Dr. Kingsley Bentum | Food Safety-Zoonosis | Young Scientist Award |
Tuskegee University, at Tuskegee University, College of Veterinary Medicine, United States
Dr. Kingsley Emmanuel Bentum is a dedicated veterinary researcher specializing in molecular microbiology, virology, bacteriology, bioinformatics, and food safety. With a passion for public health and infectious disease research, he actively contributes to understanding antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, and genomic analysis of pathogens. His expertise spans whole genome sequencing, computational biology, and bacterial pathogenesis, making him a valuable asset in the field of veterinary and biomedical research.
Professional Profile
Education 🎓
Dr. Bentum is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology at Tuskegee University, USA (since 2019), where he focuses on genomic analysis of bacterial and viral pathogens. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana (2018), graduating with distinction and receiving honors in immunology and infectious diseases. Additionally, he has completed a Graduate Mentorship Program from the Howard Hampton Morgan Alliance (2023), further enhancing his academic and leadership skills.
Experience 💼
Dr. Bentum has gained valuable experience as a Graduate Research Assistant at Tuskegee University (2019–Present), where he leads projects on pathogen detection and genomic surveillance. He also served as a USDA-FSIS Research Fellow (2022–2023), contributing to food safety policy and microbial risk assessment. His role as a Visiting Researcher at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (2023–2024) further strengthened his expertise in bacterial genomics and molecular epidemiology. Additionally, he has served as a peer reviewer for PLOS One, supporting scientific advancements in microbiology and public health.
Research Interest 🔬
Dr. Bentum’s research centers on molecular microbiology, zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogen genomics. He investigates foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, employing next-generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics, and machine learning tools for disease surveillance and prevention. His work contributes significantly to food safety, infectious disease control, and one-health initiatives, particularly in bovine and poultry-associated pathogens.
Award 🏅
Dr. Bentum has received numerous accolades for his outstanding research contributions, including the Plaque of Excellence from the USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Services (2023) and the People’s Choice Award at Hackin’ Omics, University of Alabama Birmingham (2022). He was also recognized with the Best Student in Immunology Award (2018) at KNUST, Ghana. His achievements reflect his commitment to advancing veterinary microbiology and food safety research.
Top Noted Publication 📑
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii antibodies in sheep and goats slaughtered at the Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana KE Bentum, RD Folitse, E Amemor, V Burimuah, T Opoku-Agyemang, …20Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry 40 (5), 495-5012019
Serological evidence of Coxiella burnetii infection in slaughtered sheep and goats at Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana RD Folitse, T Opoku-Agyemang, E Amemor, ED Opoku, KE Bentum, …11Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry 41 (2), 152-1572020
Molecular phylogeny of coronaviruses and host receptors among domestic and close-contact animals reveals subgenome-level conservation, crossover, and divergence K Bentum, S Shaddox, C Ware, G Reddy, W Abebe, R Folitse, P Martin, …7 BMC Veterinary Research 18 (1), 1242022
Gold Nanoparticle-Based Plasmonic Detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes from Bovine Fecal Samples A Ghazy, R Nyarku, R Faraj, K Bentum, Y Woube, MC Williams, E Alocilja, …4Microorganisms 12 (6), 10692024
Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence Gene Profiling, and Spa Typing of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Retail Chicken Meat in Alabama, USA RFaraj, H Ramadan, KE Bentum, B Alkaraghulli, Y Woube, Z Hassan, …-Pathogens 14 (2), 1072025
Conclusion
Kingsley Emmanuel Bentum is a highly promising young scientist with an impressive track record in molecular microbiology, public health, and veterinary research. His publications, technical expertise, fellowships, and conference engagements position him as a strong contender for the Research for Young Scientist Award. By increasing independent research contributions, securing more funding, and expanding international collaborations, he can further elevate his impact in the field.
Overall, he is a highly suitable candidate for this award and is on a trajectory to make significant contributions to microbiology and veterinary science.