Dr. Umarah Usman is a biochemist (Experimental Systems Biologist) currently researching metabolic growth regulation and engineering soil microbial communities for enhanced crop yields. She has a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In recognition to her doctoral work, she received the Jeff Schell Award 2019. Dr. Usman received a fellowship from the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) to continue her research as doctoral student, and pursued her work in the field of experimental systems biology. 

She now a research scientist at A&L Biologicals and is also an Adjunct Research Professor at Western University.