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Biography
Prof. Kessy Fidel Kilulya is a Tanzanian Chemist, Academic and researcher, currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Tanzania, with a career spanning over two decades. Prof. Kilulya holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, specializing in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. He also earned his MSc in Chemistry, and BSc with Education, majoring in Chemistry and Mathematics, from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Prof. Kilulya was employed as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam in 2006, promoted to a Lecturer position in 2012, Senior Lecturer in 2019 and then Associate Professor in 2025. Between 2012 and 2013, he undertook a Postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Johannesburg. His scientific research focuses on the field of analytical and environmental chemistry, particularly on water purification, determination of environmental, food and water contaminants, and microplastics. Prof. Kilulya has authored over 50 scholarly publications, numerous conference papers, and a number of funded research projects from local and international bodies including UDSM, World Bank, EU and WIOMSA. He has participated in organizing various scientific events, including international conferences and Chemistry Festivals.
Throughout his academic career, Prof. Kilulya has held different leadership roles, including Head of Chemistry Department, Coordinator of Knowledge Exchange and Consultancy, and Manager of the Natural Science Consultancy Bureau at the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS). He has also been a long-serving Board Member of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS) and the Secretary of the Tanzania Chemical Society (TCS).
Research Interest
Analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, material science and chemometrics
Contacts
Email:
Projects
Analysis of chemical cellulose contaminants and their effects on the quality of chemical cellulose.
Investigations on the levels of aflatoxins contamination in different food crops/products (i.e., maize, spices, eggs, chicken and different animal feeds) and mitigation for improved food security.
Investigations on Blue Green Algal Blooms and their Toxins as Emerging Contaminants Occurring in Some Tanzanian Freshwater Bodies.
Investigation on the Simultaneous Removal of Fluoride and Arsenic in Drinking Water by Electrocoagulation Technology using Hybrid Al-Fe Electrodes.
Investigation on the Occurrence, Affinity and Toxicity of Microplastics in Sediments and Fish from different Water Bodies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Promoting STEM Education via Manufacturing Innovative Low Cost Equipment for Teaching Laboratories in Tanzania. Implemented through UDSM Grant Award 2020
Publications
Mtega, Macarius, Clarence A. Mgina, Eliangiringa Kaale, Joseph Sempombe, and Kessy F. Kilulya. "Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Maize and Maize Products from Selected Locations of Tanzania and the Effects of Cooking Preparation Processes on Toxin Levels." Tanzania Journal of Science 46, no. 2 (2020): 407-418.
Mahugija, John AM, Zainab S. Kasenya, and Kessy F. Kilulya. "Variations of Concentrations of Lead, Zinc, Iron, Copper and Cadmium in Urine of Primary School Pupils in Relation to Age, Sex and Academic Performance." Tanzania Journal of Science 46.2 (2020): 190-204.
Magori J. Nyangi, Yonas Chebude, Kessy F. Kilulya. Fluoride Removal Efficiencies of Al-EC and Fe-EC Reactors: Process Optimization using Box–Behnken Design of the Surface Response Methodology. Applied Water Science, (2020) 10:214; 1 - 11. Published online 07 September, 2020.
Magori J. Nyangi, Yonas Chebude, Kessy F. Kilulya & Minu Andrew Simultaneous removal of fluoride and arsenic from water by hybrid Al-Fe electrocoagulation: process optimization through surface response method; Separation Science and Technology ((2020)),
DOI:10.1080/01496395.2020.1837877. Published online 29 October 2020.
John A. M. Mahugija, Anastazia N. Wandwi and Kessy F. Kilulya, Comparison of centrifugation and solid phase extraction (SPE) methods of sample preparations in determination of residues of drugs of abuse in urine, Tanzania Journal of Science, Vol. 46(3), 2020. 585 – 596. Published online 30 October 2020.
Magori J. Nyangi, Yonas Chebude, Kessy F. Kilulya. Catherine J. Salim; Comparative Study on Adsorption Isotherm and Kinetics of Defluoridation Using Aluminum and Iron Electrodes in Electrocoagulation; Chemistry Africa; Published online 12 February 2021; https://doi.org/10.1007/s42250-021-00228-w
Magori J. Nyangi, Yonas Chebude, Kessy F. Kilulya, Andrew Minu; Removal of fluoride and arsenic from groundwater by hybrid Al–Fe electrocoagulation: Adsorption isotherm and kinetics study of single and binary component systems; Remediation, 2021;1–13. Published online 16 March 2021; https://doi.org/10.1002/rem.21677
M. J. Nyangi, Y. Chebude, K. F. Kilulya and A. Minu; Effects of coexisting ions on simultaneous removal of fluoride and arsenic from water by hybrid Al–Fe electrocoagulation; International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (2021) Published: online; 17 August 2021; DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03598-3
Paul M. Omary, Emanuel X. Ricky, Naswibu A. Kasimu, Makungu M. Madirisha, Kessy F. Kilulya*, Esther H. J. Lugwisha, Potential of Kaolin Clay on Formulation of Water Based Drilling Mud Reinforced with Biopolymer, Surfactant, and Limestone, Tanzania Journal of Science, Vol. 49(1) 2023, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i1.19
Josephine John Gobrya, Sekela Simon Twisab, Faustin Ngassapaa and Kessy F. Kilulya, Impact of land use/cover change on water quality in the Mindu Dam drainage, Tanzania, Water Practice & Technology, 18 (5): 1086–1098, doi: 10.2166/wpt.2023.067.
Regina Irunde, Fanuel J. Ligate, Julian Ijumulana, Arslan Ahmad, Jyoti Prakash Maity, Rajabu Hamis, Joseph Y.N. Philip, Kessy Fidel Kilulya, Erik Karltun, Joseph Mtamba, Prosun Bhattacharya, Felix Mtalo, The natural magnesite efficacy on arsenic extraction from water and alkaline influence on metal release in water, Applied Geochemistry (Elsevier), Available online 3 June 2023, 105705 Vol. 155 (2023) 105705.
Charles Shija, Kessy F. Kilulya, Julius Mbuna, Lipophilic Wood Extractives’ Contamination of Water Bodies in the Vicinity of Pulp and Paper Mill, Southern Tanzania, Tanzania Journal of Science 49(2): 346-358, 2023; DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.6
Julieth P. Kakwaya, Makungu M. Madirisha, Kessy F. Kilulya, and Esther H. J. Lugwisha, Isolation and Performance Test of Green Low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitors from Local Materials for Improving Flow Assurance in Oil and Gas Industry, Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (Tanz. J. Engrg. Technol.), Vol. 42 (No. 2), June, 2023.
Macarius P Mtega, Matobola J Mihale and Kessy F Kilulya, Microplastics in Marine Sediments from Dar es Salaam Coast: Spatial Distribution and Characterization, Tanzania Journal of Science 49(3): 764-775, September, 2023.
Macarius Pancras Mtega, Matobola Joel Mihale and Kessy Fidel Kilulya, Evaluation of Toxicological Risks and Effects of Microplastics on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) under in Vitro Laboratory Conditions, East African Journal of Biophysical and Computational Sciences (East Afr. J. Biophys. Comput. Sci. (2023)), Vol. 4, Issue. 2, 54-68, September 2023.
Josephine J. Gobry, Hilda S. Bachwenkizi, Oforo N. Kimambo, Faustin N. Ngassapa and Kessy F. Kilulya; Occurrence of Harmful Algal Blooms in Freshwater Sources of Mindu and Nyumba ya Mungu Dams, Tanzania, Journal of Toxicology Volume 2023, Article ID 5532962, 14 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5532962. October, 2023.
Sai Ngassa, Cyprian Mpinda, Kessy Kilulya and Rose Masalu, Scientific Landscape on Phthalates Biodegradation Research: A Bibliometric and Scientometric Study. Tanzania Journal of Science 49(4): 842-858, 2023 ISSN 0856-1761, e-ISSN 2507-7961, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i4.6, 842 – 858, Published on October, 2023.
Datius S. Revocatus, Naswibu A. Kasimu, Emanuel X. Ricky, Makungu M. Madirisha, Lilian D. Kaale, Noah M. Pauline, Kessy F. Kilulya, Esther H. Lugwisha; Thermochemical conversion of underutilized lignocellulosic waste to syngas: Supercritical water gasification for value addition to corncob and sisal waste; Ethiop. J. Sci. & Technol. 16(3): 245-262, October 2023. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ejst.v16i3.5
Sai Ngassa, Cyprian Mpinda, Kessy Kilulya, Rose Masalu, Phthalates in marine sediment, water and the cockle Anadara antiquate on the coast of Tanzania, WIO Journal of Marine Science 22 (2) 2023 107-124. Doi: 10.4314/wiojms.v22i2.8, Published on December, 2023.
Mtega, Macarius, Mihale, Matobola Joel and Kilulya, Kessy Fidel, Abundance and Distribution of Microplastics in Fish and Sediments from Coastal River Watersheds of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Sci & Technol., Vol. 5(1), 2023 pp 84–99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61538/tjst.v5i1.1405
Ramla L. Nassoro, Makungu M. Madirisha, Kessy F. Kilulya, Esther H. J. Lugwisha; Bio-waste Crude Extracts as Alternatives to Synthetic Antioxidants in Petroleum Lubricants, Ethiopian Journal of Science and Sustainable Development, Vol. 11(2), 2024, https://doi.org/10.20372/ejssdastu:v11.i2.2024.800, Published: 1 August, 2024.
Khadija S Ali, Clarence A Mgina, and Kessy F Kilulya, Levels of Aflatoxins in Selected Spices Marketed in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Tanzania, Tanzania Journal of Science 50(2): 169-180, 2024, https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v50i2.1, Published: June 2024.
Claude A. Mosha, Makungu M. Madirisha, Kessy F. Kilulya, and Esther H. J. Lugwisha, Sediment Characteristics and Hydrocarbon Composition of MakukwaSeep in Southern Tanzania: Potential Implications for Subterranean Hydrocarbon Accumulation, Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology 2024, 43(1):59-73, https://doi.org/10.52339/tjet.v43i1.982, Published: April., 2024.
Sharifa Juma, Clarence Mgina, Kessy F Kilulya, Aflatoxins contamination in spices marketed in selected areas of Tanzania and their Detection by Chromatographic Technique, African Health Sciences, Vol 24 Issue 2, 140 – 151; 2024 (Available online 11 July 2024). https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v24i2.17
Joseph W Sengasu, Joseph YN Philip and Kessy F Kilulya, Adsorptive Performance of Composite of Sugarcane Bagasse Fibres and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Simultaneous Removal of Multi–pollutants from Wastewaters, Tanzania Journal of Science, Vol 50 (3): 522-540, 2024. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v50i3.9
Mambaga S. Muja, Regina P. Mtei and Kessy F. Kilulya, The Occurrence and Variations of Total Aflatoxins and Aflatoxin B1 in Different Types of Chicken Feeds Marketed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Science, Vol 50(3): 600-612, 2024. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v50i3.15
Rehema A. Mkalenda, Regina P. Mtei, Kessy F. Kilulya, Occurrence, Distribution and Variations of Aflatoxins in Chicken Organs with Respect to Chicken Age, Tanzania Journal of Science, 51(2): 256-269, 2025. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v51i2.1
Fredrick A. Obedi, Regina P. Mtei, Kessy F. Kilulya, Mitigating Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnuts Using Plant-Derived Essential Oils: Implications for Food Security, Journal of Food Quality, Volume 2025, Article ID 2042590, 14 pages; https://doi.org/10.1155/jfq/2042590
Joseph W. Sengasu, Kessy F. Kilulya, Joseph Y.N. Philip, Adsorption Based Techniques for Simultaneous Removal of Multi-Pollutant from Wastewaters Using Silane Modified Fibres from Sugarcane Bagasse; Cleaner Water, 4 (2025) 100178; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clwat.2025.100178
Catherine Y. Msomba, Makungu M. Madirisha, Kessy F. Kilulya, Formulation of Geopolymer with Assisted Carbonation and High-Salinity Brine Curing to Strengthen Wellbore Integrity in Deep Oil and Gas Wells, Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-025-10693-x
Hossein Miraji, Asha Ripanda, Angelina Makaye, Kessy F. Kilulya, Juma Rajabu Selemani, Revocatus L. Machunda, Hemen Sarma, Chapter 3 -Nanosensors and diagnostics for disease detection, Editor(s): Yugal Kishore Mohanta, Hemen Sarma, Mahesh Narayan, In Advances in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Nanomedicine and Nutrigenomics, Academic Press (Elsevier), 2026 (Published online 28 November, 2025), Pages 55-92, ISBN 9780443267611, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-26761-1.00018-1