Victor Ujor

Victor Ujor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, affiliated with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. He leads the Ujor Laboratory, which focuses on sustainable biomanufacturing through metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and fermentation science. His research targets the bioconversion of agricultural and industrial waste residues—such as whey permeate, lignocellulosic biomass, anaerobic digestate, and glycerol—into renewable fuels, biochemicals, and sustainable materials.

His educational background includes a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology from the University of Westminster, London, and a B.Sc. in Applied Microbiology and Brewing from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria. He previously served as a Postdoctoral Researcher and Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio.

Dr. Ujor’s research interests center on engineering microbial cell factories using CRISPR/Cas and other molecular tools to enhance production of bio-based chemicals and improve tolerance in industrial microbes. He investigates metabolic bottlenecks and regulatory networks that limit biosynthesis, aiming to develop robust strains for efficient bioproduction. His lab also explores nutrient recovery from recalcitrant effluents to support water sustainability.

Although specific publications are not listed in the provided text, the research output of the Ujor Lab spans synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, fermentation optimization, and waste valorization, with applications in biofuels, industrial polymers, and environmental remediation.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Hilldale Scholarship Award (2025) – awarded to lab member Steven Hsieh
• Sophomore Research Fellowship – awarded to lab member Steven Hsieh

Dr. Ujor mentors a diverse team of graduate and undergraduate researchers, including PhD and MS students in Food Science. His lab receives research support through institutional and competitive funding, enabling projects in sustainable bioprocessing and microbial engineering. He emphasizes training the next generation of scientists in molecular biology, fermentation technology, and sustainable innovation.

Laboratory and Research Team: The Ujor Laboratory includes postdoctoral fellows, research specialists, and students working on projects such as engineering Clostridium spp. for butanol and 1,2-propanediol production, optimizing fermentation processes, and repurposing industrial effluents. The lab collaborates with industry partners like Foremost Farms and engages in outreach and educational activities.