Degrees

Ph.D.	Biotechnology, University of South Wales, Sydney, Australia
M.Sc.	Food Science and Microbiology, Strathclyde University, Glascow, Scotland
B.Sc.	Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Courses Taught
Current:

BT 212                        Introduction to Biotechnology

CHE 302/304L             Organic Chemistry II Lecture/Lab

Previous

CHE 101

CHE 102

BIO 103

BIO 104L

BIO 312

Department Workgroup
My primary unit is Cooperative Research; my workgroup within the unit is Environmental Sciences. My primary assignments within the unit are: (1) To design and conduct research experiments involving microorganisms with the objective of solving specific environmental problems. (2) Write and submit proposals to external agencies for possible funding. (3) Train students on basic approaches to undertaking independent research. I also serve as a member of the Departmental Scholarship Committee.

Research Interests
My current research interests are: (1) Development, formulation and field evaluation of a mixed formulation of a biopesticide on the control of mosquito in New Madrid County of southeast Missouri. (2) Conversion of food wastes into utilizable substrates for microbial growth and product formation. (3) Formulation of biological pesticides for the control of agricultural pests.  (4) The use of microorganisms in the remediation of environmental contamination. (5) Conversion of agricultural wastes into value added products such as fuels.  (6) The use of microorganisms for the control of odor. (7) The use of agricultural wastes for filtration of wastes in wastewaters. (8) Fermentation and metabolic engineering of microorganisms to convert oils into biopharmaceutical products.

Funded Grants
I served as a PI on a $200,000.00 project funded by the Department of Energy on the Optimization and scale-up of a process for the production of a bio-pesticide. I also serve as a CO-PI on a $195,000.00 project funded by USDA on computer literacy and teaching enhancement program for farmers and rural residents.  I am also an Investigator on the $1.4 million DOD grant.

Research Team
My team currently consists of the following members:
Jimmie Garthe (Technician)
John Samuel (student)
Tyler Williams (student)
Elisha Odoom (student)

Student Research Supervision
In the last 3 years I have trained and supervised   following undergraduate students on the conduct and presentation of scientific research projects: Katie Pruitt, Alishia Cox, Danielle McIntosh, Denice Long, John Samuel, LaChrista Porter, and Mickeya Brown. I am currently supervising the following students on different projects involving the use of agricultural wastes for filtration of contaminants in wastewater: John Samuel, Tyler Williams, and Elisha Odoom