Dr. Sesan Abiodun Aransiola is an accomplished environmental microbiologist, academic leader, and postdoctoral research fellow whose work sits at the critical intersection of microbial biotechnology, waste management, and artificial intelligence. Currently serving as a Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at both the University of Abuja, Nigeria, Dr. Aransiola has built a distinguished career defined by innovative solutions for soil and water remediation, sustainable agriculture, and the bioremediation of pollutants. Dr. Aransiola earned his Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Master of Technology (MTech), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Environmental Microbiology from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. His doctoral training laid the foundation for a research agenda focused on leveraging biological systems to address environmental degradation. He has since demonstrated particular expertise in the production of vermicasts through the vermicomposting of organic wastes a technique he has harnessed to assist plants in the phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. His broader research portfolio spans environmental health, marine resources, and the bioremediation of diverse pollutants, consistently emphasizing practical, ecologically sound interventions. In a significant advancement of his research trajectory, Dr. Aransiola was awarded a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Multidisciplinary Innovation Studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA). There, he is engaged in cutting-edge research applying artificial intelligence to environmental monitoring and remediation, positioning him at the forefront of AI-driven sustainability science. Before his academic appointment, Dr. Aransiola rose to the rank of Assistant Chief Scientific Officer at the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NABDA) in Nigeria, where he pioneered the use of vinasse a by-product of ethanol production as a bio-fertilizer for reclaiming polluted agricultural soils. This industry-to-academia transition enriched his teaching and mentoring philosophy, which emphasizes real-world problem-solving. He has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students and remains actively involved in community service, translating research into local sustainability practices. Dr. Aransiola’s scholarly output is exceptional. He has authored or co-authored over 200 publications, including peer-reviewed research articles, review papers, and book chapters in journals of high international repute and impact. He has also co-edited more than 30 scientific books with globally recognized publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, CRC Press (Taylor & Francis), and Oxford University Press. His editorial leadership includes serving as a review editor and guest editor for two special issues: one with Elsevier’s Research in Microbiology on biofilms community structure, applications, and mitigation and another with Frontiers on the effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems. His contributions have earned multiple institutional research grants through TETFund and several awards of excellence. Notably, SciVal has listed him among the Top 500 authors by scholarly output in Nigeria for the period 2022–2026. Dr. Aransiola is an active member of the Nigerian Society for Microbiology, the Association of Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (affiliated with the International Association for Impact Assessment), and the American Society for Microbiology. Through his research, teaching, and service, Dr. Aransiola continues to drive meaningful change at the nexus of microbiology, environmental science, and emerging technologies.Dr. Bunmi Comfort Kotun is a Nigerian microbiologist and academic with specialization in food microbiology, mycology, and mycotoxicology. She obtained her B.Sc. in Microbiology (2004) from the University of Lagos and later earned both her M.Sc. in Food Microbiology (2008) and Ph.D. in Food Mycology (2017) from the University of Ibadan. Her doctoral research focused on investigating toxigenic moulds associated with millet grains from Southwestern Nigeria, with an emphasis on their implications for food safety and public health. Dr. Kotun currently serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Nigeria. In addition to her teaching and research responsibilities, she holds key administrative roles within the university. She is the Deputy Dean of the College of Pure and Applied Sciences, where she contributes to academic leadership, curriculum development, and student and faculty support. She also serves as the Director of the Centre for Research and Product Formation, coordinating research initiatives, promoting innovation, and facilitating the translation of research outputs into practical products and solutions. Dr. Kotun has actively contributed to university governance through her membership in two institutional committees, where she participates in academic planning, quality assurance, research development, and policy implementation aimed at strengthening institutional excellence. She has 33 publications, including book chapters, research, and review articles of good international. She has co-edited scientific books of global interest, which include Biotoxins in Food. Her research interests include Food Microbiology, Mycology, Mycotoxicology, Food Safety, Molecular Characterization of Microorganisms, and Microbial Research. Through her work, she contributes to advancing knowledge on fungal contamination of foods, mycotoxin risks, and improved microbiological safety of food products. Dr. Kotun is a member of several professional scientific bodies, including the Nigerian Society for Microbiology, the Mycological Society of Nigeria, the Association of Industrial Microbiologists of Nigeria, and the Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria. Her professional engagement with these organizations supports collaboration, research dissemination, and the advancement of microbiological sciences in Nigeria. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Kotun is a devoted wife and mother. She is happily married and blessed with lovely children, and she balances her academic career with strong family values. Her life reflects a commitment not only to scientific excellence and education but also to family, mentorship, and community development.Naga Raju Maddela received his M.Sc. (1996–1998) and Ph.D. (2012) in Microbiology from Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapuramu, India. During his doctoral program in the area of Environmental Microbiology, he investigated the effects of industrial effluents/insecticides on soil microorganisms and their biological activities and he is working as Faculty in Microbiology since 1998, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students. He worked on Prometeo Investigator (fellowship received from SENESCYT) at Universidad Estatal Amazónica, Ecuador during 2013-15, received "Postdoctoral Fellowship" (2016–2018) from Sun Yat-sen University, China. He also received external funding from "China Postdoctoral Science Foundation" in 2017, internal funding from "Universidad Técnica de Manabí" in 2020. He participated in national / international conferences, and presented research data in China, Cuba, Ecuador, India and Singapore. Currently, he is working as a Full Professor at the Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Ecuador. He has been actively publishing scientific articles, books (authored and edited) and chapters since 2007. As of now, he published 200 articles, 40 books and 50 book chapters.
