Speaker: Victor Ujor
Time: 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm CST
Venue: 206 Ingraham Hall
Join Zoom.
Talk Description
While the Western world and parts of Asia are experiencing unprecedented growth in biotechnology, fueled in part by advances in CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, synthetic biology, and related technologies, Africa remains significantly behind. The limited biotechnology presence on the continent stems from several interconnected challenges. First, unreliable electricity supplies make it difficult to conduct and sustain power-dependent biotechnology research and production. Second, investment in the biotechnology sector remains limited. Third, many countries lack the high-tech equipment, infrastructure, and specialized facilities required to support advanced biotechnology research and commercialization. Finally, there is limited awareness of biotechnology opportunities and, consequently, a shortage of trained personnel capable of advancing the field. A fundamental approach to addressing this gap is to expose students to practical, low-cost biotechnology opportunities that are particularly relevant to African needs and markets. Providing targeted training in these areas can generate interest, build technical capacity, and ultimately stimulate the development of locally relevant businesses and technologies. Importantly, these lower-tech applications can serve as entry points for developing a broader biotechnology ecosystem and, over time, create the foundation for more sophisticated biotechnology capabilities on the continent. In line with this approach, we have provided training to undergraduate students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja (formerly the University of Abuja), in a range of biotechnology and bioconversion applications. These include mushroom production, anaerobic digestion, algae cultivation, production of mycocomposites and other fungal-derived products, analytical techniques, bioconversion processes, and the characterization of cassava feedstocks and associated supply chains. To reinforce hands-on skill development, we have also established collaborations with research groups working on related topics, providing participating students with opportunities to gain practical experience in bioconversion and the valorization of agricultural and other waste streams. These efforts represent important foundational steps toward building a sustainable biotechnology ecosystem in the participating communities. The impact is already extending beyond training: some workshop participants have gone on to pursue commercial mushroom cultivation and biogas production. Such outcomes demonstrate that targeted, practical biotechnology education can translate directly into entrepreneurship, local employment, and economic activity. More importantly, these early ventures can serve as building blocks for a stronger biotechnology ecosystem, creating the skills, awareness, and entrepreneurial culture needed to support increasingly sophisticated biotechnology enterprises across Africa.
The event is free and open to the public.