MR. FRANK ESSEM

Academic Qualifications

MPhil

Role and Responsibility

Lecturer (teaching, research and community service)

Address

AAMUSTED-Mampong Campus

P.O. Box 40

Asante Mampong

Contact

Department

Biological Sciences Education

Faculty

Science Education

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

  • University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

MPhil (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology)

(July, 2021)

  • University of Virginia, USA

Research & Training Programme

(September, 2017)

  • University of Cape Coast

BSc. (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology)

(2014)

  • Graduate Demonstrator

Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

University of Cape Coast

(2019-2020)

RESEARCH INTERESTS AND SUPERVISION

An important area that contributes significantly to human existence is food and nutritional security. However, food security is threatened by both biotic and abiotic production constraints. One of my research interests has been to study the genome of economically important crops in an attempt to understand the underlying principles governing the interaction of host species with biotic and/or abiotic factors so as to improve the hosts towards resistance or tolerance to these factors using Molecular Breeding Approaches. Currently, I am working to develop climate-smart cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties with the potential of evading the persistent terminal draught in the northern regions of Ghana.

I will be happy to welcome any student who is seeking to master the use of molecular techniques in crop improvement.

TEACHING INTERESTS
  • Molecular Biology of the Gene
  • Molecular Genetics and Evolution
  • Molecular techniques
  • Genetics
  • Mycology
  • Vascular and Non vascular plants
  • Plant physiology

Laboratory Techniques in Biology

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Thio, G. I., Thio, B., Ouédraogo, N., Essem, F., Drabo, I., Boro, O., … & Sérémé, P. (2023). Evaluation of Soybean Genotypes (Glycine max L. Merr.) Susceptibility to Parasitic Nematodes in Western Part of Burkina Faso. Agricultural Sciences, 14(1), 23-34.

Thio, I. E. G., Ou&edraogo, N., Drabo, I., Essem, F., Neya, F. B., Sombi&e, P. A. E. D., … & Sereme, P. (2022). Evaluation of medium maturity group of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) for agronomic performance and adaptation in Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 18(4), 264-275.

Thio, G. I., Ouédraogo, N., Drabo, I., Essem, F., Neya, F. B., Nikiema, F. W., … & Sérémé, P. (2022). Evaluation of Early Maturity Group of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) for Agronomic Performance and Estimates of Genetic Parameters in Sudanian Zone of Burkina Faso. Advances in Agriculture, 2022.

Essem, F., Ohlson, W. E., Aaron, A. T., & Timko, M.P., (2019). Genetic Markers for Selection of Ghanaian Striga Gesnerioides Resistance In Cowpea. Plant Breeding, 00, 1-6.  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pbr.12702

 Asiamah, Y.J., Tachie-Menson, J.W., Agyirifo, D.S., Agbeko, R., and Essem, F. (2020). Pesticides; A necessary evil in the agricultural value chain – A review. STED Journal, 2(1). 53-63

Asare, T.A., Essem, F., Ohlson, E.W., & Timko, M.P., (2019). Identification of Multi-Race Striga Gesneriodes Resistant Genotypes of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Ghana Science Association 31st Biennial Conference, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Asare, T.A., Asiamah, J.Y., Essem, F., & Haruna, P., (2019). Agronomic Traits Analysis and Identification of Striga gesnerioides Resistant Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Breeding Lines. Ghana Science Association 31st Biennial Conference, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Asare, T.A., Yentumi, J.A., Asante, D.K.A., Asiamah, J.Y., Essem, F., & Mensah, S.K., (2019). Effect of Different Concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine and Light Intensity in Micropropagation of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

OTHER INTEREST
  • Tissue Culture
  • Industrial Microbiology (Yoghurt and Oyster Mushroom Production)