Ujor Laboratory

Victor C. Ujor, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Fermentation Science

B115 Babcock Hall
ujor@wisc.edu
608-263-5144
Fax: 608-262-6872

Education

My research interests are in the areas of sustainable biomanufacturing, unravelling metabolic bottlenecks that limit microbial production of fuels and chemicals, synthetic biology towards enhanced production of bio-chemicals, and improving and deploying the metabolic dexterity of microbial systems to mop up excess nutrients in waste streams, while producing important chemicals. As the global population increases, it becomes increasingly important to develop sustainable technologies for producing chemicals that drive our industries while exerting significant influences on food production and processing. Further, growing concerns over climate change and its impact on water supply call for advanced measures to recover water from currently untreated waste streams. Bio-based systems hold considerable promise towards meeting these goals. My overarching research goal is to contribute towards sustainable production of value-added chemicals, whilst ensuring that effluents with benign impacts on the environment are generated. Asides research, I am an avid football (soccer) fan-yes I am passionate supporter of Chelsea football Club of London, England (the best football team in the world). Also, I enjoy travelling, reading and spending time with my family-i.e., indoctrinating my son into the Chelsea family.

Omoaruemike Okereke, Ph.D.

Research Specialist, Postdoc

I hold bachelor’s, masters’ and doctorate degrees in Biochemistry from Delta State University Abraka (2004), University of Ibadan (2008) and Federal University of Technology Minna (2017) respectively, in Nigeria. I also have postdoctoral training in microbial engineering and enzyme research at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi India. The concept of manipulating organisms to amplify the production of valuable primary and secondary metabolites is one area of research in biotechnology that fascinates me. Previously I have worked on the production and characterization of cellulases from macrofungi. Additionally, I have taken part in genetic engineering of a ‘non-model’ hypercellulolytic fungus, Penicillium funiculosum, to produce an efficient beta-glucosidase for the degradation of cellulosic biomass. My current research involves the bioconversion of low-cost wastes to value-added products and chemicals using genome editing tools and fermentation technology. Specifically, I am utilizing the CRISPR/Cas tool to engineer Clostridium spp. to efficiently convert whey permeate to butanol and other bulk chemicals. Overall, my research goal is to deliver sustainable solutions to real-world challenges with molecular biology tools and fermentation technology.

Besides research, I enjoy bicycle riding, hiking with friends and listening to music. I also love spending time with my family.

Publications

Okereke, O. E., Gupta, M., Ogunyewo, O. A., Sharma, K., Kapoor, S., Sinha, T., & Yazdani, S. S. (2023). Profiling of the β-glucosidases identified in the genome of Penicillium funiculosum: insights from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and homology-modeling studies. Applied and environmental microbiology, 89(9), e00704-23.

Ogunyewo, O. A., Okereke, O. E., Kumar, S., & Yazdani, S. S. (2022). Characterization of a GH5 endoxylanase from Penicillium funiculosum and its synergism with GH16 endo-1, 3 (4)-glucanase in saccharification of sugarcane bagasse. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 17219.

Ogunyewo, O. A., Upadhyay, P., Rajacharya, G. H., Okereke, O. E., Faas, L., Gómez, L. D., … & Yazdani, S. S. (2021). Accessory enzymes of hypercellulolytic Penicillium funiculosum facilitate complete saccharification of sugarcane bagasse. Biotechnology for biofuels, 14, 1-17.

Okereke, O. E., Akanya, H. O., & Egwim, E. C. (2017). Purification and characterization of an acidophilic cellulase from Pleurotus ostreatus and its potential for agrowastes valorization. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 12, 253-259.

Ademola Duduyemi, Ph.D.

Research Specialist, Postdoc

I hold a Bachelor’s degree (2012) in Agricultural and Bio-Resources Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree (2015) in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Additionally, I earned a doctorate from The Ohio State University, USA (2024), with a focus on bioprocessing and biotechnology.

My research interest is centered on advancing a circular economy by utilizing agricultural and industrial wastes as low-cost substrates for the sustainable and cleaner production of biofuels and platform chemicals. I am particularly passionate about applying engineering and statistical methodologies to optimize fermentation processes for the efficient production of value-added chemicals.

In my free time, I enjoy photography, embarking on road trips for long-distance drives to clear my mind, and playing the talking drum.

Publications

Okonkwo, C. C., Duduyemi, A., Ujor, V. C., Atiyeh, H. K., Iloba, I., Qureshi, N., & Ezeji, T. C. (2022). From agricultural wastes to fermentation nutrients: a case study of 2, 3-Butanediol production. Fermentation, 9(1), 36.

Aremu, A. K., & Duduyemi, A. S. (2015). Moisture-Dependent Physical Properties of Àbèèrè (Picralima nitida) Seeds. Arid Zone Journal of Engineering Technology and Environment/Arid Zone Journal of Engineering Technology and Environment, 11, 24–36.

Eric Agyeman-Duah

Ph.D. Candidate

I obtained a master degree in Molecular Medicine from the University of Ulm, Germany (2020), and a BSc. in Biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana (2016). Currently, I am working on engineering robust microbial strains with enhanced capacity to produce biofuels and chemicals from low-cost agricultural residues. I am using the CRISPR/Cas system to construct target microbial strains.

Asides research, I have a huge passion for soccer, rap music, and watching historical movies/documentaries.

Marian Awaga-Cromwell

M.S. Candidate

Education

My research focuses on using the CRISPR/Cas 9 to engineer microbial strains that can efficiently utilize cheap feedstocks to produce succinate.

When I am not engaged in research, I enjoy reading, photographing landscapes and scenery, and taking walks.

Adan Gonzalez

Undergraduate Student

I am an undergraduate studying food science. My career goals include innovation and new product development of healthier and sustainable foods. I am enjoying working in the Ujor lab learning how to create cell factories that can produce biofuels from renewable low-cost sources with a team focused on developing sustainable solutions to increasing energy demands.

I was born in New York City but raised in Houston, Texas, where I enjoyed both city and country life. In town, we enjoyed exploring a vibrant and diverse food scene; on weekends at our family farm we grew vegetables and raised livestock. Food moves me.

When not studying or in the lab, you can find me working out or hanging out with my friends. I enjoy lacrosse and basketball and watching movies.

Andrew Zierath

Undergraduate Student

I am a third year Food Science Major here at UW-Madison.

I am currently working on a research project that aims to engineer Clostridium beijerenckii to produce propane-1,2-diol (propylene glycol). The project utilizes CRISPR-Cas9 recombination and site-directed mutagenesis systems to alter the expression of targeted genes, in hopes of shifting carbon flow towards our desired product. If successful, this would provide a more sustainable, efficient and cheaper way to mass produce propylene glycol.

For a period of time, I was interested in becoming a research chef (a career that combines the Food Science field and the Culinary Arts). However, over the past year, I have found new interests in the biochemical side of Food Science. Currently, I wish to expand my knowledge of the biological sciences. I do not know what my future research will entail or involve, but regardless of where I end up, I wish to increase the sustainability of the food industry in any way I can.

Besides cooking, my interests and hobbies outside of my classes and the lab include golfing, playing video games, watching YouTube, hanging out with friends, obsessing over the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and learning about theoretical physics and astrobiology.

Steven Hsieh

Undergraduate Student

I am a second-year undergraduate studying Biology. I am interested in many aspects of life sciences, including microbiology, genetics, and now food sciences! Currently, my research project aims to improve the production of 1,2-propanediol by Clostridium tyrobutyricum, mainly through engineering its fermentation pathways.

Outside the lab, I enjoy cycling, running, and playing/watching football (soccer)! I also have several music-related hobbies, such as playing the piano and singing in a barbership quartet!