About

Dr Matthew K Essilfie is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Plant and Environmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana. He has taught several courses such as Diversity of Bryophytes, pteridophytes and Angiosperms; floral/Reproductive Biology, principles and approaches to Taxonomy at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the Department.He obtained his BSc (Botany) degree and Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast. In December 2000, he obtained his MPhil (Botany) degree from the University of Ghana and was later appointed as a Lecturer in the Department in October, 2001. He completed his PhD (Botany) degree from the same University in August, 2010 and was promoted to the position of Senior Lecturer in August, 2016. He also has a certificate in Herbarium Management from the Missouri Botanical Gardens, St Louis, USA.
His research interests include plant biodiversity and conservation studies, morphological and phytochemical variation in plant species and the documentation of bryophyte and pteridophyte diversity in Ghana. In the course of his academic career, he has also attended several conferences and workshops and has published several scientific articles in both local and international journals. 
He has also served on a number of committees and boards both within and outside of the University.

Education

BSc, MPhil & PhD (Ghana)

Research Interest

Plant Taxonomy and Systematics

Publications

Selected Publications

1. Hodgetts, N, G., Essilfie, M. K., Adu-Gyamfi, A., Akom, E., Kumadoh, J. and Opoku, J. (2016). Bryophytes of Atewa Forest, Eastern Region. Journal of Bryology, DOI: 10.1080/03736687.2016.1145525
2. Asante, I. K., Annan, K., Essilfie, M., K., and Tater, V. (2016). Effect of Induced Mutation on Antioxidant Activity in Ocimum bassilicum Linn. Nature Science, 8, 192-195
3. Asante, I., K., Essilfie, M., K., Kwarteng, M. and Amuzah, O. (2016). Phytochemical Investigation and Thin Layer Chromatography of Methanolic Extracts of some Selected Grain Legumes. Journal of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, 5(3): 240-244
4. Essilfie, M., K., and Oteng-Yeboah, A., A. (2013). Morphometric Studies of Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. F. ex. Benth. In Coastal Savanna Zone of Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, Vol 21(1), 1-13
5. Essilfie, M., K., and Motey, G., A. (2012). Preliminary Classification of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas(l)) LAM) Varieties in Ghana using Morphological and Storage Protein Characters from SDS-PAGE. Ghana Journal of Science, 52: 51-59
6. Essilfie, M., K. and Oteng-Yeboah, A., A. (2012). Preliminary Taxonomic and Ecological Studies on Vegetative and Floral Phenology and Soil Composition of Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. F. ex. Benth. (Rutaceae) found in Coastal Savanna Locations of Ghana. Ghana Journal of Science, 52: 31-39
7. Essilfie, M., K., and Asiedu-Mante, H. (2012). Taxonomic Evaluation of Three Ghanaian Varieties of Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L) Schoot.) using Total Storage Protein Bands from SDS-PAGE Technique. Ghana Journal of Science, 52: 41-49.
8. Essilfie, M. K., Asante, I., K., Enu-Kwesi, L., and Markwei, C. M. (2010). Numerical Taxonomy and Morphological Variation of Cultivated Okra Species (Abelmoschus esculentus and A. caillei) in Ghana. Journal of Ghana Science Association, Vol12(1): 99-113
9. Essilfie, M., K., Asante, I., K., Enu-Kwesi, L., and Markwei, C., M. (2010). Taxonomic Significance of Some Vernacular Names of Okra Accessions (Abelmoschus spp.) in Ghana. Journal of Ghana Science Association, Vol 12(1): 39-47