Dr. Collins Korbla Tay has been named the Director of the Soil Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI).

Dr. Tay, a chief research scientist takes over from Mr. Gabriel Willie Quansah who was acting.

Profile of Dr. Collins Korbla Tay

Dr. Collins Tay holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Ghana, Legon. His PhD Thesis was on “Hydrogeochemical processes influencing groundwater quality within the Lower Pra Basin, Ghana”.

He has over twenty-one (21) years of experience in water research and related resources. He has been working at the Environmental Chemistry and Sanitation Engineering Division of the CSIR-WRI as an Environmental toxicologist / Hydrogeochemist since July, 2001.

He is a Principal Research Scientist with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI).

Born in Accra, he attended the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, between 1992-1996 and 1998-2001. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Chemistry and a Master of Science (MSc) in Environmental Resources Management.

Additionally, he holds numerous Post Graduate Certificates including; Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) from the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS), Zugspitze, Germany, Senior Management Development Programme- GIMPA, Ghana; Advanced Analytical Techniques for Environmental Assessment, Ghana; Fundamentals of GC-MS and Spectral Interpretation, JKUAT, Kenya; Water Management, Treatment and Salinity Control, Egypt; Regional Training Course on Marine Nutrient Chemistry and Monitoring, Tunis, Tunisia; Specialization Course in Management of Water Resources and Water Services, Turin- Italy.

He is a member of the Ghana Science Association. He is also a former National President (2013-2015), National Vice President (2011-2013), and National Treasurer (2009-2011) of the Research Staff Association of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

He was a member of the Governing Council of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) -2013-2015, as well as the Governing Board of the CSIR College of Science and Technology. He has been Ag. Head of the Environmental Chemistry and Sanitation Engineering Division of the CSIR-WRI. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board- Cambridge Scholars Publishing, EAB Physical Sciences (Environmental Sciences), Editorial Board Member – Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences (Gavin Publishers) and Editorial Board Member- American Research Journal of Earth Sciences.

Dr. Tay has authored over 100 publications including over 30 scientific publications both in local and international Journals in the areas listed in his research interests and also over 5 Conference papers, a book and a book chapter.

He is a reviewer of scientific articles submitted to numerous Scientific journal both locally and internationally.

Dr. Tay has also served on a number of Boards, including; Governing Board of the CSIR College of Science and Technology, CSIR Governing Council.

Dr. Tay is currently a member of the Hazardous Chemicals Committee of the 6th Governing Board of Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana, Chairman, Editorial Committee of the CSIR-Water Research Institute, a member, Internal Management Committee (IMC) of the CSIR-Water Research Institute, a member of the CSIR-Water Research Institute Seminars/Workshop Committee.

Dr. Tay is also an External Examiner for the College of Basic and Applied Sciences- University of Ghana, Legon.

Speaking at his swearing-in, Dr. Tay promised to “consolidate the gains and build upon them to ensure continuity, progress and the upliftment of the image of the institute”.

He continued: “Management will maintain a continuous dialogue with staff in pursuit of our common interest and goals”.

Outgoing acting director, Mr. Gabriel Willie Quansah charged Dr. Tay to push for the implementation of a soil testing policy to ensure food security.

"A soil testing policy would be great complement to fertilizer subsidy programme. It would ensure that the right amount and type of fertilizer is applied to the soil, leading to better crop yields and improved soil health. I think it's a great idea to start lobbying policymakers to implement such policy," he said.

Director-General of CSIR, Prof. Paul Pinnock Bosu urged the new director to find innovative ways to increase the institute’s internally generated funds which has been challenging recently.