Owen P. Ward

Recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award

Bachelor of Science (BSc), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Dublin

Email: opward@uwaterloo.ca

Telephone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 32427

Office: Biology 1 276A

Career profile

• 1966–1973: National University of Ireland: BSc Biochemistry, PhD Industrial Microbiology
• 1973–1977: Biotechnology Unit, Institute for Industrial Research, Ireland: Biotechnology Research Officer
• 1977–1980: Biocon Group. Fermentation Development Manager
• 1980–1987: Dublin City University: Founder, Professor and Head School of Biotechnology 
• 1987–1997: NSERC Industrial Research Chair – Microbial Biotechnology
• 1995–1998: Director of the Society of Industrial Microbiology (US)
• 1996–1997: President of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists
• 2005–2009: Director, Waterloo Science and Business programs
• Founder of Biorem Technologies, Petrozyme Technologies and Lystek International
• 1987–present: University of Waterloo: Professor of Biology
• 2006–present: Chairman and Technical Director, Lystek International

Research interests

Research, technology development, commercialization, enterprise development on fermentation-, enzyme-, biomaterials- and bioprocess-based technologies. Many former researchers from the laboratory hold senior managerial positions in European and North American companies. The following are research highlights:

• Decarboxylases in asymmetric synthesis:
  • Asymmetric acyloin synthesis by pyruvate decarboxylase and benzoylformate decarboxylase
• Omega-3/6 fatty acid production:
  • Production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA,22:6) by Thraustochytrium species.
  • Physiology of omega-3 production by P. tricornutum.
  • Optimisation of conditions for arachidonic acid production by Mortierella species.
• Fermentation research:
  • Basic research on production of B-1,3-glucanase by P. emersonii.
  • Development of fermentation processes using recombinant and non-recombinant strains.
• Biodegradation research:
  • Development/scale-up of methods for treatment of recalcitrant chemicals, petroleum wastes and biosolids.
• Current Active Research – Sustainable Biomaterials:
  • Development of biomaterials and processing systems including large-scale process implementation.
  • Development of processes for production of approved, safe and nutrient-enriched biofertilizers involving beneficial use of human and animal biosolids and other animal wastes.
  • Evaluation of the flammability risks inherent in biosolids drying processes and products and development of strategies which mitigate these risks.
  • Optimization and commercialization of processes for conversion of biomaterials to bioenergy (methane).

Patents and patent applications

• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. (2010). Lowering viscosity of biosolids. US Patent application 12/716496. Filed March 3, 2010.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. (2010). Lowering viscosity of biosolids. Canadian Patent application 2695312. Filed March 3, 2010.
• Lugowski, A.J., Nakhla, G., Singh, A., Ward, O.P., Mosher, F.A. (2010). “Feedback system for enhancing elimination of biomass in sewage sludge” US Patent 7736511.
• Ward, O.P. (2010). Process for liquefaction of fibrous materials. British Provisional Patent 1010562.5. Filed June 23, 2010.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. Method for reducing the viscosity of biosolids. British Provisional Patent Application. Filed March 3, 2009.
• Ward, O.P., Mosher, F., Singh, A. (2008) “Sludge treatment system”, US Patent application 12/260,445 ; Canadian Patent application 2,608,506.
• Lugowski, A.J., Nakhla, G., Singh, A., Ward, O.P., Mosher, F.A. (2008). “Feedback system for enhancing elimination of biomass in sewage sludge” Canada patent application, filed - 10 October 2008.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. (2008). “Liquifying de-watered sludge preparatory to drying”, US Patent application 12/041,005. Canadian Patent application, filed - 3 March 2008.
• Ward. O.P., Singh, A. (2007). Treatment of Dewatered Sewage Sludge. United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0704310.2.
• Ward, O.P., Burd, H. (2004). Treatment of Sewage Sludge. United States Patent No 6808636; Canadian Patent No. 2349803.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. (2003). Biodegradation of oil sludge. US Patent No. 6,652,752.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. (2001). “Biodegradation of oil sludge”, Canada Patent No. 2,229,761.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. (2001). “Biological process for breaking oil-water emulsions”, US Patent No. 6,171,500.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A., Billingsley, K. (2001). “Treatment of soil contaminated with hazardous residues”, US Patent No. 6,251,058.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. (2000). “Treatment of soil contaminated with oil or oil residues” US Patent No. 6,153,017.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. (2000). “Biodegradacion de sedimento de petroleo”, Venezuela Patent No. 1998-000426.
• Billingsley, K., Singh, A., Ward, O.P. (1999). “Destruction of halogenated organic contaminants in solid media”. Canada Patent application CA No. 2,268,585.

Selected publications (2001–2011)

• Ward, O.P., Singh, A., VanHamme, J.D., Voordouw, G. Applied Microbiology: Industrial Petroleum Microbiology, Ecological and Environmental Microbiology (In Press).
• Ward, O.P. Proteases, Comprehensive Biotechnology Vol 2e, M. Moo-Young Ed (In Press).
• Ward, O.P. Bioremediation. (2010). Encyclopedia of Industrial Biotechnology: Bioprocess, Bioseparation and Cell Technology. Wiley. New York. 1047-1065.
• Ward, O.P. (2010). Biosurfactants in Biodegradation and Bioremediation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 672: 65-74.  
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A., VanHamme, J.D. and Voordouw, G. (2009). Petroleum Microbiology. Encyclopedia of Microbiology. Oxford, Elsevier. Vol 1. 443-457.
• Singh, A., Ward, O.P. and Kuhad, R. (Editors). (2009). Advances in Applied Bioremediation. Soil Biology Series, Vol 17. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp1-361.
• Singh, A., Ward, O.P. and Kuhad, R. (2009). Biological Remediation of Soil: An Overview of Global Markets and Available Technologies. In Singh, A., Ward, O.P. and Kuhad, R. (Editors). Advances in Applied Bioremediation. Soil Biology Series. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp 1-19.
• Ward, O.P., Rao, M.B. and Kulkarni, A. (2009). Proteases. Encyclopedia of Microbiology. Oxford, Elsevier. Vol 1. 495-511.
• Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2009). Molecular methods for monitoring environmental contaminants and bioremediation. In: Text Book on Molecular Biotechnology (Chauhan, A and Varma, A., eds.), I.K. International Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. In press.
• Ray, R.C. and Ward, O.P. (Editors). (2008). Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol. 3. Science Publishers, NH. pp1-378.
• Ray, R.C., Shetty, K. and Ward, O.P. (2008). SolidState Fermentation and Value-added Utilization of Horticultural Processing Wastes. In Ray, RC and Ward, O.P. (Editors). Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol. 3. Science Publishers, NH. 231-272.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. and Ray, R.C. (2008). Single Cell Protein from Horticultural Wastes. In Ray, RC and Ward, O.P. (Editors). Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol. 3. Science Publishers, NH. 273-298.
• Ray, R.C., Ward, O.P., Singh, A. and Isobe, S. (2008). Commercialization of Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture: Summary Outlook of Achievements, Constraints and Prospects. In Ray, RC and Ward, O.P. (Editors). Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol. 3. Science Publishers, NH. 341-365.
• Ahmed A., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2007). Chymostatin can combine with pepstatin to eliminate extracellular protease activity in cultures of Apergillus niger NRRL-3. J. Indust. Microbiol and Biotechnol. 43: 165-169.
• Singh, A., VanHamme, J.D. and Ward, O.P. (2007). Surfactants in microbiology and biotechnology: Part 2. Application aspects. Biotech Advances 25: 99-121.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2007). Omega-3/6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential to human health, from Thraustochytrids, In: Microbes for human Life (Chauhan, A.K., Kharkwal, H., Varma, A. Eds.), I.K. International, New Delhi, pp. 637-661.
• Ray, R.C. and Ward, O.P. (Editors). (2007). Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol. 2. Science Publishers, NH.
• Singh, A., Kuhad, R.C. and Ward, O.P. (2007). Industrial Applications of Microbial Cellulases. In: Kuhad, R.C., Singh, A. (Eds.) Lignocellulose Biotechnology: Future Prospects. I.K. International, New Delhi, pp. 345-358.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2007). Recent Developments in Enzymatic Acyloin Condensations. In R. Patel, Ed: Handbook of Biocatalysis in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries. Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL. pp 607-624.
• VanHamme, J.D., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2006). Surfactants in microbiology and biotechnology: Part 1. Physiological Aspects. Biotech Advances 24: 604-620.
• Popesku, J.T., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2006). Trinitrotoluene removal in a soil slurry and soil box system by an oil-degrading mixed bacterial culture. World J. Microbiol. And Biotechnol. 22: 1075-1081.
• Ward, O.P., Qin, Q.M., Dhanjoon, J., Ye, J. and Singh A. (2006). Physiology and Biotechnology of Aspergillus. Advances in Applied Microbiology 58: 1-75.
• Ahmed A., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2006). Incorporation of pepstatin into culture media for reduction of protease activity in filtrates from Aspergillus niger NRRL-3. Process Biochemistry. 41: 789-793.
• Singh, A., Billingsley, K. and Ward, O.P. (2006). Composting: a potentially safe process for disposal of genetically modified organisms. Critical Reviews of Biotechnology. 26 (1): 1-16.
• VanHamme, J.D., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2006). Petroleum Microbiology. Part 1: Underlying biochemistry and physiology. Internat. J. Chem. Biotechnol. 24(1): 52-56.
• Singh, A., VanHamme, J.D., and Ward, O.P. (2006). Petroleum Microbiology. Part 2: Recovery, biorefining and biodegradation processes. Internat. J. Chem. Biotechnol. 24: 20-23.
• Ray, R.C. and Ward, O.P. (Editors). (2006). Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol. 1. Science Publishers, NH. pp
• Ward, O.P. and Ray, R.C. (2006). Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture: An Overview. In RC Ray and OP Ward, Eds. Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol 1 Science Publishers, NH. 1-20.
• Ray, R.C. and Ward, O.P. (2006). Post Harvest Microbial Biotechnology of Tropical Root and Tuber Crops. In: RC Ray and OP Ward. Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol 1. Science Publishers, NH. pp345-396.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. and Ray, R.C. (2006). Production of Renewable Energy from Agricultural and Horticultural Substrates and Wasted. In RC Ray and OP Ward, Eds. Microbial Biotechnology in Horticulture. Vol 1. Science Publishers, NH. pp511-557.
• Ward. O.P. and Singh, A. (2005). Omega-3/6 fatty acids: alternative sources of production. Process Biochem. 40: 3627-3652.
• Ahmed A., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2005). Culture-based strategies for reduction of protease activity in filtrates from Aspergillus niger. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 21: 1577-1583.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2005). Microbial Production of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. In: Varma, A.K. and Podila, GK(eds.) Biotechnological Applications of Microbes. I.K. International, New Delhi. pp199-220.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2005). Enzyme biotransformation involving alpha-ketoacid decarboxylases. In. E Mellado and J.L Barredo (Eds). Microorganisms for Industrial Enzymes and Biocontrol. Research Sciencepost Publ. Kerala. pp83-94.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2005). Microbial Technology for Bioethanol Production from Agricultural and Forestry Wastes. In: Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture and Aquaculture Vol. 1. RC Ray, Ed., Science Publishers Inc. Enfield, NH, USA pp 449-479.
• Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2005). Microbiology of Bioreactors for Waste Gas Treatment. In: Biotechnology for Odor and Air Pollution Control. Z. Shareefdeen and A. Singh, Eds, Springer Verlag. Berlin Pp 101-124.
• Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2005). Bioscrubber Technology. In: Biotechnology for Odor and Air Pollution Control. Z. Shareefdeen and A. Singh, Eds, Springer Verlag. Berlin pp 169-194.
• Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2005). Relevance of Microbial Diversity to Environmental Biotechnology. In: Satanarayana, T. and Johri, BN (Ed), Microbial Diversity: Current Perspectives and Potential Applications. I.K.International, New Delhi, pp 521-536.
• Singh, A., Ward, O.P. and Kuhad, R.C. (2005). Feasibility Studies for Microbial Remediation of Hydrocarbons-contaminated Soil. In Margesin, R. (Ed). Manual for Soil Analysis. Soil Biology Series Vol 3. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. pp. 131-153.
• Pannu, J.K., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2004). Vegetable oil as a contaminated soil remediation amendment: Application of peanut oil for extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soil. Process Biochemistry. 39: 1211-1216.
• Schallmey, M., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2004). Developments in the use of Bacillus species in industrial production. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 50, 1-17.
• Ward, O.P. (2004). The industrial sustainability of bioremediation processes. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. 31, 1-4.
• Popesku, J.T., Singh, A., Hawari, J., Zhao, J-S. and Ward, O.P. (2004). Metabolite production during transformation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by a mixed culture acclimated and maintained on crude oil containing media. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 65: 739-746.
• Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (Editors). (2004). Applied Bioremediation and Phytoremediation. Soil Biology Series Volume 1. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp1-281.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2004). Soil Bioremediation and Phytoremediation - an Overview. In Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. Eds: Applied Bioremediation and Phytoremediation. Soil Biology Series Volume 1. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp 1-12.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2004). Evaluation of Current Soil Bioremediation Technologies. In Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. Eds: Applied Bioremediation and Phytoremediation. Soil Biology Series Volume 1. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp. 186-214.
• Kuhad, R., Johri, A.K., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2004). Pesticides. In Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. Eds: Applied Bioremediation and Phytoremediation. Soil Biology Series Volume 1. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp. 35-54.
• Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (Editors). (2004). Biodegradation and Bioremediation. Soil Biology Series Volume 2. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp1-309.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2004). Biotechnology and Bioremediation - An Overview. In Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. Eds: Biodegradation and Bioremediation. Soil Biology Series Volume 2. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp. 1-17.
• Singh, A. Kuhad, R.C., Shareefdeen, Z. and Ward, O.P. (2004). Methods for Monitoring and Assessment of Bioremediation Processes. In Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. Eds: Biodegradation and Bioremediation. Soil Biology Series Volume 2. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. 279-304.
• Ye, J., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2004). Biodegradation of Nitroaromatic Compounds. 2004. In Singh, A. and Ward, OP. Eds: Biodegradation and Bioremediation. Soil Biology Series Volume 2. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. pp. 149-173.
• Kuhad, R.C., Sood, N., Tripathi, K.K., Ward, O.P. and Singh, A.(2004). Developments in microbial methods for treatment of dye effluents. Advances in Applied Microbiology 56: 185-213.
• VanHamme, J., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2003). Recent advances in petroleum microbiology. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 67, 503-549.
• Ward, O.P., Singh, A. and VanHamme, J. (2003). Accelerated bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon waste. Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology. 30, 260-270.
• Pannu, J.K., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2003). Influence of peanut oil on microbial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Can. J. Microbiol. 49, 508-513.
• Popesku, J.T., Singh, A., Zhao, J-S., Hawari, J. and Ward, O.P. (2003). High TNT-transforming activity by a mixed culture acclimated and maintained on crude oil-containing media. Can. J. Microbiol 49. 362-366.
• Ye, J., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2003). Biodegradation of nitrogen-containing xenobiotics. 2003. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 20: 117-135.
• Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2002). Bioethanol Technology: Developments and Perspectives. Advances in Applied Microbiology 51, 53-77.
• Nadarajah, N., VanHamme, J., Pannu, J., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2002). Enhanced transformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using a combined Fenton's reagent, microbial treatment and surfactants. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 59. 540-544.
• Billingsley, K.A., Backus, S.M., Wilson, S., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2002). Remediation of PCBs in soil by surfactant washing and biodegradation in the wash by Pseudomonas sp. LB400. Biotechnology Letters 24, 1827-1832.
• Nadarajah, N., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2002). Evaluation of a mixed bacterial culture for de-emulsification of water-in-petroleum oil emulsions. World J. Microbiology and Biotechnology. 18 (5) 435-440.
• VanHamme. J.D. and Ward, O.P. (2001). Physical and metabolic interactions of Pseudomonas sp. Strain-B45 and Rhodococcus sp. F9-D79 during growth on crude oil and the effect of chemical surfactants thereon. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 67 (10). 4874-4879.
• Zhao, J.S. and Ward, O.P. (2001). Substrate selectivity of a 3-nitrophenol-induced metabolic system in Pseudomonas putida 2NP8 transforming nitroaromatic compounds into ammonia under aerobic conditions. Applied. Environ. Microbiol. 67, 1388-1391.
• Zhao, J-S., Ward, O.P., Lubicki, P., Cross, J.D. and Huck, P. (2001). Process for degradation of nitrobenzene: combining electron beam irradiation with biotransformation. Biotechnol. Bioeng, Vol. 73, 306-312.
• Giri, A., Dhingra, V., Giri, C.C., Nasasu, M.L., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2001). Biotransformations using plant cells, organ cultures and enzyme systems: current trends an future prospects. Biotech Advances. Vol. 19 (3), 175-199.
• Juneson, C., Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2001). Microbial treatment of styrene contaminated air stream in a biofilter with high elimination capacities. J. Industrial Microbiol. Biotechnol. Vol. 26. 196-202.
• VanHamme, J.D. and Ward, O.P. (2001). Volatile hydrocarbon biodegradation by a mixed culture during growth on crude oil. J. Indust. Microbiol. And Biotechnology. 26, 356-368.
• Parmer, N., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2001). Enzyme treatment to reduce solids and improve settling of sewage sludge. J. Industrial Microbiol. And Biotechnology. 26, 383-386.
• Juneson, C., Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2001). Biodegradation of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in a soil slurry-sequencing batch reactor. Process Biochemistry 37 (3), 305-313.
• Parmer, N., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2001). Characterization of the combined effects of enzyme, pH and temperature treatments for removal of pathogens from sewage sludge. World J. Microbiol. Vol. 17. 169-172.
• Nadarajah, N., Singh, A. and Ward, O.P. (2001). Demulsification of petroleum oil emulsion by a mixed bacterial culture. Process Biochemistry, 37, 1145-1151.
• Muralidhar, R.V., Chirumamilla, R.R., Marchant, R., Ramachandran, V.N., Ward, O.P. and Nigam, P. (2001). Understanding lipase stereoselectivity. World J. Microbiology and Biotechnology, 18, 81-97.
• Juneson, C., Ward, O.P. and Singh, A. (2001). Biodegradation of dimethyl phthalate with high removal rates in a packed-bed reactor. World J. Microbiology and Biotechnology 18, 7-10.
• Singh, A., Mullin, B. and Ward, O.P. (2001). Reactor-based process for the biological treatment of petroleum wastes. PN # 200. Middle East Petrotech, Bahrain, pp. 1-13.

Spin-off companies founded

• Company:  Biorem Technologies Inc., Guelph, Ontario. (Founded 1991).
  • Business: Soil and air bioremediation
  • Lead Products: First and second generation air biofilters for North American markets.
• Company:  Petrozyme Technologies Inc., Guelph, Ontario. (Founded 1996).
  • Business Petroleum biotechnology
  • Lead Products: Refinery petroleum sludge fermentations operating in North and South America.
• Company:  Lystek International Inc., Waterloo, Ontario. (Founded 1999).
  • Business: Bioprocessing of biosolids
  • In partnership with Conestoga Rovers Associates
  • Lead Products: Safe liquid and dry biosolids-based fertilizers, energy/fuel from biosolids.