Nigerian Akinloye Ojewole honored for environmental research excellence in US

A Nigerian environmental sciences graduate student in the United State of America, Akinloye Ojewole has been recognized for his exceptional demonstration of exceptional academic proficiency and unwavering commitment to environmental research.

Ojewole who has won several academic and professional awards for his research in environmental sciences and climate change action advocacy was recognized for his exceptional contributions to the environmental field.

Ojewole who hailed from Nigeria, immersed himself in rigorous academic coursework and hands-on research experiences, focusing on areas such as environmental health and risk management, waste management, and climate change.

He once stated that Nigeria is facing a multitude of environmental issues, such as deforestation, improper waste management, and water, and air pollution.

Akinloye’s journey to success is one marked by passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges.

His research endeavors culminated in a groundbreaking project that earned him widespread recognition within the academic community.

Ojewole’s exemplary research achievements were celebrated at the 2022 Illinois Academy of Science Conference, where he clinched the coveted First Position Presentation Award in the Environmental Science division.

At the conference, Ojewole presented his research work at SIUE to a large scientific community along with faculty and students from other institutions.

His presentation, which elucidated key findings from his research project, impressed the judges (professors and other experts in the field) and peers, earning him accolades for his significant research contributions.

Ojewole’s commitment to academic excellence and unwavering dedication to his studies have attracted many rewards, as he has emerged as a trailblazer in the field of environmental science.

At his US institution, he was among the very few successful students to receive the highly competitive SIUE’s Research Grants for Graduate Students (RGGS) for his research on assessing toxic metal contamination in water and fish in Illinois.

The grant was awarded following the review of his submitted research proposal by the Research Projects Advisory Board (RPAB).
.The grant awarded not only recognizes Akinloye’s academic prowess but also provides crucial financial support for his research endeavors.

Graduating among the top one percent of his class and following recommendations of his academic advisor at SIUE and consideration and approval by the Department of Environmental Sciences faculty board, Ojewole was awarded the Outstanding Environmental Sciences Graduate Student Award.

The award is usually given to an outstanding graduate student in Environmental Science and was given to him for his exemplary academic commitment, through research, teaching, academic publication, and dedication to his responsibilities as a research and teaching assistant at the department.

This is the first time in years the award was given to a Nigerian student at the department.

In addition to research, Ojewole is also a strong advocate for climate change actions and science funding. He recently joined other members of his professional association, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in Washington DC, USA, to advocate for science funding and lobby US congressmen to prioritize science funding in the FY25 appropriation.

He is also a member of the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL-USA) and a recipient of the CCL Inclusion Scholarship. This scholarship enabled him to participate at the CCL’s international climate conference in Washington DC, USA, where he actively lobbied for climate change actions and reducing global carbon footprints.

Reflecting on his accomplishments, Akinloye expressed gratitude for the support and mentorship he received from his professors, peers, and research collaborators.

He emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the need for proactive measures to safeguard the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

As he continues to pursue his academic and professional endeavours, he remains steadfast in his commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

His remarkable achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring researchers and underscore the transformative power of education and research in addressing pressing environmental issues on a global scale.

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