Dr. Wakene Alemu Gizaw

Professional Summary

Dr. Wakene Alemu Gizaw is an Ethiopian Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and a senior environmental consultant specializing in water science, wastewater treatment, environmental impact assessment, pollution analysis, climate change toolkits, adsorption technologies, biochar, biogas systems, and sustainable resource recovery. He holds a PhD in Water Science & Technology, an MSc in Environmental Engineering, and a BSc in Chemical Engineering, supported by more than fourteen years of academic, research, consultancy, and industrial project experience. His work connects advanced research with practical environmental solutions, including nitrate and phosphate removal, water reclamation, ESIA and environmental audit studies, biofertilizer development, low-carbon projects, and circular economy applications. As a university educator, researcher, supervisor, consultant, and publication contributor, he brings strong technical depth, teaching capacity, and professional commitment to water, climate, sustainability, and environmental engineering projects in Ethiopia and beyond.

Key Expertise

Major Projects and Contributions

• Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering – Adama Science & Technology University
  Serves as an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, teaching, mentoring, supervising students, supporting academic development, and contributing to water, wastewater, environmental engineering, sustainability, and research-based professional training.
• Senior Environmental Consultancy in ESIA, Environmental Audit and Pollution Analysis
  Provides consultancy services in environmental and social impact assessment, environmental audit, pollution analysis, document development, technical reporting, and environmental compliance support for organizations and project activities in Ethiopia.
• Doctoral Research on Nitrate and Phosphate Removal from Municipal Wastewater
  Completed a doctoral dissertation with excellent rating on nitrate and phosphate removal from municipal wastewater using silicate materials, contributing to nutrient removal, wastewater treatment, and sustainable environmental engineering research.
• Advanced Adsorption Research as Visiting Researcher at IIT Delhi
  Conducted six months of visiting research at IIT Delhi focusing on advanced adsorption studies, strengthening expertise in contaminant removal, adsorption materials, wastewater treatment, and fixed-bed column applications.
• Biogas Potential from Sewage, Slaughterhouse and Fruit/Vegetable Wastes
  Completed MSc research rated very good on biogas potential from sewage, slaughterhouse waste, and fruit and vegetable wastes, linking environmental engineering with renewable energy, waste valorization, and circular resource recovery.
• Biochar, Bone Char and Modified Adsorbent Research
  Works on biochar and bone char adsorbents, including Ca, Mg, and Fe modified biochar composites, adsorption technologies, nutrient recovery, and contaminant removal applications for water and wastewater treatment.
• Student Supervision in Water, Wastewater and Environmental Engineering Research
  Supervised more than nine MSc theses on biochar composites, struvite formation for phosphate recovery, fluoride and arsenite removal from groundwater, NPK hydrogel fertilizer development, and sludge powder as a cement substitute; also co-supervises two ongoing PhD students and serves on a postdoctoral committee for one PhD student.
• Climate Change, Sustainability and Low-Carbon Toolkit Development
  Develops and supports climate change and sustainability toolkits, climate adaptation work, low-carbon-footprint projects, circular economy activities, climate advocacy, and sustainable development initiatives.
• Freelance-Ready Remote Consultancy in Water, Climate, ESIA and Data Analysis
  Available for short-term and long-term remote contracts in water treatment, environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, climate toolkits, data analysis, online tutoring in natural science and engineering courses, and technical report writing.
• Peer-Reviewed Publications and ORCID-Linked Research Portfolio
  Maintains a peer-reviewed publication record of more than nine selected publications, with research outputs available through ORCID.
• Professional Capacity in Online Teaching, Data Analysis and Technical Skills
  Holds additional training and nanodegrees in online teaching, AI essentials, data analysis, programming, Android development, higher education teaching, soap and detergent manufacturing, water quality monitoring, and Net Zero 101.