Marcellin Fotsing
- Lead special projects.
- Supervise a work team and provide scientific and technical operational advice to the work unit.
- Review and interpret data.
- Provide direction and guidance relevant to the method development.
Current research and/or projects
Development, Optimization and Validation of an Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Rapid Determination of Atropine and Scopolamine in Canola Oil and Canola based Foods
Research and/or project statements
In 2015, Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) was discovered in Alberta (Canada) canola fields. Jimsonweed seeds are similar in size to canola seeds therefore they can be easily mixed up during processing. Since most of the canola is used for oil production, concerns were raised by Alberta Provincial officials over the presence of tropane alkaloid toxins in canola oil. In Canada, no sampling has been done so far to assess the occurrence of tropane alkaloids (TAs) in foods. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does not test for this specific group of toxins. In order to provide an opinion on canola oil and canola-based products, which would be relevant to Canada, data and information on TAs in oils from Canada would be needed. The aim of my research was to provide CFIA with a validated method that will allow for data to be collected on Canadian samples which will then provide some relevant information on the current status of tropane alkaloid in foods.
Professional activities / interests
Senior Laboratory Professional / Operational Excellence
- More than 12 year’s managing operations in a scientific and environmental laboratory setting
- Specialized in Scientific & Environmental Research (Laboratory & Field Operations) and Operational Excellence
- More than 10 years’ collecting scientific data and creating complex statistical reports, graphs
- Have participated in RFP’s (valued up to $500k)
- To date have worked on 30+ research projects (2001-2018);
- Have participated in roll-out of a ISO 17025 quality system (03/2006)
- Have supervised teams of up to 3 lab technicians and have trained groups of up to 30 on operational excellence
- Member of the The Ordre des chimistes du Québec (OCQ)
- Past employers include: MLU (Germany), Maxxam Analytics (part of Bureau Veritas), École Polytechnique de Montréal, Industriel Alliance
- Langage: French-English; conversational German
CORE AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Laboratory Operations: Continuous Improvement • Interpretation of Sequencing Results • KPI Creation • Operational Excellence • Operations Performance Enhancement • Process Optimization • Root Cause Elimination • Scientific Proposal Writing • SOP's • Total Quality Management
Safety & Quality Assurance: Emergency Response Plans • EPA • Safety Regulations • QA Analysis • QA Management • QA Monitoring • Quality Improvement Processes • SOP Development
Data Analysis: Correlation • Data Collection • Data Correlation Charts • Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis • Research Analysis • Statistics
Training/Leadership: Coaching & Mentoring • Employee Training
Education and awards
Executive MBA (Management), 2009-2011
University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM)
- In partnership with the China University of Mining & Technology (CUMT)
- Completed 3 months internship with former employer, Maxxam Analytics (part of Bureau Veritas) as Operational Excellence Consultant (2010) Completed Certification in Business in China at (CUMT), China (04/2011)
Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) in Chemistry, 2001-2004
Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
Recipient of 2 full scholarships (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) (2001-2004)
Major Projects:
- Electrochemical Behavior & Synthesis: Served as Laboratory/Research Assistant for 3 years, where studied the electrochemical behavior of electrolytic systems (1 yr) and the mechanism, synthesis and characterization of copper(I) and zinc(II) complexes (2 yrs) (2001-2003).
- Nanostructuration: Served as Laboratory/Research Associate for one year, where developed and tested a new nanostructuration working station (6 mo.) and modified metallic surfaces by electrodeposition of metal and develop a micro-cell for electrochemical synthesis (1 yr) (2003-2004).
B.Sc. & M.Sc. in Chemistry, 1993-1999
University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon
Specialization in Analytical Chemistry
Major Project:
- Electrochemistry of Clays: Served as a Laboratory Demonstrator/ Research Assistant, where studied the electrochemical behavior of clays, using the carbon paste electrode, industrial waste water treatment by electrocoagulation (1997-2000)
Awards
- Concours du Président 2016 - Catégorie Bronze, iA
- Mon premier Défi 2015 Industrielle Alliance (iA)
- Maxxam SPOT Award 2008
International experience and/or work
Supervisor Science Laboratory Services,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Ottawa Laboratory (Carling)
Feed and Fertilizers Section since June 2017.
- Supervise and plan Sample Reception unit and Staff.
- Lead special projects
- Insure data interpretation and data review.
- Write analytical protrocols
Special Project Chemist,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Ottawa Laboratory (Carling)
Food Chemistry Section October 2016 - June 2017.
- Lead special projects
- Insure data interpretation and data review.
- Write analytical protrocols
Laboratory & Operational Excellence Consultant
B4E SOLUTION Montreal, 2013-2016
- Analyze operational performance versus expectation, identify gaps, and recommend action
- Establish performance targets for the team and measure compliance
- Engage operations to identify and deliver improvements to process, based on the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology
- Provide expertise, proactive support, advice, and counsel when implementing changes within operations
Research Associate / Chemist
École Polytechnique de Montréal, 2007-2014
- Work in the Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Dept.,
- Develop and validate analytical techniques ( IC, ICP, GC/ECD and HPLC)
- Provide expertise with GLP, QC and QA
- Manage analytical laboratory daily, optimizing processes
Highlights: Developing and validating analytical methods for trace level compounds (Bromate, THMs, HAAs and Lead) identification; in charge of call for tenders; collecting, analyzing quantitative and qualitative information and draw out conclusion and recommandation.
Laboratory Analyst / Chemist / Operational Excellence
Maxxam Analytics (part of Bureau Veritas), Montreal, Quebec, 2005-2007; 2010
- Worked as an Laboratory Analyst in the Inorganic Dept. (2005-2006) and subsequently as a Chemist in the Organic Dept. (2006-2007)
- Performed analysis and prepared complex samples, to include analysis of soils, waters, petroleum hydrocarbons (C10-C50) (by GC/FID) and of total and mineral oil and grease
- Validated different analysis methods
- Compiled and validated data/results and generated analytical reports
- Followed up on contaminations and interferences with the laboratory
- Recommended revisions and revised SOP’s
- Involved in the daily and weekly planning and work scheduling
- Ensured proper maintenance of instruments and equipments
Highlights: Trained 5+ Analysts per year. Following Executive MBA, completed a 3 month internship with former employer, Maxxam Analytics (part of Bureau Veritas) as Operational Excellence Consultant (2010)
Recipient of the Maxxam SPOT Award (2008)
Key publications
Publications
M. Fotsing, J. Haché, V. Bédard, T. Field Development, Optimization and Validation of an UPLC-QDa Method for Rapid Determination of Tropane Alkaloids in Foods, Food Analytical Methods, (en cours de préparation).
L. Méité, M. Fotsing, B. Barbeau, Efficacy of Ozone to Reduce Chlorinated Disinfection By-Products in Quebec (Canada) Drinking Water Facilities, Ozone: Science & Engineering, (2014).
M. Fotsing, B. Barbeau and M. Prevost, Low-level bromate analysis in drinking water by ion chromatography with optimized suppressed conductivity cell current followed by a post-column reaction and UV/Vis detection, J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part A, 46, 420-425 (2011).
M. Fotsing Kamte, Ch. Wagner and W. Schäfer, Crystal Structure of (cyano-C)(1,10-phenanthroline-N,N´)(triphenylphosphane)copper(I), Analytical Sciences, 21, x5-x6 (2005).
M. Fotsing Kamte, Ch. Wagner and W. Schaefer, Direct Electrosynthesis of Cyano Copper(I) Complexes: X-ray Crystal Structure of (cyano-C)(2,2´-bipyridine-N,N´)(triphenylphosphane)copper(I), Journal of Coordination Chemistry, 57, 55 (2004).
M. Fotsing Kamte, U. Baumeister and W. Schäfer, Electrochemical Synthesis of Tricyanomethyl Copper Complexes, Zeitschrift fuer Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie, 629, 1919-1924 (2003).
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Marcellin Fotsing, Détermination du goulot d’étranglement dans un processus analytique. Assemblée générale annuelle (AGA) de l'Ordre des Chimistes du Québec, Saint-Alexis-des-Monts (Qc) Canada (2014).
Marcellin Fotsing, Analyse du plomb en trace dans l’eau potable suite à l’optimisation du couplage nébuliseur ultrasonique et ICP-AES. Spectr’Atom 2013, Mont-Tremblant (Qc) Canada (2013).
M. Fotsing, Analyse des bromates en faible concentration dans l’eau potable par chromatographie ionique avec génération des réactifs post-colonne, Journée d’information de la Chaire industrielle en eau potable, Montréal (Qc), Canada (2007).
M. Fotsing Kamte and W. Schäfer, Electrochemical Reactions in Electrosynthesis of Organocopper(I) Compounds, Graduate School ``Hydrogen Bridges and Hydrogen Bonds, Free University Berlin´´, FU Berlin, Germany (2004).
M. Fotsing Kamte and W. Schäfer, Liquid Crystal as Templates for the Electrodeposition of Metals, Workshop of the Graduate Study Program ``Self-organization by Coordinative and non-covalent Interaction´´, Schönburg, Germany (2003).
M. Fotsing Kamte and W. Schäfer, Direct Electrosynthesis of Organocopper Compounds, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon (2002).
M. Fotsing Kamte and W. Schäfer, Electrosynthesis of Copper Nitrile Complexes, 11. Seminar des Arbeitskreises Elektrochemie in Sachsen (AKES), TU Dresden, Germany (2002).
Contact
Research facility
Expertise
Affiliations
- Member of the Ordre des Chimistes du Québec
- Member of examiners committee of the Ordre des Chimistes du Québec
- Certified Trainer with agreement from "Commission des partenaires du marché du travail du Québec"