Physicist and former education minister Romain Murenzi said his election as a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) is more than a personal milestone.

He said it is an opportunity to demonstrate that scientists from Rwanda and across Africa can contribute to global scientific progress while inspiring a new generation to pursue careers in science.

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Murenzi was elected a Fellow of the APS in recognition of his exceptional contributions to physics, science education and leadership.

The fellowship, established in 1921, is a prestigious distinction awarded through peer recognition, with no more than half of one per cent of the Society’s eligible membership elected each year.

The APS, founded in 1899, has more than 50,000 members from academia, national laboratories and industry in the United States and more than 100 other countries.

Speaking to The New Times, he said that the recognition reflects decades of work spanning mathematical physics, science education, international cooperation and the use of science to advance sustainable development.

"I see it not as a purely personal achievement but as recognition of the many colleagues, mentors, students, institutions, and international partners with whom I have had the privilege of working throughout my career,” he said.

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Murenzi believes the honour carries a message for Rwanda and the wider continent, saying scientific excellence is not determined by geography, and researchers working in Africa can contribute to knowledge and solutions that matter globally.

"I would emphasize that this recognition shows that scientific excellence has no geographical boundaries. Scientists from Rwanda and Africa can contribute at the highest international level and be recognized by the global scientific community. I hope it inspires young people, especially women and girls, to pursue careers in science, and reminds them that with dedication, education, and opportunity, they too can help advance knowledge and address the challenges facing our societies,” he said.

Turning recognition into lasting impact

While the fellowship celebrates his contributions, Murenzi believes Rwanda must look beyond individual achievements and strengthen the institutions that enable scientists to thrive.

He argues that sustained investment in science education, research institutions, research funding and opportunities for young researchers will be essential to building the country's scientific capacity.

Murenzi also emphasises the importance of professional scientific societies, which can help researchers share knowledge, establish international networks and contribute to developments in their respective fields.

"The number of PhD holders now working at the University of Rwanda and other research and scientific institutions provides a critical mass to establish a national society in each discipline. Such societies would, in turn, help individual scientists connect with their global counterparts,” he said.

He says these could bring together physicists, biologists, chemists, mathematicians, engineers, economists, historians and social scientists, helping researchers connect with their international counterparts and strengthen their professions.

Participation in regional and international academies is equally important. Murenzi points to institutions such as the African Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences (UNESCO-TWAS) and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World as platforms, through which scientists can collaborate, promote excellence and contribute expertise to public policy.

For him, international recognition should also encourage a broader understanding of Africa's place in global science.

"Africa is not only a consumer of scientific knowledge but also a contributor to global innovation and solutions,” he said.

He believes that recognising African scientists can challenge assumptions about where scientific excellence originates while encouraging stronger international partnerships.

Furthermore, Murenzi sees the greatest value of his APS Fellowship in what it might make possible for others.

"The greatest significance of this honour lies not in the title itself but in its potential to inspire the next generation of scientists,” he said.

From mathematical physics to science diplomacy

Murenzi’s work combines research in mathematical physics with efforts to strengthen scientific capacity and make science more responsive to society’s needs.

His research interests include wavelets, group theory, phase-space representations and coherent states, particularly their connections to quantum physics and signal processing.

However, his APS Fellowship citation highlights a broader dimension of his career, leadership in using science to promote peace and progress.

Beyond research, Murenzi has spent more than 25 years promoting science education, science literacy, science diplomacy and scientific advice to governments, with particular attention to Africa and other developing countries.

He describes this work as connecting science with policy, innovation and diplomacy, while helping prepare future leaders who are technically skilled, socially engaged and globally aware.

He also contributed to efforts to strengthen science, technology and innovation as foundations for national development, working with government leaders, universities and international partners.

At the international level, his leadership and collaborations have involved institutions including UNESCO, UNESCO-TWAS and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Through partnerships, fellowships, research grants and scientific mobility programmes, he has worked with colleagues to expand opportunities for researchers and students across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Murenzi has also supported initiatives promoting women's participation in science through inclusive policies, fellowships and leadership programmes.

To him, these achievements demonstrate what becomes possible when institutions and individuals work together to widen access to scientific opportunities.

Prof. Murenzi's career at a glance

Murenzi, who is currently a professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, United States, has built a career spanning scientific research, public service and international science policy.

He served as Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Scientific Research from 2001 to 2006. In 2006, he moved to the President’s Office as minister in charge of science, technology and scientific research, with responsibilities that included information and communications technology, serving until 2009.

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He joined the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2009 as a senior scholar. He later became director of the organisation’s Center for Science, Technology and Sustainable Development.

He also served at UNESCO, where he directed the Division of Science Policy and Capacity Building in the Natural Sciences sector from 2016 to 2017.

Murenzi’s international leadership also includes his tenure as executive director of TWAS, an organisation that promotes scientific capacity and excellence in developing countries.

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He led the academy from 2011 to 2016 and returned for a second term from 2017 to 2023.

During his tenure, TWAS expanded its education and training activities, strengthened its role in global science policy and advanced initiatives in science diplomacy and international scientific cooperation.

Between 2014 and 2015, Murenzi also chaired a United Nations Secretary-General’s high-level panel on a technology bank for least developed countries, contributing to efforts to improve access to technology and scientific knowledge in countries facing development challenges.