidation ponds in treating sewage waste waters and their effects on biodiversity of benthic micro-invertebrates. International Journal of Environmental Research, 5(2), 149-152.