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Eriola Betiku

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
EMAIL
PHONE
850-599-8831
OFFICE
Biology

Office Hours

Old Dyson Pharmacy Building. Room 224

Wed: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Fri: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Current Semester Schedule

  • BSC 1010 General Biology I (Sec 006) • Tu/Th 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
  • BSC 1010 General Biology I (Sec 009) • Tu/Th 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
  • BSC 1010L (L18) General Biology I Lab • Mo 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
  • BSC 1010L (L11) General Biology I Lab • Mo 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • BSC 1010L (L13) General Biology I Lab • We 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • BSC 1005 Biological Science (Sec 008) • Tu/Th 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
  • BSC 1005L (07) Biological Science Lab • We 10:10 AM - 11:40 AM

About Me

Dr. Betiku holds a Doctor of Natural Sciences in Biotechnology from the Technical University, Braunschweig, Germany. He was a full professor of Chemical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, and is currently a Faculty and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies at the Department of Biological Sciences, Florida A&M University, USA. He was a DAAD scholar and a Guest Scientist at the National Research Centre for Biotechnology (now Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)), Braunschweig, Germany.

Dr. Betiku is a staunch mentor who has served as a major advisor on diverse research topics to over 50 B.S., 40 M.S., and 10 Ph.D. candidates. His research focuses on biofuel development, biocatalyst synthesis, and the bioprocessing of crops and biomass wastes into value-added products. He applies machine learning tools, such as artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, support vector machine, and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems, among others, to model and optimize various biological systems. Additionally, he conducts assessments of lakes, ponds, and rivers in Florida, using microbiome analysis.

Dr. Betiku is an Associate Editor of Frontiers in Energy Research (Bioenergy and Biofuels) and serves on the editorial boards of Materials Today Communications (Elsevier), Heliyon (Cell Press), and Processes (MDPI). He served as a Guest Editor on special topics in the Sustainability and Frontiers in Energy Research journals. He serves as an ad-hoc reviewer for over 70 journals. Dr. Betiku has authored over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 10 book chapters, and a book.

Areas of Interest

  • Alcohols/organic acid production by microbial fermentation of biomass and biowastes
  • Process intensification through subcritical and supercritical fluid extraction and reaction
  • Application of microbiome to biological systems
  • Application of machine learning tools in modeling and optimizing bioprocessing systems
  • Production of lipids from microalgae for biofuel and pigment synthesis

Education

 
  • Doctor of Natural Sciences in Biotechnology • 2005
    Technical University, Braunschweig, Germany.
  • M.S. in Chemical Engineering (Biochemical Engineering Option) • 1997
    Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • B.S. in Chemical Engineering • 1992
    Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Work History

  • Associate Chair of Biological Sciences • 2025
    Florida A&M University (FAMU), Tallahassee, FL. USA
  • Faculty, Department of Biological Sciences, 2023-present
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Visiting Faculty, Department of Biological Sciences, 2022-2023
    Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Professor of Chemical Engineering (Tenured)
    Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, Since 2013
  • Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering
    Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, 2010-2013
  • Guest Scientist, 2001-2004
    Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany

Academic Accomplishments

  • Jisieike, C. F., Betiku, E., Ojumu, T. V., & Latinwo, L. M. (2025). Rubber seed oil biodiesel synthesis via ethanolysis using a blend of four biogenic residues as a sustainable heterogeneous catalyst. Renewable Energy, 123500 (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2025.123500
  • Adetiloye, O. A., Solomon, B. O., Omolaiye, J. A. & Betiku, E. Optimization of thermostable amylolytic enzyme production from Bacillus cereus isolated from a recreational warm spring. Microbial Cell Factories, 24(1), 87 (Springer). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-025-02709-w
  • Betiku, E., Okpalaeke, K. E., Sotunde, B. A., & Ojumu, T. V. (2025). Fluted pumpkin waste potential as a green solid bioalkaline catalyst for neem seed oil biodiesel synthesis. Biomass and Bioenergy, 193, 107525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2024.107525
  • Ishola, N. B., Epelle, E. I., & Betiku, E. (2024). Machine learning approaches to modeling and optimization of biodiesel production systems: State of art and future outlook. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 100669 (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100669
  • Betiku, E., Oraegbunam, J. C., Falowo, O. A., Ojumu, T. V., & Latinwo, L. M. (2024). Sustainable microwave-supported biodiesel production using sandbox oil and its waste shell as a nanoparticle green alkali heterogeneous catalyst. Process Biochemistry, 142, 1-12 (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2024.04.010
  • Betiku, E., Olatoye, E. O., & Latinwo, L. M. (2023). Bioprocessing of Underutilized Artocarpus altilis Fruit to Bioethanol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: A Fermentation Condition Improvement Study. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 8(2), 125-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2023.03.002
  • Omilakin, R. O., Ibrahim, A. P., & Betiku, E. (2023). Process modeling of oil extraction from sandbox seeds: A case of adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system and response surface methodology. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 13, 247 - 260 (Springer).
  • Ibrahim, T. H., Betiku, E., Solomon, B. O., Oyedele, J. O., Dahunsi, S. O. (2022). Mathematical modelling and parametric optimization of biomethane production with response surface methodology: a case of cassava vinasse from a bioethanol distillery. Renewable Energy, 200, 395-404 (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.09.083
  • Fadara, O. A., Falowo, O. A., Ojumu, T. V., & Betiku, E. (2021). Process optimization of microwave-assisted transesterification of Kariya oil by Taguchi approach: application of Pawpaw trunk as a biocatalyst. Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, 15(4), 1006-1020 (Wiley). https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.2193
  • Oraegbunam, C. J., Oladipo, B., Falowo, O. A., & Betiku, E. (2020). Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of transesterification of sandbox oil into methyl esters through pH monitoring approach. Renewable Energy, 160, 526-537 (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.06.124
  • Okeleye, A. A., & Betiku, E. (2019) Kariya (Hildergadia bateri) seed oil extraction: comparative evaluation of solvents, modeling and optimization techniques. Chemical Engineering Communications, 206(9), 1181-1198 (Taylor and Francis). https://doi.org/10.1080/00986445.2018.1550397
  • Oloko-Oba, I. M., Taiwo, A. E., Ajala, S. O., Solomon, B. O., & Betiku, E. (2017) Performance evaluation of three different shaped bio-digesters for biogas production and optimization by artificial neural network integrated with genetic algorithm. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 26, 116-124 (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2017.10.006
  • Betiku E., & Taiwo A. E. (2015). Modeling and optimization of bioethanol production from breadfruit starch hydrolyzate vis-à-vis response surface methodology and artificial neural network. Renewable Energy, 74, 87-94. (Elsevier). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.07.054

Awards

  • German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholar
  • FAMU Faculty Research Award Program (FRAP)
  • World University Service (Germany) Award

Courses Taught At FAMU

  • BSC 1010 General Biology I
  • BSC 1010L General Biology I Lab
  • BSC 1005 Biological Science
  • BSC 1005L Biological Science Lab
  • BSC 4930/ BSC 4931 Biology Professional Seminar
  • BSC 6935 Special Topics in Biology
  • PCB 5455 Statistical Procedures

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