Paul Ayayee

General Information

Google Scholar 

ORCID

ResearchGate

Biography

Paul Ayayee arrived at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, in 2020, after graduating with a Ph.D. in Entomology from the Pennsylvania State University in 2014, and postdoctoral positions at the Ohio State University, Kent State University, and the University of Wyoming.

Teaching Interests

Introductions to Biology, Entomology, Microbial Ecology

Courses taught: BIOL 1750 

Research Interests

My research interests encompass the fields of Entomology, Ecology, Environmental Microbiology, and Evolution. Areas of special interest to me at the moment include, insect-microbe symbioses, plant-insect-microbe interactions, the origins, nature and functions of these interactions, and functions of free-living microbial assemblages ( bacteria, fungi, and phages) in a variety of ecosystems (pristine, degraded, and restored), with regards to nutrient-cycling, biogeochemical processes with the aim of generating quantifiable ecosystem functions.

Service Summary 

Since arriving at UNO, I have carried out several service duties internally and in the greater Omaha and Nebraska communities. I am currently the faculty mentor for the African Students Association. I have been serving in this capacity since 2021, when the organization's administrative body requested it. I have also organized and carried out several outreach presentations and lab sessions with organizations in the metropolitan area and Western Nebraska. I enjoy talking about my work and how my research (either in insects or environmental microbiology) relates to people's understanding of the natural world around them.

Education 

BS, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana, Zoology and Biochemistry, 2004

MS, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, Entomology, 2009

Ph D, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, Entomology, 2014

Professional Development

Community of Practice: Teaching, Teaching Analysis By Students (TABS), 03/05/2024 - 05/05/2024

Workshop, Intergroup Dialogue Faculty Experience , 08/01/2024 - 08/05/2024

Scholarship/Research/Creative Activity

Selected Publications

Ayayee, Paul. 2024. Unveiling salinity-driven shifts in microbial community composition across compartments of naturally saline inland streams, Hydrobiologia, 851, 2627–2639.

Ayayee, Paul, Ikuze, Edith, Cromwell, Stephanie, Louis, Joe. 2024. Influence of Microbes in Mediating Sorghum Resistance to Sugarcane Aphids, MDPI, 16, 85, 1-10.

Ayayee, Paul, Petersen, Nick, Riusch, Jennifer , Rauter, Claudia, Larsen, Thomas. 2024. Enhanced gut microbiome supplementation of essential amino acids in Diploptera punctata fed low-protein plant-based diet, Frontiers in Insect Science, 4, 1-10.

Ayayee, Paul, Wong, Ryan. 2024. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavioral phenotypes not underscored by different gut microbiota, Ecology and Evolution, 14, 9, 1-10.

Van Gray, Jonathon, Ayayee, Paul. 2024. Examining the impacts of salt specificity on freshwater microbial community and functional potential following salinization, Environmental Microbiology, 26, 5.

Externally Funded Research 

Linking the riverine microbiome and process rates to ecosystem function in two Nebraska river systems, UNL-Univ of Nebraska-Lincoln, Universities, 02/07/2023 - 01/06/2027

Nitrate loading and legacy effects on nitrogen and carbon cycling in the playa wetlands of the High Plains, UNL-Univ of Nebraska-Lincoln, Universities, 02/07/2023 - 01/06/2027

Directed Student Learning 

Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Comparative Analysis of Microbial Profiles and Trade-offs in Sorghum Cultivars (SC1345 and SC265) Under Drought and Salinity Stresses, Completed

Master's Thesis Committee Member, Isolation and characterization of anaerobic gut bacteria from marmosets, In-Process

Service

Department, College, and University

Budget committee, Committee Member, As a standing committee member, we evaluate requests from faculty members for use of department funds, as per the guidelines established by the budget committee., 01/01/2022 - present

Participating in the University's Faculty Mentoring Program, Other, Participating in the UNO Faculty Mentoring Program , new faculty are paired with older faculty to provide mentorship. I am currently paired with Dr. Derrick Nero. This is our second year paired together under the program, 01/01/2022 - present

Professional

PeerJ, Editor, Associate Editor, Serve as the subject editor for the plant-insect-microbe subject category under PeerJ. Have been assigned 7 submission and have overseen the process for three so far. Currently overseeing 4 in various stages of review or resubmission., 03/14/2022 - present

Frontiers , Other, As a review editor, i am responsible for reviewing or assigning submitted manuscripts to selected reviewers for assessments, 04/02/2024 - present

Community

Baldwin Wildlife Rehab center, Guest Speaker, 10/01/2024 - present

UNO, Other, 10/01/2022 - present

Media Contributions

Radio, RADIOLAB, Served as a consultant on the podcast and provided samples for a subject matter. The links for the episodes and the videos with my contributions are here: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab-kids/articles/terrestrials-guardian-tsetse-fly , and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmUBUS7MrjM , 09/09/2022