Dr Godfrey Kyazze

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Reader

Life Sciences

(United Kingdom) +44 20 7911 5000 ext 64123
115 New Cavendish Street
London
GB
W1W 6UW
Tuesdays 2 - 5 pm
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About me

I joined the Faculty of Science and Technology in 2009 as a Lecturer in Bioprocess Technology. My BSc degree was in Industrial Chemistry from Makerere University, Uganda, after which I worked as a Production Chemist at Kampala Pharmaceutical Industries (1996) Ltd. I then returned to Makerere University as an Assistant Lecturer in Industrial Chemistry. In 2003 I completed my MSc (Batch Process Engineering from Loughborough University, UK.)

For my PhD I investigated the fermentative production of hydrogen from carbohydrate-rich substrates which I completed in 2007 from the Sustainable Environment Research Centre, University of Glamorgan, UK (now University of South Wales). I stayed at Glamorgan for postdoctoral studies investigating the enhancement of hydrogen production from fermentation end products using microbial electrolysis cells. I also have a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education obtained from the University of Westminster in 2012.

Teaching

As a Reader of Bioprocess Technology, I teach a range of subjects related to the design, optimisation, and operation of bioprocesses used in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, agriculture, and environmental biotechnology. I have previously taught Mathematics for Biochemical Engineering, Bioprocess Design, Biochemical Unit Operations, and Bioprocess Modelling. I am currently the module leader for 1) Fermentation Technology, 2) Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, 3) Exploring the Microbial World, and 4) Applied Biotechnology. I am also the course leader for our MSc Applied Biotechnology and supervise research projects for undergraduate and graduate students.

Research

Current research interests

I am currently the Co-Leader of the Sustainable Biotechnology Research Group and Co-Coordinator of the Westminster Biotechnology Research Internship Scheme. Specific research interests include:

  • Utilisation of biological resources for the fermentative production of renewable energy fuels/carriers for example bioethanol, biogas, biohydrogen and biobutanol.
  • Bio-electrochemical systems e.g. microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment / electricity production and for production of renewable chemicals.
  • Process optimisation of bioreactor systems for the production of biological products.

Current projects

  • Strain engineering and process development for production of sustainable dyes (bioindigo) from bacteria. This is in collaboration with Bluegene Technologies Ltd.
  • Accelerating the commercial implementation of electromethanogenic reactors. This work is sponsored by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 and is in collaboration with WASE Ltd.
  • Bioelectrochemical remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. This work is sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Nigeria via a PhD scholarship.
  • Development of photosynthetic microbial fuel cells for treatment of azo dye-containing wastewater. This work is sponsored by the Egyptian Government via a PhD scholarship.
  • Development of a bioelectrochemical process for water desalination. This work is funded by an alumnus of the University of Westminster, Trevor Yang.
  • Biodegradation of mineral plastic waste.

Examples of completed projects

  • Process optimisation of fermentative hydrogen production (2012 - 2013)
  • Treatment of wastewater containing azo dyes using microbial fuel cells (2010-2014).
  • Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated groundwater and soils using bioelectrochemical systems (2011-2015).
  • Development of biocomposites with novel characteristics through enzymatic grafting (2011-2015).
  • Improved bacterial electricity production from wastewater using a synthetic biology approach (2015 - 2019)
  • Development of a biocathode system in microbial fuel cells for improved treatment of azo dyes (2015 - 2019)

Investigating microbial quorum sensing potential for enhanced production of biodegradable polymers (2016 - 2020)

The Effects of Quorum Sensing Molecules on Streptococcus mutans Biofilm (2018-2022)

  • Strategies for Improving the Bacterial Biodegradation of PET(2019 - 2023)

If you wish to pursue PhD studies in the following general areas, please get in touch:

  • Development of new environmental biotechnologies (e.g. microbial fuel cells) for wastewater treatment, resource recovery or cleaning up contaminated sites.
  • Bioprocess optimisation for production of biological products e.g. biofuels
  • Synthetic biology approaches to improving the productivity of microbial products. 

Research Groups / Key Appointments:

  •  Member of the following research groups/professional organisations:
  •  Institute of Chemical Engineering 
  • Society for Applied Microbiologists
  • International Water Association 
  • Westminster Water Science 
  • Sustainable Biotechnology.

Publications

For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.