Peter Olawumi - HTGAA 2026

Turning Trash into Treasure with Synthetic Biology

Hello! I’m Peter Olawumi (@dev_roc on X), a software developer based in Ibadan, Nigeria. With a passion for innovative solutions at the intersection of technology, hardware, and biology, I’m excited to be part of How to Grow (Almost) Anything 2026. My background in coding fuels my drive to create accessible tools for real-world problems, especially in developing regions like the Global South.

My Final Project: Microbial “Plastic Eater” Pods for Factory-Floor Recycling

Picture a bustling Lagos factory overwhelmed by PET plastic waste. My project aims to engineer Ideonella sakaiensis bacteria into supercharged “plastic eaters” housed in compact, on-site pods. These lunchbox-sized bioreactors will break down PET scraps into reusable monomers at ambient temperatures, reducing waste transport emissions by 40% and fostering a circular economy.

Why This Matters

In Nigeria, plastic pollution clogs waterways and harms health. Traditional recycling is energy-intensive and inefficient. My bioengineered solution uses optimized enzymes (PETase & MHETase) for faster degradation, with built-in safeties like kill switches to prevent ecological risks.

Technical Highlights

Enzyme Engineering: Codon-optimized genes with secretion signals and GFP reporters.
Workflow: In silico design (AlphaFold).

Governance & Ethics

Ensuring ethical deployment is key. My goals focus on biosafety (containment mechanisms) and equity (open-source designs). Proposed actions include regulatory certifications, subsidies, and sentinel networks—balancing innovation with responsibility.

Homework

Labs

Week 1 Lab: Pipetting

Projects

Stay tuned as I document labs, reflections, and breakthroughs!

Connect with Me

Thanks for visiting! Let’s grow a sustainable future together. 🌱🔬

Built with Hugo and Relearn theme. Inspired by creative HTGAA alumni sites emphasizing visuals, personal stories, and project impact.