Microbiologist
Resume:
JAMES OWUSU-KWARTENG, PH.D.
Curriculum vitae
PERMANENT ADDRESS: PRESENT WORK ADDRESS:
C/o P. O. Box 2 UDS, Department of Applied Biology
Nkoranza B/A, Ghana P. O. Box 24, Navrongo-Campus, Ghana
Ghana +233-********* (cell)
**************@*****.**.**
EDUCATION
2010-2013 PhD in Food Science University of Ghana, Legon-Accra
2007-2009 MPhil in Food Science University of Ghana, Legon-Accra
2002-2006 BSc. (Hon.) Applied Biology University for Development Studies, Ghana
1999-2001 SSSCE certificate Techiman Senior High School, Ghana
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
2010 Certificate in Advanced Food Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Life
Sciences, Food Microbiology, Copenhagen Denmark.
2007 Certificate in Human Participants Protection Education for Research Teams, U.S National
Institute of Health, USA.
RELEVANT ACADEMIC AWARDS/GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS
2014 International Union of Microbiological Societies Travel Award to attend the IUMS congress
from the 27th July to 1st August, 2014 in Montreal, Canada
2010-2013 DANIDA Fellowship for the study of PhD degree through capacity building project
2007-2009 DANIDA Fellowship for the study of MPhil degree through capacity building project
1999-2001 Ghana Government Merit Scholarship for Best Science Student, Senior High School
Education, Techiman, Ghana
THESES
PhD. Thesis: ‘Molecular diversity and technological properties of predominant
2013
microorganisms associated with the processing of millet into fura, a fermented food in
Ghana’. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Legon Ghana
MPhil. Thesis: ‘Product characterization and microbiology of fura processed in Northern
2009
Ghana’. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Legon Ghana
BSc. Project: ‘Microbiological Study of fura, a millet-based fermented food drink of
2006
Northern Ghana’. University for Development Studies, Ghana.
CV: DR. J. OWUSU-KWARTENG 1
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY/PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2011-present Lecturer, Department of Applied Biology, University for Development Studies, Navrongo,
Ghana. Responsible for curriculum development/updating, teaching of undergraduate
courses in General Biology, Microbiology and Biotechnology, and supervision of students’
project work.
2007-2011 Senior Research Assistant, Department of Applied Biology, University for Development
Studies, Navrongo, Ghana. Assisted in research in microbiology related courses, handled
food microbiology laboratory sessions, assisted in the operations of laboratory equipment,
demonstrations at laboratory practical sessions, and assisted in undergraduate tutorial
classes.
2006-2007 Teaching Assistant, on National Service Assignment, Department of Applied Biology,
University for Development Studies, Navrongo. Assisted in research in microbiology related
courses, handled food microbiology laboratory sessions and assisted in the operations of
laboratory equipment
2005 Internship at the Food Research Institute, Microbiology division, Accra. Involved in
microbiological analysis of food samples for certification and quality assurance purposes.
SCIENTIFIC PROJECTS/GRANTS AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2014-date Local Responsible Party, University for Development Studies/DANIDA
FFU Project, a 4 years (1st January 2014 – 31st December 2017) project titled ‘Preserving
African Food Microorganisms for Green Growth’. The DANIDA funded project is a
collaboration between four institutions from three West-African countries (Ghana, Benin
and Burkina Faso) and two institutions (The University of Copenhagen and Danish
Technological Institute) from Denmark. The project, led by Prof. Lene Jespersen (principal
responsible party), aims at characterizing microorganisms from fermented foods and
preserving them in ‘biobanks’ in the participating African institutions to serve as culture
collections for microorganisms for further research and development into starter cultures for
the production of fermented foods in an environmentally friendly manner. The project also
has a capacity building component for the training of 4 PhDs and several masters’ students.
2009-2011 Guest Scientist/PhD student, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food Science,
Food Microbiology Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederikberg C, Denmark. Responsible for
carrying out molecular characterization and identification of microorganisms involved in
millet fermentation under DANIDA fellowship as part of PhD studies. The work in
Denmark was under the supervision of Prof. Lene Jespersen.
CV: DR. J. OWUSU-KWARTENG 2
2006-2012 Scientist and project management member: University for Development Studies (UDS)
and DANIDA sponsored project on “Capability Building for Research and Quality
Assurance in African Traditional Fermented Foods”. Project brought together International
Research Team from countries including Ghana, Burkina-Faso, Benin, and Denmark.
Through the project, studies have been carried out on the processing, Molecular
characterization of associated microorganisms, fermentation, biochemistry and safety of
fermented millet, milk, silk cotton seeds, baobab seeds condiments and Parkia spp.
(dawadawa) for improved nutrition, safety and overall food security. Several journal
publications and conference papers resulted from the project. The project was under the
supervision of Prof. Mogens Jakobsen as the principal responsible party.
PUBLICATIONS IN PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS
1. J. Owusu-Kwarteng, R. O. Nanewortor, F. Akabanda (2014). Survival of acid-adapted Salmonella
typhimurium in fermented millet and acidified broth at different storage temperatures. Food Science
and Quality Management 24: 24-31.http://www.iiste.org
2. J. Owusu-Kwarteng and F. Akabanda (2014). Soybean fortification of maasa: a Ghanaian
traditional millet-based fermented cake. Canadian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences 8(1): 2733-
2738. http://www.cjpas.net
3. J. Owusu-Kwarteng and F. Akabanda (2013). Applicability of nixtamalization in the processing of
millet-based maasa, a fermented food in Ghana. Journal of Food Research 2(1): 59-65.
dx.doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v2n1p59
4. J. Owusu-Kwarteng, K. Tano-Debrah, F. Akabanda, D. S. Nielsen, L. Jespersen (2013). Partial
characterization of bacteriocins produced by Lactobacillus reuteri 2-20B and Pediococcus
acidilactici 0-11A isolated from fura, a millet-based fermented food in Ghana. Journal of Food
Research 2(1): 50-58. dx.doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v2n1p50
5. F. Akabanda, J. Owusu-Kwarteng, K. Tano-Debrah, R. L. K. Glover, D. S. Nielsen, L. Jespersen
(2013). Taxonomic and molecular characterization of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in nunu, a
Ghanaian fermented milk product. Food Microbiology 34: 277-285.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2012.09.025
6. L. L. Pedersen, J. Owusu-Kwarteng, L. Thorsen, L. Jespersen (2012). Biodiversity and probiotic
potential of yeasts isolated from fura, a West African spontaneously fermented cereal. International
Journal of Food Microbiology 159: 144-151. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2012.08.016
7. J. Owusu-Kwarteng, F. Akabanda, D. S. Nielsen, K. Tano-Debrah, R. L. K. Glover, L. Jespersen
(2012). Identification of lactic acid bacteria isolated during traditional fura processing in Ghana.
Food Microbiology 32: 72-78. doi:10.1016/j.fm.2012.04.010. Available online at
www.elsevier.com/locate/fm
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8. F. Akabanda, J. Owusu-Kwarteng, R. L. K. Glover, K. Tano-Debrah (2010). Microbiological
characteristics of Ghanaian traditional fermented milk product, nunu. Nature and Science 8 (9): 178-
187. Available online at http://www.sciencepub.net/nature
9. J. Owusu-Kwarteng, K. Tano-Debrah, R. L. K. Glover, F. Akabanda (2010). Process
characteristics and microbiology of fura produced in Ghana. Nature and Science 8(8): 41-51.
Available online at http://www.sciencepub.net/nature
10. J. Owusu-Kwarteng, F. Akabanda and R. L. K. Glover (2010). Effect of soybean fortification on
fermentation characteristics and consumer acceptability of Hausa koko, a Ghanaian fermented
porridge. Journal of Applied Biosciences 28: 1712 – 1717. Available at www.bioscinces.elewa.org
CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS AND WORKSHOPS ATTENDED
1. James Owusu-Kwarteng, Kwaku Tano-Debrah, Fortune Akabanda, Lene Jespersen (2014).
‘Technological and probiotic properties of Lactobacillus fermentum isolated from fura, a West-
African fermented millet’, a poster presentation made at the International Union of Microbiological
Societies Congress in Montreal, Canada from 27th July to 1st August, 2014. Abstract number BAM-
PW1018.
2. L. L. Pedersen, J. Owusu-Kwarteng, L. Thorsen, L. Jespersen (2011). ‘Biodiversity and health
benefits of yeasts isolated from fura- a West African fermented cereal based product’, plenary
lecture (I-O-05) delivered at the 29th International Specialised Symposium on Yeasts (ISSY) held at
Guadalajara, Mexico from 29th August to 2nd September, 2011.
3. J. Owusu-Kwarteng, K. Tano-Debrah, R. L. K. Glover, F. Akabanda, D.S. Nielsen, L. Jespersen
(2010). ‘Diversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Fura Produced in Ghana’, poster
presentation made at the 22nd International ICFMH symposium, Foodmicro 2010, on ‘Microbial
behavior in the food chain’ held at the Bella Center in the Oresund region, Denmark from 30th Aug,
to 3rd Sep, 2010. Published in the book of abstracts (Abstract number PEA 1.36).
4. F. Akabanda, K. Tano-Debrah, R. L. K. Glover, J. Owusu-Kwarteng, D.S. Nielsen, L. Jespersen
(2010). ‘Microbiological Study of nunu, a spontaneously fermented milk in Ghana’, poster
presentation made at the 22nd International ICFMH symposium, Foodmicro 2010, on ‘Microbial
behavior in the food chain’ held at the Bella Center in the Oresund region, Denmark from 30th
August to 3rd September, 2010. Published in the book of abstracts (Abstract number PEA 1.37).
5. J. Owusu-Kwarteng (Participant), European Union (EU) Seminar on ‘PathogenCombat,
ProSafeBeef, and Biotracer’, held at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, on 3rd September,
2010.
6. J. Owusu-Kwarteng (Participant), International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene
(ICFMH) workshop on ‘Value added processing of indigenous African fermented foods’, held at the
University of Copenhagen, Denmark on 30th August, 2010.
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7. J. Owusu-Kwarteng (2009). ‘Microbiological Study of fura in Northern Ghana’, Oral presentation
made at the 8th International Seminar on “Value-Added Processing of African Traditional Fermented
Foods for Improved Quality and Food safety” held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 16th to 19th
February, 2009.
8. J. Owusu-Kwarteng (Resource person), ‘Research Proposal Development and Sourcing of Funds
for Academic Research’. A Presentation delivered to the Biological Sciences Students Association
of Ghana held at Navrongo Campus UDS, Ghana on 3rd October, 2008.
9. J. Owusu-Kwarteng (participant), ‘Health – A key to sustainable Development in Ghana, The role
of the Ghanaian Youth’, African Youth Forum on Science and Technology – Ghana Chapter in-
Country follow up workshop, UDS Navrongo, March 2007.
10. J. Owusu-Kwarteng (participant), ‘Food Security and Health for Sustainable Development in
Africa – Perspective from the Youth’, Proceedings of the 2nd African Regional Youth Congress on
Science and Technology, Accra-Ghana, June 2006.
TEACHING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
A. Courses taught (Since 2011) Credits Level Self-developed synopsis
1. BIO 437: Food and Beverages Biotechnology 2 400 yes
2. BIO 335: Enzyme Biotechnology 2 300 yes
3. BIO 435: Advanced Food Microbiology 3 400 No
4. BIO 336: Intro. to Indigenous fermented foods 2 400 yes
5. BIO 231: Basic Microbiology 3 200 No
6. BIO 436: Environmental Biotechnology 2 400 yes
7. BIO 334: Industrial Microbiology 3 300 No
B. Theses/Projects Supervised
1. Undergraduates (43)
2. Postgraduate (none)
C. Additional Responsibilities as a lecturer
1. Co-ordinator of Departmental Research and Seminars, UDS-Applied Biology (Since Sept, 2011)
2. Curriculum development for some undergraduate courses and postgraduate degree programs -
MPhil/MSc. in Food Science and Applied Microbiology for the Department of Applied Biology,
University for Development Studies.
3. Microbiologist for University for Developments Studies/Ghana Food and Drugs Board (UDS/FDB)
collaboration on microbiological analysis of food, water and herbal products in Northern Ghana to
facilitate products certification. (Since September, 2011)
CV: DR. J. OWUSU-KWARTENG 5
D. Co-curricular activities, community services and leadership roles
1. Reviewer, Journal of Dairy Science, a publication of the American Dairy Science Association.
(2013)
2. Patron, National Union of Anglican Student (NUAS), UDS-Navrongo
3. Patron, Brong-Ahafo Students Union (BASU), UDS-Navrongo
4. Third Trimester Field Practical programme: Community based studies and development
programme of the UDS. Kalsagre community in Lawra Upper East Region of Ghana (8 weeks each
year; 2002-2005), as part of undergraduate curriculum of the University for Development Studies.
5. President and Founding Member, Biological Sciences Students Association of Ghana, University
for Development Studies (2003-2005 academic sessions)
6. Secretary, Akan Students Union, University for Development Studies (2004/2005 academic
session)
7. Disciplinary Committee Member, Student Representative Council and National Union Ghana
Students, University for Development Studies (2004/2005 academic session)
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS
1. Member, Ghana Science Association (GSA). Full member since April, 2011
2. Member, University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG). Full member since July, 2011
INTERESTS
1. Beekeeping (keeps about 50 bee-hives situated in cashew plantations in Nkoranza, B/A, Ghana)
2. Plays table tennis
3. Music (plays guitar in my local church)
REFERENCES
1. Professor Kwaku Tano-Debrah
Department of Nutrition and Food Science
University of Ghana, Legon
Accra-Ghana
*******@*****.***; *******@**.***.**
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2. Dr. Firibu K. Saalia
Department of Nutrition and Food Science
University of Ghana, Legon
Accra-Ghana
*******@**.***.**
3. Dr. Richard L. K. Glover
International Council for Science (ICSU)-Regional Office for Africa
1st Floor Block C, The Woods
41 De Havilland
Pretoria 0020, South Africa
+27-12-394-****; +27-73-474-****
*********@*****.***
CERTIFICATION
I certify that every information provided in this CV is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Last updated
August, 2014.
CV: DR. J. OWUSU-KWARTENG 7
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