From Uganda to UQ: a vision for synthetic biology in Africa

“The world is now waking up to realise the potential of synthetic biology”

Geoffrey Otim is engineering microbes to produce alcohols as precursors for sustainable aviation fuel (SAFs).

He is an AIBN Entrepreneurial PhD scholar at UQ’s Biosustainability Hub.

Geoffrey’s education was disrupted by illness, poverty and the Northern Uganda civil conflict, which displaced him to a camp for two years.

Despite these hardships, he remained determined not only to complete his education, but to excel academically and help propel synthetic biology onto centre stage in Africa.

Geoffrey is the Founder and CEO of Synbio Africa, a forum for researchers, students, citizen scientists, policy makers and the public to advance synthetic biology in Africa.

Creating sustainable aviation fuel

Geoffrey is optimising the biofermentation processes of the bacterium Clostridium autoethanogenum, to use waste gases for good.

C. autoethanogenum naturally ferments carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen (collectively called syngas) into ethanol, and Geoffrey is using genetics to redirect this fermentation towards isobutanol production.

“Syngas is derived by gasification of municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, and industrial emissions – by converting these to a precursor to aviation fuel, we are creating value from waste gases and transitioning away from fossil fuels.”

What is synthetic biology?

Researchers in the field of synthetic biology design and reprogram living systems so they can perform useful tasks.

By applying a design-build-test-learn approach, researchers can engineer microbes to create new medicines, cleaner fuels, more sustainable materials, for example biodegradable plastics.

Geoffrey believes the potential of synthetic biology could be especially transformative for Africa.

Making use of untapped energy

“I want to make sure that we use this technology for the development of Africa’s bioeconomy, because it has the potential to solve many challenges in health, agriculture and the environment.”

“One of the challenges in Uganda is waste management.

For example, in Kampala, the capital, the waste dumps have become a liability.

Gases have built up, exploded and caused fires and fatal landslides.”

“Waste gas emissions are untapped sources of energy.

They could be used to produce sustainable products using the technology I am developing.”

Establishing Synbio Africa

Geoffrey has had a varied career before embarking on a PhD, including working in hospital settings, on polio and measles surveillance at the Uganda Virus Research Institute and as a researcher in Paris and Singapore.

His interest in synthetic biology was sparked when he worked at the National University of Singapore, engineering bacteria for potential probiotics to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

During his master’s studies, Geoffrey attended a synthetic biology conference in Singapore, which inspired him to promote synthetic biology in Africa.

He founded Synbio Africa, initially as a university student club to inspire students through competitions addressing local problems like plastic pollution.

The initiative expanded rapidly beyond Uganda and now connects more than 400 scientists across Africa.

It has provided bioinformatics training, pandemic preparedness support and advocacy through formal societies including Women in Synthetic Biology Africa.

A global change maker

For his efforts, he has been recognised as one of 25 global change makers in the 2025 Vox Future Perfect 25 and is a role model for his vision to leverage synthetic biology to solve pressing environmental and social challenges in Africa.

Geoffrey said it’s a recognition that he doesn’t take for granted.

“It comes with efforts, dedication, sacrifice and a lot going on in the background for you to get to where the world can see you.”

Choosing AIBN

Geoffrey chose AIBN for his PhD because of its reputation, multidisciplinary environment and his now-supervisor Professor Esteban Marcellin.

“The research in Biosustainability Hub resonated well with me because I’ve been interested in biofuels for many years and wanted the opportunity to study it at a higher level.”

“I had been following AIBN for some time, and the more I learned about the research and the people here, I decided, this is the right place for me.”

Geoffrey has come a long way since his childhood in Uganda.

He says it’s just by luck that he’s got to where he is today, but most would agree it is more about his determination, passion and enthusiasm for learning and making a difference.

Today, he is combining world-class research with a commitment to ensuring synthetic biology can deliver real benefits for communities across Africa.

Geoffrey is part of AIBN’s Entrepreneurial PhD Program. 

UQ's Biosustainability Hub uses synthetic biology to help the world’s biggest businesses transition to net zero.
Funded by government, industry and UQ, the $70 million Biosustainability Hub is a one-stop-shop for big companies to transform their production practices and create carbon neutral economically viable products and materials.