- Sustainable Biotechnology
About me
I joined the then 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 initially 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) at Loughborough University, UK.
For my PhD, I investigated the fermentative production of hydrogen from carbohydrate-rich substrates, which I completed in 2007 at 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 Professor of Sustainable Bioprocess Engineering, I teach various subjects related to the design, optimisation, and operation of bioprocesses used in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, foods and beverages, and especially 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 Fermentation Technology and Sustainable Biotechnology and also contribute to teaching microbiology (Exploring the Microbial World module) and biotechnology (Applied Biotechnology module). 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 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.
- Development of a bioelectrochemical process for water desalination. This work is funded by an alumnus of the University of Westminster, Mr Trevor Yang.
- Ex-situ bioremediation of microplastics from water and upcycling of degradation products to added-value products. This PhD project is self-funded.
- Enhancing Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs) for commercial scale production of biohydrogen and biomethane from organic waste - MET-Biofuels. This Innovate UK-funded project is a collaboration between three universities and 2 SMEs in UK and South Korea.
Examples of completed projects
1) Process optimisation of fermentative hydrogen production (2012 - 2013)
2) Treatment of wastewater containing azo dyes using microbial fuel cells (2010-2014).
3) Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated groundwater and soils using bioelectrochemical systems (2011-2015).
4) Development of biocomposites with novel characteristics through enzymatic grafting (2011-2015).
5) Improved bacterial electricity production from wastewater using a synthetic biology approach (2015 - 2019)
6) Development of a biocathode system in microbial fuel cells for improved treatment of azo dyes (2015 - 2019)
7) Investigating microbial quorum sensing potential for enhanced production of biodegradable polymers (2016 - 2020)
8) The Effects of Quorum Sensing Molecules on Streptococcus mutans Biofilm (2018-2022)
9) Strategies for Improving the Bacterial Biodegradation of PET(2019 - 2023)
10) Bioelectrochemical remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. This work was sponsored by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Nigeria via a PhD scholarship (2021 – 2024).
11) Development of photosynthetic microbial fuel cells for treatment of azo dye-containing wastewater. This work was sponsored by the Egyptian Government via a PhD scholarship (2021 – 2024).
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, biosensing 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 e.g. biofuels and biosurfactants.
Research Groups / Key Appointments:
I am a member of the following research groups/professional organisations:
- Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)
- Applied Microbiology International
- International Water Association
- International Society for Microbial Electrochemistry and Technology (ISMET)
- University of Westminster Sustainable Biotechnology Research Group.
Publications
For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.