Prof. Samwel Mchele Limbu is an Associate Professor of Aquaculture Nutrition and Environmental Health at the University of Dar es Salaam, where he currently serves as Head of the Department of Quality Assurance in Research, Publication and Innovation. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture from UDSM in 2007 and later earned a Master of Science in Aquaculture Nutrition from the University of Stirling, Scotland, in 2010. His research focuses on aquatic animal nutrition and feed formulation; the environmental health impacts of antibiotics on aquatic species and the associated human health risks; and aquaculture production and farming practices in Africa. Prof. Limbu has worked extensively with small-scale farmers to enhance aquaculture’s contribution to food security, income generation, and rural employment, and his scholarly output includes more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and six book chapters. He also serves as Academic Editor for the Journal of Applied Aquaculture published by Taylor & Francis, underscoring his international visibility and leadership in advancing sustainable aquaculture research and practice. Prof. Samwel Mchele Limbu has earned multiple prestigious awards, including Best Researcher of the Year (2021, 2024, 2025), scholarly distinction, international student scholarships, and recognition for outstanding academic performance, publications, and leadership, reflecting global excellence in aquaculture research and education.
Prof. Samwel Mchele Limbu’s research interests lie at the intersection of aquaculture nutrition, environmental health, and sustainable production systems. His work explores the effects of dietary interventions and feed additives, such as L-carnitine, probiotics, and high-fat diets, on growth performance, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and nutrient composition in key aquaculture species, including Nile tilapia, African catfish, Chinese mitten crab, and rice field eel. He also investigates the role of intestinal microbiota in mitigating feed-related toxicities and enhancing fish health. Beyond laboratory studies, his research extends to practical farming innovations, including cage nursing of tilapia fry for stock enhancement, and socio-economic analyses of aquaculture practices and market participation, particularly in African contexts. Collectively, his scholarship integrates molecular biology, fish physiology, feed formulation, and farmer-centred production strategies to advance aquaculture’s contribution to food security, income generation, and environmental sustainability.
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From 2024 to date, I am participating in a project titled “Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway – Climate-smart Post-harvest Technologies” sponsored by UK International Development.
From 2023 to date, I am participating in a project titled “INNOECOFOOD - Eco-Innovative Technologies for Improved Nutrition, Sustainable Production and Marketing of Agroecological Food Products in Africa” sponsored by European Union.
From November 2023 to January 2024, I worked at SAMEKI Fish Farm as an industrial attachment from the University of Dar es Salaam working with the community to solve the problem of availably of quality fish feed.
From 2020 to 2014, I participated in a project titled “BlueGRASI - Developing protocols for breeding silver pompano and rabbit fish in captivity in Tanzania and Kenya, assessing the performance of silver pompano and rabbit fish”.
From December 2020 to date, I am participating in a project titled “Assessment of antibiotic residues in commonly consumed marine fish and potential human health risk along the Tanzanian coast”.
From November 2020 to date, I am participating in a project titled “Increased Urban Tilapia Farming by Developing Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) Technology”.
From June 2016 to 2020, participated in a research titled “Benefits and Risks of Antibiotics on Fish”.
From June 2012 to 2016 I participated in a research titled “Integrating Agriculture and Aquaculture for Increased Farm Productivity” under a government funding through Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH).
Publications in Peer-Refereed Journals
Chapters in Books