Modupe Felicia Adesina
1611 Huron street • London, Ontario N5V 3A4 • 226-777-5351 • 519-200-8744
m.adesina@gmail.com
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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Over 7 years research experience in the field of agronomy, soil microbial ecology, plant pathology,
bacteriology, plant-microbe interaction and biological disease control
Experience in microbiological techniques: all basic microbiological techniques and biochemical testing
Experience in study of microorganisms and their disease causing activities (e.g. Rhizotonia solani,
Fusarium oxysporum, Ralstonia solanacearum and Streptomyces scabies)
Experience in working with food crops (lettuce, potato and corn) and soil samples
Experience in technical writing, experimental design, results analysis and dissemination at scientific
meetings
Experience in post-secondary school teaching and managing students through provision of guidance to
strengthen their skills
Possess excellent administrative skills
Possess strong multi-tasking and interpersonal skills with relationship management
Excellent English proficiency, with strong written and oral communication skills
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop and PowerPoint presentation
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Plant Health and Field Work
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Soil and plant samples handling and storage
Growth-chamber, greenhouse and field work with various cropping systems
Insecticides, herbicides and Fertilizer application
Crop harvest and storage
Dual culture screening of bacteria for activity against plant pathogens
Plant inoculation with beneficial bacteria
Knowledge in mode of action of biological control agents, their interaction with plant host and
environment; and use as inoculants
Microbiology
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Bacterial and fungal isolation on general and specific media from different environmental samples by
dilution techniques
Microbial cultivation, enumeration, storage and maintenance
Preparation of general and selective media as well as laboratory reagents
Bacterial staining and biochemical analysis
Sterilization of laboratory equipment and tools
In vitro screening of bacterial isolates for antagonistic activity against plant pathogens by dual culture plate
assay and enzymatic activities
Inoculation of plant and soil with microbial culture
Isolation, extraction and purification of secondary metabolites from bacterial culture for High Performance
Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis
Microscopic observation of microbes
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Molecular Techniques
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DNA (plasmid and genomic) and RNA extraction from bacteria and environmental samples
DNA and RNA quantification on agarose gel and with spectrophotometer
Bacterial transformation and preparation of competent cells
PCR analysis – conventional PCR, Reverse transcriptase PCR, and Quantitative PCR; RFLP and ARDRA
Design of PCR primers and Taqman-probes
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) for analysis of microbial diversity and structure in
environmental samples
Southern blotting and probe formation
Gene cloning
Teaching
 Effective classroom teaching techniques
 Course outlines/curricula and materials development
 Students’ performance assessment
Computer
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Data analysis using Excel and SAS
Microsoft and Power-point usage
EXPERIENCE
Part-time Laboratory Instructor (Microbiology)
Fanshawe College, London, Ontario
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Taught introductory microbiology course and provided practical microbiology knowledge to students
Actively involved in laboratory teaching, discussion and ensured attendance and participation of students in
the laboratory
Designed and organized course/laboratory materials
Ensured compliance with laboratory safety procedures and enforced a high standard of behavior and
discipline among students
Assessed and graded students’ laboratory reports and tests
Lecturer/Farm Supervisor
All Nations University College (ANUC), Koforidua, Ghana
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Jan 2015 – April 2015
Jan., 2014 – Dec. 2014
Taught microbiology and molecular biology courses to undergraduate students
Actively involved in classroom teaching, discussion, debate and ensure attendance and participation of
students in class
Mentored and supported students at both academic and personal levels
Assessed students course work and materials
Invigilated examinations and marked scripts in a timely fashion
Course outlines and materials design with organization of industrial attachment to enhance hand-on
practical experience of students
Enforcement of high standard of behavior and discipline among the students and faculty members
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Carry out administrative roles as the assistant head of the department : organize and conduct
departmental staff meetings, review departmental requests and staff appraisals and ensure collaborative
atmosphere within the department
Conduct interviews and orientations for new staff members and ensure professional growth among
members
Managed and supervised activities at the university crop, animal and forestry units
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (NSERC)
Agriculture Agri-Food Canada (SCPFRC), London, Ontario
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Participated in three funded projects (by OMAFRA and Horticultural Australia limited) on improving plant
growth, nutrition and crop yield through use of beneficial endophytic and rhizosphere bacteria
Investigated the effects of crop rotation and green-manure (pearl-millet) incorporation into soil on soil
fertility, potato yield, Verticillium wilt and common scab disease
Isolated free-living nitrogen fixing and antibiotic producing bacteria from root and endophytic tissue of
corn and potato plants
Characterized bacterial and fungal isolates based on in-vitro antibiotic and enzymatic activities, such as
protease, glucanase, chitinase, 2,4-Diacetylphloroglucinol, pyrrolnitrin and phenazine productions
Screened antibiotic producing bacteria against plant pathogens from large environmental bacterial strains
Carried out greenhouse and field assessment of nitrogen fixing and antibiotic producing bacteria on
promotion of growth and yield of corn and potato
Assessed environmental impact of biocontrol inoculants introduced into the soil using molecular
fingerprinting technique (PCR based Denaturing Gradient Gel electrophoresis)
Provided effective leadership, management, organization and supervision of daily experimental work to
undergraduate students according to research objectives and ensured projects timelines are met
Ensured team members complied with field and laboratory safety and procedures
Prepared detail writings of experimental protocols and results
Presented research results and recommendations at scientific meetings or conferences
Volunteer Visiting Scientist
University of Manchester, Faculty of Life Sciences, England
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2007 – 2008
Conducted research: “Cultivation-independent analysis of sulphatase-producing bacteria in the
rhizosphere”
Extracted plasmid DNA and prepared competent bacterial cells
Transformed and tagged bacteria with plasmid carrying gene(s) of interest and screened transformedbacterial cells for gene(s) of interest
Prepared reagents, materials and equipment used in microbiological testing in sterile environments
Doctoral Fellow
Federal Biological Research Center for Agriculture & Forestry, Braunschweig, Germany
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2008 – 2011
2002 – 2007
Completed a project (denoted METACONTROL) aimed at elucidating consortia of beneficial bacteria
residing in suppressive and non-suppressive soils of Europe (Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom,
France and the Netherlands)
Assessed bacterial isolates for antagonistic potential against soil-borne plant pathoges (Pythium ultimum,
Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani and Ralstonia solanacearum) via in-vitro and in-vivo assays
Assessed the diversity of antifungal producing bacteria in rhizobacteria using molecular biology techniques
Carried out series of greenhouse experiments to evaluate effects of potential bacterial antagonists on
control of bottom rot disease caused by R. solani AG1-IB on lettuce
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Isolated bacterium that could be considered as strong biocontrol agent and used for suppression of this
pathogen
Assessed the environmental impacts of biocontrol agents applied as seed inoculants on indigenous
microbial population using molecular fingerprinting technique (PCR-DGGE analysis)
Research Fellow
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria
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1997 – 1999
Conducted greenhouse experiment to determine symbiotic interaction between mycorrhiza and Rhizobium
Analyzed available phosphorus, mineral nitrogen from plant and soil samples
Determined mycorrhiza infection rate on the roots of cowpea plants
EDUCATION
Ph.D in Biology (Microbial Ecology)
Technical University, Carolo-Wilhelmina, Braunschweig, Germany
2007
 Evaluated by World Education Services as equivalent to earned doctorate (Ph.D.) Degree from a Canadian
University
Master of Science in Agronomy (Soil Science)
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
2000
 Evaluated by World Education Services as equivalent to a two-year Master’s of Science Degree from a
Canadian University
Bachelor of Science in Soil Science
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
1997
 Evaluated by World Education Services as equivalent to a four-year Bachelor’s Degree from a Canadian
University
SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS RECEIVED
NSERC-Visiting Fellowship
May 2008 – Apr 2011
Deutscher Academische Ausland Dienst (DAAD)
 Scholarship to pursue a doctorate degree in Germany
Apr 2002 – Jun 2006
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PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
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Adesina, M.F., Grosch, R., Lembke, A., Vatchev, T.D., Smalla, K. (2009). In vitro antagonists of
Rhizoctonia solani tested on lettuce: rhizosphere competence, biocontrol efficiency and rhizosphere
microbial community response. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 69: 62-74
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Hjort, K., Bergström , M., Adesina, M.F., Jansson, J.K., Smalla, K., Sjöling, S. (2009). Chitinase genes
revealed and compared in bacterial isolates, DNA extracts and a metagenomic library from a
phytopathogen-suppressive soil. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 71: 197-207
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Adesina, M.F., Lembke, A., Costa, R., Speksnijder, A., Smalla, K. (2007). Screening of bacterial isolates
from various European soils for in vitro antagonistic activity towards Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium
oxysporum: site-dependent composition and diversity revealed. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 39: 28182828
TALKS AND POSTERS PRESENTED AT CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIA
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Adesina, M.F. , Ramarathnam, R., Reynolds, B., Lazarovits, G. “Effect of pearl millet-green manure
applications on potato yield and disease suppression” Presented at the 13th International Symposium on
Microbial Ecology. Book of abstracts, Seattle, WA, USA, August 22 – 27, 2010
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Adesina, M.F. “Assessment of antagonistic bacteria from suppressive soils for biological control of
Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB on lettuce” Presented at the “Tag der Junge Wissenschaft 2006’ in the Institute
for Vegetables and Ornamental crops,IGZ, Großbeeren/Erfurt e.V, Germany, August 30, 2006
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Adesina, M.F., Grosch, R., Lembke, A., Smalla, K. “Assessment of antagonistic bacteria from suppressive
soils for biological control of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB on lettuce” In: 11th International Symposium on
Microbial Ecology ISME-11. Book of Abstracts, Wien, Austria, August 20 – 25, 2006
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Hjort, K., Bergström, M., Sjöling, S., Adesina, M. F., Smalla, K., Jansson, J. K. “Metagenomic analysis of
antifungal activity in a suppressive soil” In: 11th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology ISME-11.
Book of Abstracts, Wien, Austria, August 20 – 25, 2006
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Lembke, A., Ding, G.C., Adesina, M.F., Smalla, K. “Diversity of Streptomycetes specific chitinase genes in
suppressive and non-suppressive soils” In: 11th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology ISME-11.
Book of Abstracts, Wien, Austria, August 20 – 25, 2006
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Adesina, M. F., Grosch, R., Lembke, A., Smalla, K.: “Biological control of Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB on
Lettuce plants by two Pseudomonas strains isolated from suppressive soils”. Presentation at the Annual
Conference of the General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM). Jena, March 19 – 22, 2006
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Lembke, A., Adesina, M. F., Smalla, K. “Comparison of microbial community structure and function of
suppressive and non-suppressive soils” presented at 2. Gemeinsamer Kongress der DGHM und
VAAM_2005, September 25 – 28, 2005, Göttingen, Germany
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Lembke, A., Adesina, M. F., Smalla, K. “Microbial community structure and function of suppressive soils
compared to non-suppressive soils”. Presentation at BAGECO-2005, 8th Symposium on Bacterial Genetics
and Ecology, June 26 – 29, 2005, Lyon, France
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Adesina, M. F., Lembke, A., Smalla, K. “Isolation and characterization of potential antagonists from
suppressive soils” presented at IOBC_2005 “Multitrophic interactions in soil”, Wageningen, The
Netherlands, June 5 – 7, 2005
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Lembke, A., Adesina, M. F., Smalla, K. “Chitinase producing bacteria – a reason for suppressiveness in
soils?” presented at IOBC_2005 “Multitrophic interactions in soil”; Wageningen, June 5 – 7, 2005
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Lembke, A., Adesina, M. F., Smalla, K. “Characterization of bacterial communities in suppressive soils”
In: 10th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology ISME-10. Book of Abstracts, Cancun, Mexico,
August 22 – 27, 2004, 258
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Lembke, A., Adesina, M. F., Smalla, K. “Charakterisierung von Bakterien-Gemeinschaften in supressiven
Böden“. 54th Deutche Pflanzenschutztagung, Sept. 20 – 23, 2004, University of Hamburg
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Adesina, M. F., Lembke, A., Smalla, K. “Characterization of Bacterial community in Suppressive soil”
presented at Eurosoil Conference 2004, September 4 – 12, Freiburg, Germany
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Komolafe, M. F., Lembke, A., Smalla, K. “Characterization of Bacterial community in Suppressive soil”
presented at Vereinigung für Allgemeine und Angewandte Mikrobiologie (VAAM) 2004, Technical University
Carolo-Wilhelmina Braunschweig, Germany, March 28 – 31, , 2004
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Komolafe, M. F., Lembke, A., Smalla, K. “Characterization of bacterial community in suppressive soils”
Presentation at International symposium of structure and function of soil microbiota, Philipps-University
Marburg, Germany, September 18 – 20, 2003
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
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