Keynote Speakers Prof Justus Kwetegyeka
Born on July 12, 1962, in Uganda, earned my PhD from Makerere University, where I also completed a Master of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Education. My educational background includes additional qualifications from the University of Bristol, in both science and education. With over thirty years in academia, I began as a Teaching Assistant, advanced through various academic promotions, becoming an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Kyambogo University and where I am currently serving as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. I have made significant contributions to analytical chemistry and environmental science, focusing on environmental chemistry. My published work appears in reputable international journals, covering topics such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fatty acid profiles, and the impact of environmental contaminants on health. In addition I have supervised numerous graduate students and played a key role in academic and policy development at Kyambogo University. My involvement in thesis examinations and defenses at various institutions underscores my expertise and commitment to advancing knowledge in field of chemistry and education. Beyond my university roles, I serve on the National Multi-Sectoral Technical Committee for chemical management and chaired UNESCO’s International Basic Science Programme. Passionate about science education, I engage in outreach programmes to inspire young scholars in STEM education. My hobbies include reading scientific literature and participating in academic conferences, reflecting my dedication to continuous learning and research advancement. Dr Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, in 2006, where he researched the mosquito repellency properties of Hyptis suaveolens leaves under Prof. Victor Y. Atsu-Barko. He completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA, in 2013, under Professor Nathan A. Schnarr, focusing on developing tools to engineer polyketide synthases (PKSs)—the biosynthetic machinery for assembling polyketides. After his Ph.D., Lawrence returned to Ghana and joined the Department of Chemistry at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as a lecturer. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2018 and currently serves as the Assistant Laboratory Manager of the KNUST Central Laboratory, which houses advanced analytical instruments for research. In 2023, he was appointed Beidenharn Distinguished Visiting Associate Professor at the prestigious Wellesley College, USA. Lawrence’s research, supported by grants from the International Foundation for Science (IFS), The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), and DANIDA, explores the interface of chemistry and biology. His work spans Natural Products, Biomolecular Computations, and Environmental Chemistry. The Borquaye Research Group, which includes undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, currently comprises about 70 members and has produced approximately 60 peer-reviewed publications.
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