Mr.Mulat Erkihun | Immunology and Microbiology | Best Scholar Award

Published on by Phenomenological Research Awards

Mr.  Mulat Erkihun | Immunology and Microbiology | Best Scholar Award

lecturer at Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia.

Mulat Erkihun Agaje is a distinguished Ethiopian medical microbiologist, educator, and clinical researcher with a strong commitment to combating infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. With a dual role as a lecturer at Debre Tabor University and a clinical microbiologist at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, he bridges academic research with real-world healthcare solutions. His career reflects a passion for medical science, community impact, and advancing diagnostic microbiology.

Profile:

🎓 Education:

Mulat holds a Master of Science in Medical Microbiology (2019) from Bahir Dar University, where he graduated with Very Great Distinction. His M.Sc. coursework focused on advanced virology, bacteriology, immunology, microbial genetics, and hospital infection control. His thesis investigated the antimicrobial resistance profile of Helicobacter pylori in patients with gastric diseases. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (2016) from Haramaya University, again graduating with Very Great Distinction. Both programs were conducted in English and included research components.

Professional Experience:

With over eight years of clinical and academic experience, Mulat began his journey as a medical laboratory technologist and then a clinical microbiologist at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Since 2022, he has served as a lecturer and researcher at Debre Tabor University, where he teaches medical students, supervises research, develops curricula, and provides microbiological services in the affiliated hospital. He has also led quality assurance, community outreach, and strategic laboratory improvements using Lean and Six Sigma approaches.

Research Interests:

Mulat’s research spans a broad spectrum of medical microbiology. His core interests include pathogenesis of infectious diseases, molecular diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, microbial genetics, and the use of nanomaterials in medical applications. He also explores biofilm formation, quorum sensing, vaccine development, and molecular etiology of diseases using PCR and microarray technologies. His multidisciplinary focus contributes to both fundamental science and clinical application.

Awards & Recognition:

Mulat is a recipient of multiple Best Researcher Awards from reputable international platforms in the fields of nanobiotechnology, immunology, and medical microbiology. These awards recognize his outstanding contribution to science, impactful publications, and innovative research on infectious disease management and antimicrobial resistance.

Editorial Activities:

Mulat is an active peer reviewer for leading journals including PLoS ONE, Scientific Reports, and Heliyon. His expertise is sought for evaluating manuscripts on infectious diseases, tuberculosis, and bacterial pathogenesis. His reviewing role showcases his standing in the global microbiological research community.

Professional Memberships:

He is a proud member of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), Ethiopian Medical Laboratory Association, Health Professionals Association, and Ethiopian Teachers Association. These affiliations support his commitment to continuous learning and global collaboration.

Publications:

  • Erkihun, M., Asmare, Z., Endalamaw, K., Getie, B., Kiros, T., & Berhan, A. (2024). Medical scope of biofilm and quorum sensing during biofilm formation: Systematic review. Bacteria, 3(3), 118–135.
    [Cited by: 19]

  • Asmare, Z., & Erkihun, M. (2023). Recent application of DNA microarray techniques to diagnose infectious disease. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine International, 77–82.
    [Cited by: 10]

  • Erkihun, M., Ayele, B., Asmare, Z., & Endalamaw, K. (2024). Current Updates on Variants of SARS‐CoV‐2: Systematic Review. Health Science Reports, 7(11), e70166.
    [Cited by: 9]

  • Asmare, Z., Erkihun, M., Abebe, W., Ashagre, A., Misganaw, T., & Feleke, S. F. (2024). Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Infection, Disease & Health, 29(3), 172–179.
    [Cited by: 9]

  • Berhan, A., Almaw, A., Solomon, Y., Legese, B., Damtie, S., Erkihun, M., et al. (2023). Tuberculosis treatment outcome and associated factors among tuberculosis patients linked to tuberculosis treatment clinics in Ethiopia, 2023: A multi-center retrospective study. Infection and Drug Resistance, 3367–3378.
    [Cited by: 9]

  • Asmare, Z., Erkihun, M., Abebe, W., & Tamrat, E. (2024). Antimicrobial resistance and ESBL production in uropathogenic Escherichia coli: A systematic review and meta-analysis in Ethiopia. JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, 6(3), dlae068.
    [Cited by: 5]

  • Kiros, T., Erkihun, M., Wondmagegn, M., Almaw, A., Assefa, A., Berhan, A., et al. (2025). Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Associated Factors of Mpox Among Healthcare Professionals at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024: A cross-sectional study. Health Science Reports, 8(1), e70371.
    [Cited by: 3]

  • Berhan, A., Damtie, S., Almaw, A., Legese, B., Sharew, B., Getie, B., Erkihun, M., et al. (2024). The role of extracorporeal photopheresis in the management of graft versus host disease: Narrative review. ImmunoTargets and Therapy, 235–246.
    [Cited by: 3]

  • Endalamaw, K., Tadesse, S., Asmare, Z., Kebede, D., Erkihun, M., & Abera, B. (2024). Antimicrobial resistance profile of bacteria from hospital wastewater at two specialized hospitals in Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia. BMC Microbiology, 24(1), 525.
    [Cited by: 3]

  • Erkihun, M., Chanie, D. N., & Siraj, Y. A. (2023). Antimicrobial‐Resistance Profile of Helicobacter pylori, Obtained from Endoscopic Patients in Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia. Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, 2023, Article ID 3615843.
    [Cited by: 3]

Nyambane Ontita | Microbiology | Outstanding Scientist Award

Published on by Phenomenological Research Awards

Dr. Nyambane Ontita | Microbiology | Outstanding Scientist Award

Researcher at Central South University, Kenya.

Nyambane Clive Ontita 🇰🇪 is a passionate environmental microbiologist 🌱 specializing in microbe-mineral interactions, bioelectrochemical systems ⚡, and resource recovery from industrial waste streams ♻️. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Central South University, China 🇨🇳, Clive focuses on innovative microbial strategies for rare earth element (REE) recovery and pollutant degradation from wastewater 🧪. With over a decade of combined teaching 🎓 and research experience, he bridges science and sustainability in real-world applications. His international exposure 🌍, impactful publications 📚, and hands-on technical skills in environmental analytics and microbial technologies make him a rising figure in green research. Clive is dedicated to interdisciplinary collaboration 🤝 and is driven by a mission to create sustainable, microbially-driven technologies that support clean industry and circular economies 🌎.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Suitability For Outstanding Scientist Award – Dr. Nyambane Ontita

Nyambane Ontita stands out as a committed, innovative, and impactful environmental microbiologist with a decade-long career dedicated to sustainable scientific solutions. His interdisciplinary expertise, combining microbiology, environmental engineering, and materials science, aligns strongly with the core values of the Outstanding Scientist Award—scientific excellence, innovation, real-world impact, and leadership in research.

Education

Clive holds a Ph.D. (ongoing) in Environmental Microbiology 🧫 from Central South University, China 🇨🇳, where he specializes in microbial electrochemical systems and metal recovery. He earned his Master’s degree in Microbiology 🧪 from Kenyatta University, Nairobi 🇰🇪, in 2015, focusing on clinical and environmental microbiology. He began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Education (Biology and Agriculture) 🌾 from Bugema University, Uganda 🇺🇬, in 2010. His educational path reflects a strong foundation in biological sciences, environmental health, and sustainable agriculture 🌿. With a mix of African and international education, Clive is well-equipped to tackle global environmental challenges using science and innovation 💡.

Experience

Clive has diverse professional experience in academia and research 🔬. Currently, he is a doctoral researcher at Central South University, China 🇨🇳, investigating bioelectrochemical methods for rare earth element recovery and wastewater treatment 💧. He previously served as a part-time lecturer 🧑‍🏫 at Kisii University and JKUAT in Kenya 🇰🇪, where he taught microbiology and supervised student research for over six years 📘. In 2015, he worked as a graduate researcher at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital 🏥, exploring clinical microbiology and antibiotic resistance. His extensive experience includes reactor operation, microbial analysis, and mentorship, positioning him as a skilled educator, researcher, and problem solver 🤝.

Professional Development

Clive is committed to lifelong learning and growth through research and collaboration 📚. He actively participates in international workshops and training programs 🌍, including the AITC course on Carbon Neutrality held in Bangkok (2024) 🌱, and the Graduate Innovation Forum on Low-Carbon Metal Resource Utilization in China (2023) 🌐. His continuous development in cutting-edge techniques like qPCR, bioinformatics 🧬, and surface analytics ensures he remains at the forefront of environmental biotechnology 🔬. Through conferences, academic networking 🤝, and cross-border collaborations, Clive refines his skills and contributes meaningfully to global sustainability conversations 🌎. His ability to merge theory with practical innovation positions him as a leader in his field 🚀.

Research Focus Category

Clive’s research is centered around Environmental Biotechnology 🌍 and Sustainable Resource Recovery 🔄. His work lies at the intersection of microbiology 🧫, environmental engineering 🛠️, and materials science 🧱. He focuses on developing bioelectrochemical systems (BES) to recover rare earth elements like Ce, La, and Gd from mining and industrial wastewater 🧪. Additionally, he investigates microbial processes for the degradation of emerging contaminants and biostabilization of mine waste ⛏️. His research addresses urgent environmental issues like pollution, resource scarcity, and clean energy transitions ⚡. Clive’s contribution directly supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water), 9 (Industry Innovation), and 13 (Climate Action) 🌿, placing him in the category of applied environmental science with real-world impact 🌎.

Research Skill Category

Clive possesses a wide range of high-level technical and analytical research skills 🔍. His core proficiencies include molecular biology techniques like DNA extraction, qPCR, and 16S rRNA sequencing 🧬, and bioinformatics tools such as PICRUSt for microbial pathway prediction 💻. He’s highly experienced with environmental analytics—operating tools like XPS, FTIR, SEM, XRD, and ICP-OES for metal speciation and surface characterization 🔬. Clive also designs and operates bioelectrochemical systems for pollutant degradation and metal recovery ⚙️. His expertise spans data analysis using SPSS, OriginLab, and GraphPad Prism 📊. His skillset is well-suited for complex, interdisciplinary research requiring precision, innovation, and scalability in environmental microbiology and process engineering 🌱.

Awards & Honors

Clive’s excellence has been recognized through several academic honors 🥇. He was awarded Best Research Student (2024) at Central South University 🇨🇳, acknowledging his innovative work in microbial electrochemical systems. In 2022, he also earned the Best Research Group Presenter title for his impactful research presentations and scientific communication skills 🎤. These awards reflect his dedication, academic leadership, and ability to translate complex research into practical, sustainable solutions 🌿. Clive continues to gain recognition as a rising environmental scientist with a strong academic and research trajectory.

Publication Top Notes

1. High‑efficiency nitrogen removal by cold‑tolerant bacteria consortium at low temperatures

  • Journal: Bioresource Technology

  • Publication Date: June 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132816

  • Authors: Y. Xu; N. C. Ontita; W. Zeng; J. Huang; L. Jiang; X. Huang; Q. Li; P. Hu

  • Summary: Demonstrates effective nitrogen removal via a cold-tolerant bacterial consortium in low-temperature wastewater conditions—critical for improving treatment in cold climates.

2. Mechanistic Insights into Biphasic Effects of Ce(III) on Anode Biofilms…

  • Journal: Water, Air, & Soil Pollution

  • Publication Date: June 2025

  • DOI: 10.1007/s11270-025-08175-9

  • Authors: N. C. Ontita; C. Amanze; R. Anaman; X. Shanshan; F. Kwofie; P. A. Tetteh; W. Zeng

  • Summary: Investigates how Ce(III) exhibits dual roles—enhancing or inhibiting—on anode biofilms in bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment, offering mechanistic insights for optimizing industrial systems.

3. Substrate‑mediated enhancement of bioelectrochemical systems for sustainable rare earth element recovery…

  • Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering

  • Publication Date: June 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.108199

  • Authors: N. C. Ontita; R. Anaman; C. Amanze; H. N. Nyangweso; W. Zeng

  • Summary: Presents substrate-based strategies to improve bioelectrochemical recovery of rare earth elements from mining wastewater—a sustainable alternative to conventional mining.

4. Electrochemically active biofilms responses to gadolinium stress during wastewater treatment…

  • Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

  • Publication Date: March 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137941

  • Authors: N. C. Ontita; R. Anaman; E. K. Sarkodie; Y. Wang; A. H. Bichi; X. Shanshan; H. N. Nyangweso; Y. Xu; C. Amanze; N. E. H. Bouroubi et al.

  •  Summary: Analyzes how gadolinium (Gd) stress affects electrochemically active biofilms, informing risk-mitigation strategies in wastewater systems using imposed bioelectrochemical processes.

5. Isolation and Whole‑genome analysis of Desmodesmus sp. SZ‑1: Novel acid‑tolerant carbon‑fixing microalga

  • Journal: Bioresource Technology

  • Publication Date: December 2024

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131572

  • Authors: Y. Wang; A. Liu; C. Amanze; N. C. Ontita; W. Zeng

  • Citations: 34

  •  Summary: Presents a novel acid-tolerant, carbon-fixing microalga with whole-genome analysis, offering potential for bioindustrial CO₂ sequestration and bioresource development.

6. Insights into anode substrate optimization in bioelectrochemical systems for efficient cathodic lanthanum recovery…

  • Journal: Journal of Water Process Engineering

  • Publication Date: September 2024

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106003

  • Authors: N. C. Ontita; E. K. Sarkodie; R. Anaman; Y. H. Tang; W. Zeng

  • Summary: Explores tailored anode substrates for enhanced cathodic lanthanum recovery—paving the way for valuable metal recovery in wastewater treatment.

Conclusion

Nyambane Ontita is an ideal candidate for the Outstanding Scientist Award. His impactful and innovative contributions to environmental microbiology and sustainable technology—coupled with strong technical capability, leadership potential, and international collaboration—exemplify the spirit of this honor. His work not only advances scientific understanding but also delivers practical solutions for cleaner industries and a more sustainable planet.