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EXPERT ID: 1585
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Microbial Bioproducts & Enzyme Discovery Leader | Extremophile Bioprospecting, Metagenomics & Biosensors | Translating Biochemistry/Microbiology into Industrial, Food Safety & Environmental Impact

Overview

Academic and research leader specializing in microbial bio-products and bio-prospecting for industrially important enzymes and novel bioproducts with commercial and pharmaceutical potential. Work spans classical isolation of extremophiles (thermophiles/alkaliphiles) and metagenomic approaches, with applied outcomes across agriculture, food safety, environmental quality, and biosensor-enabled diagnostics. Recognized for scientific writing and contributions to book chapters, plus service as handling editor for international journals and as a scientific advisor for an international research foundation.

Short Bio

Associate Professor in Biochemistry and a biochemist/microbiologist focused on extremophile bioprospecting, industrial enzymes, and metagenomics-driven discovery. Known for applied innovation across food safety diagnostics, environmental quality, and biologically derived solutions with real-world impact.

What I Bring

  • Translational microbial bioproduct R&D bridging discovery to industrial, agricultural, medical, and environmental applications

  • Deep expertise in extremophile bioprospecting (hot springs/landfill) for high-performance enzymes and novel microbial functions

  • Metagenomic library construction and screening for commercially and pharmaceutically valuable bioproducts

  • Proven academic leadership, including department headship and long-term teaching across multiple health and science faculties

  • Scientific publishing leadership as journal handling editor and international scientific advisor

  • Practical service delivery in microbial-quality testing for food and hospitality clients

  • Demonstrated innovation performance in global problem-solving contests with multiple accepted/winning solutions

Key Technologies & Product Expertise

  • Industrial enzymes: glycosyl hydrolases (amylases, cellulases, xylanases, levansucrases), proteases, lipases

  • Extremophile microbiology: thermophiles and alkaliphiles; sampling from hot springs and landfill environments

  • Metagenomics: environmental DNA isolation, cloning, metagenomic library construction, functional screening

  • Exopolysaccharides: levan and levansucrase-producing thermophilic bacteria

  • Food safety diagnostics: aflatoxin B1 detection; electrochemical immunosensing

  • Biosensor platforms: electroless plated silver/cysteine sensor platform (patented)

  • Microbial quality testing: fecal contamination testing and broader microbial compliance testing for clients

  • Environmental applications: wastewater impacts, water quality assessment, drinking-water treatment concepts

  • Agriculture innovation: phosphate/potassium solubilizing microorganisms; farmer organization support

  • QA/QC standards development for solid and liquid growth media (industry standard white paper contribution)

Titles Held

  • Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Makerere University (2022–Present)

  • External Examiner (Biomedical Department), Kisubi University (2019–2020)

  • International Foundation for Science (IFS) Scientific Advisor (2010–2018)

  • Handling Editor, International Journal of Environment and Waste Management (2007–2015)

  • Handling Editor, International Journal of Environmental Engineering (2007–2015)

  • President, IFS-Uganda Chapter Alumni Association (2007–2015)

  • Head of Department, Biochemistry (2005–2007)

  • External Examiner (Biochemistry Department), Kampala International University (2006–2008)

  • External Examiner (Biochemistry Department), Busitema University (2006–2008)

  • External Examiner (Biochemistry Department), St. Augustine University (2006–2008)

Career Highlights

  • Inventor on an Australia patent for an aflatoxin B1 biosensor operating on an electroless plated silver/cysteine sensor platform

  • Research group innovation recognized via a Young Innovators Award (winner) for a portable electrochemical aflatoxin B1 immunosensor at a UN/FAO/WFP/IFAD/Ford Foundation Sharefair (Nairobi, Oct 2014)

  • Led/advanced bioprospecting programs focused on industrial enzymes from thermophiles/alkaliphiles, including Ugandan hot springs and landfill-derived isolates

  • Built capability in metagenomic bioprospecting for novel commercial/pharmaceutical bioproducts

  • Delivered microbial-quality testing services for hotels and external clients (including SGS and project-based clients)

  • Produced three accepted/winning solutions across eight global innovation contests (Innocentive and IdeaConnection)

  • Contributed book chapters on bioremediation, living machines, and industrial/hazardous waste treatment in major engineering handbooks

  • Supported national environmental work on municipal solid waste composition and decay rate constants for multiple Ugandan municipalities

Education & Professional Certifications

  • PhD, Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa (2004)

  • MSc, Biochemistry, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (1999)

  • BSc, Biochemistry and Zoology majors, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (1994)

Languages

English- Native

Impact

  • Advanced extremophile bioprospecting and enzyme discovery pipelines targeting industrially important enzymes for real-world deployment

  • Strengthened food safety and public health protection through aflatoxin biosensing and on-site detection innovations

  • Expanded applied microbiology contributions across water quality, wastewater impacts, waste valorization, and agricultural productivity

  • Built regional academic capacity through decades of teaching, supervision, and examiner roles across multiple universities

  • Influenced scientific quality and dissemination via journal editorial leadership and international scientific advisory service

Experience

31

Years of Experience

Papers Published

19

Papers Published

Patents Held

1

Patents Held

Fields of Expertise