Meet Osman, Metabolic Engineer at Newera Bio
A visionary synthetic biologist and circular economy advocate, Osman Nabayire Kanwugu blends the resourcefulness of his agrarian childhood with the precision of metabolic engineering to pioneer sustainable colour solutions. His journey - from repurposing farm waste to programming microbial dyes - embodies a profound belief that industry can thrive in harmony with Earth’s ecosystems.
Osman’s journey began with a Biochemistry degree at Ghana’s University for Development Studies, blending lab research with rural fieldwork. While researching pathogens as a medical research assistant, he found himself drawn to a different question: Could microbes be collaborators, not just adversaries? This curiosity propelled him to Ural Federal University in Russia for a Master’s in Biotechnology, where the circular economy framework resonated deeply – a concept that mirrored the resourcefulness of his childhood, where nothing was wasted.
Later, during his cotutelle PhD at Macquarie University, Osman engineered yeast to convert methanol into astaxanthin, a prized aquaculture pigment. The work mirrored his grandmother’s fermentation craft, transforming millet and sorghum into a traditional local beer. At Macquarie, he crossed paths with synthetic biologist Xin Xu and microbiologist Lucie Semenec . Collaborating with Dr. Xin Xu and Dr. Lucie Semenec, he honed a mission: to combat the textile industry’s fossil fuel - derived dyes, responsible for 20% of global water pollution.
Today, as a metabolic engineer newera.bio , Osman designs microbial platforms to produce biodegradable dyes from agricultural byproducts. “In Ghana, we turned cassava peels into livestock feed and corncob and maize stalks into fuel,” he says. “Now, we’re using those same principles to turn crop residues into pigments.”
In a family where resourcefulness shaped their relationship with the world, Osman understood from a young age that sustainability isn’ optional - it’s foundational. “My father taught me that land is not inherited but borrowed,” he reflects. This philosophy drives his work at Newera Bio where every innovation must answer two questions: Does it respect nature’s limits? Does it leave room for future generations?
Osman’s favourite colour, turquoise, reflects his vision for a regenerative future. For Osman, turquoise is more than a hue - it’s a bridge between his past and future. “Turquoise is the shade of rainwater collected in clay pots, the glint of sunlight on the Volta River,” he says. “It reminds me that progress should mirror nature’s balance - vibrant yet gentle, transformative yet regenerative.”
From Ghana’s farmlands to global fashion supply chains, Osman’s work proves that biotechnology can honour tradition while forging radical change. At Newera Bio, he and the team are crafting a palette where every colour tells a story of renewal - one fermented molecule at a time.