Biography
At the former Byumba School of Nursing and Midwifery (merged with other public institutions to form the University of Rwanda), Dr. Nkurunziza has served in numerous capacities including Clinical Coordinator and Vice-Principal in charge of Academic and Research. His leadership extended to managing the pediatric track in the University of Rwanda-master's program, where he was pivotal in teaching and curriculum development.
Dr. Nkurunziza has demonstrated significant expertise in project management. He co-led a major project under the funding of the Center of International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM), focusing on integrating family planning and comprehensive abortion care into nursing and midwifery curricula.
Dr. Nkurunziza has been the recipient of several prestigious awards throughout his academic career. In 2024, he received the Best Dissertation Award at Western University, supported by the Louise Rickwood PhD Scholarship in Nursing. During 2021-2022, he was awarded the Berman Family Graduate Award in Health Equity and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), and 2021 the Irene E. Nordwich Foundation award.
Positions
Education
Languages spoken
- French
Teaching Areas
Undergraduate Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
- Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) to BScN Bridging Program
Graduate Supervision
Accepting Students for Supervision
School year
- 2026/27
- 2027/28
- 2028/29
Research
Research Interests
- Maternal child health
- Health equity and social justice
- Anti-racism
- Belonging, inclusion and service access among immigrant populations
- Belonging and inclusion in nursing education
Grants & Funding
- Developing Conversation Cards to Enhance Adolescent Mothers’ Engagement in Care and Shared Decision-Making in Perinatal Services in Rwanda | Nipissing University Research Initiation Grant (RIG) | 2025-2027
- United for Health Rwanda: Development of a Preceptorship Model in Nursing and Midwifery in Rwanda | VLIR-UOS (RW2022TEA524B14) | 2023–2026
- Examining the Realms of Evidence-Informed Practice in Nursing Students | Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)/Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship | 2024–2026
- Equity in Education and Practice: Advancing Inclusive Support Strategies for Black and People of Color (BPOC) Nursing Students at Nipissing University | Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO)/Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship | 2025-2026
- Post-Government Regionalization and Dispersal Policies: Community-Based Participatory Project to Identify Solutions of Newcomers’ Health and Healthcare Challenges in Rural and Northern Ontario | Nipissing University ARSCAs | 2024-2025
- Exploring Adolescent Mothers' Experiences in Rebuilding Social Relationships and Accessing Support to Inform the Development of a Culturally Sensitive Psychosocial Support Intervention in Rwanda | SSHRC Institutional Grant (IG) | 2025
- Nurses and Midwives Faculty Perceived Ability and Willingness to Teach Family Planning and Comprehensive Abortion Care in Rwanda | Center for International Reproductive Health Training, University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM) | 2022–2023
- An Exploration of the Experiences of Adolescent Mothers Accessing Perinatal Services in Rwanda to Inform the Delivery of Trauma- and Violence-Informed Care | Anonymous Funder through Western University | 2019–2023
- Exploring the Need for Translating Trauma-Informed Abortion Care in Nursing and Midwifery Curriculum and Practice: A Multicenter Study | Center for International Reproductive Health Training, University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM) | 2022–2023
- Exploring Challenges of Adolescent Mothers in Gatsibo District, Rwanda | Center for International Reproductive Health Training, University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM) | 2022–2023
- The Lived Experience of Young Women Who Have Had an Unsafe Abortion in Rural Rwanda: A Descriptive Phenomenology | Center for International Reproductive Health Training, University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM) | 2022–2023
- The Effect of an Audio-Recorded Program on the Knowledge and Practices Towards Menstrual Hygiene Among Visually Impaired Adolescent Girls in Rwanda | Center for International Reproductive Health Training, University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM) | 2022–2023
- Adolescents Reproductive Health Accessibility and Utilization Project in Rwanda (ARHAUP-Rwanda) for Illiterate Adolescents | Center for International Reproductive Health Training, University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM) | 2022–2023
- Practices, Perceptions, and Challenges of Comprehensive Abortion Care Among Healthcare Providers in Rwanda | Center for International Reproductive Health Training, University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM) | 2022–2023
- Research Project on Blended Teaching and Learning in Nursing and Midwifery Education in Rwanda | United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) | 2020
- Breaking Barriers in the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancies for In-School Students in Kirehe District: Development of a Peer Education Program on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) | VLIR-UOS Africa 1 Program | 2019–2021 (awarded 2018; extended due to COVID-19)
Open to Media Inquiries
Publications
Nkurunziza, A., Smye, V., Jackson, K., Wathen, N., Tryphonopoulos, P., Cechetto, D. F., Gishoma, D., & Komakech, M. D. C. (2026). Exploring strategies to integrate trauma- and violence-informed care into perinatal services within primary healthcare settings in Rwanda to support adolescent mothers. SSM - Health Systems. Read more
Dol, J., Goyal, D., McQueen, K., Dennis-Grantham, A., Sousa, J. C. G. de, Singla, D. R., Nkurunziza, A., Abbass Dick, J., Birken, C., & Dennis, C.-L. (2026). Influence of paternal preconception health on miscarriage and time to pregnancy: A scoping review. Archives of Medical Research, 57(6), 103447. Read more
Kasine, Y., Twagirayezu, I., Nkurunziza, A., Ndayisenga, J. P., & Nkurikiyintwali, J. M. V. (2026). Community-driven strategies for preventing unintended adolescent pregnancies in low and middle-income countries: Insights from international experts. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 24, 1–9. Read more
Dennis, C.-L., McQueen, K., Dol, J., Dennis-Grantham, A., Singla, D. R., Nkurunziza, A., Abbass Dick, J., Birken, C. S., & Shorey, S. (2026). The influence of paternal preconception health on birth defects, head circumference, and birth outcomes: A scoping review. PLOS Global Public Health, 6(2), 1–19. Read more
Mehta, V., Mehta, K., Rajendra, K., Dennis, C.-L., Djukic, D., Nkurunziza, A., Thompson, G., Vigod, S. N., & Barker, L. C. (2026). Interventions for perinatal anxiety and related disorders in adolescents: A scoping review. European Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35, 1045–1057. Read more
Nkurunziza, A., Smye, V., Wathen, N., Tryphonopoulos, P., Cechetto, D., Jackson, K., & Gishoma, D. (2025). A qualitative study exploring the experiences of adolescent mothers accessing perinatal services in Rwanda to inform the delivery of trauma- and violence-informed care: A double-edged sword. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25(1131), 1–13. Read more
Nkurunziza, A., Smye, V., Wathen, N., Jackson, K., Cechetto, D., Tryphonopoulos, P., & Gishoma, D. (2024). Integrating trauma- and violence-informed care in perinatal services to support adolescent mothers in low and middle-income countries: A call to action. Discover Public Health, 21(177), 1–7. Read more
Nkurunziza, A., Smye, V., Wathen, N., Jackson, K., Cechetto, D., Tryphonopoulos, P., & Gishoma, D. (2024). Integrating trauma- and violence-informed care for adolescent mothers in Rwanda: A qualitative study with community health workers. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), 868. Read more
Nkurunziza, A., Smye, V., Wathen, N., Jackson, K., Cechetto, D., Tryphonopoulos, P., & Gishoma, D. "… I carry their stories home …": Experiences of nurses and midwives caring for perinatal adolescent mothers in primary health care settings in Rwanda. BMC Nursing, 23(609). Read more