Nigerian scientist leads global effort to tackle water pollution – The Nation Newspaper

Report on Motunrayo Oladele’s Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals through Environmental Chemistry

Introduction

Motunrayo Oladele, a Nigerian doctoral researcher and principal investigator at the University of Kentucky, is developing innovative solutions to address the global crisis of water contamination. Her work integrates chemistry, engineering, and environmental science to create accessible, affordable, and sustainable methods for water purification. This research directly confronts the challenge of removing emerging pollutants, which pose a significant threat to ecosystems and human health, and is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Research Innovations and Alignment with SDGs

Ms. Oladele’s research focuses on creating low-cost, high-efficiency systems for water remediation, with a significant emphasis on achieving key SDG targets.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The core objective of her work is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water. Her studies target persistent chemicals and trace contaminants found in industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and drinking water sources.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) & SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): An NSF-funded project led by Ms. Oladele successfully converted stillage, a bioethanol production byproduct, into engineered biochar. This process transforms industrial residue into a sustainable adsorbent for capturing and degrading contaminants, demonstrating a circular economy approach to pollution control.
• Advanced Technologies for a Safer Environment: She is currently pioneering the use of aerosolized microdroplet technologies to accelerate pollutant degradation at the air-water interface. This approach represents a new frontier in designing chemical processes for environmental safety, contributing to goals related to environmental protection under SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Leadership and Scientific Community Engagement

Ms. Oladele’s influence extends beyond her laboratory research through active leadership roles that shape scientific dialogue on sustainability and innovation. Her engagement fosters collaboration, which is central to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Coordinator, American Chemical Society (ACS) GSSPC: She serves on the elite Graduate Student Symposium Planning Committee, organizing national symposia for the world’s largest chemistry society.
• Student Representative, Eastern Analytical Symposium: She has been recognized as a representative for one of North America’s most respected scientific meetings.
• Peer Reviewer: She contributes to maintaining rigorous global standards of scientific excellence by serving as a peer reviewer for major international journals, including Springer Nature, PLOS One, Scientific Reports, and ACS Omega.

Commitment to STEM Outreach and Mentorship

A significant aspect of Ms. Oladele’s work is her dedication to education and mentorship, directly supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) by inspiring and empowering future generations of scientists.

1. She has coordinated numerous science-education initiatives.
2. She serves as a judge at regional and national science fairs across the United States.
3. She actively mentors young scholars, guiding them toward academic awards and graduate placements.
4. As a Lead Teaching Assistant in Organic Chemistry at the University of Kentucky, she received the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for exceptional instructional leadership.

Academic Background and Recognition

Originally from Oyo State, Nigeria, Ms. Oladele graduated as the Best Student in Chemistry from Olabisi Onabanjo University. Her foundational research on water purification earned her national recognition. Her recent accolades in the United States include:

• The Max Steckler Award for outstanding research performance.
• The People’s Choice Award and Second Place Award at the University of Kentucky’s Graduate Teaching Showcase.
• The Champion of Service Award from Serve Kentucky.

Vision for Sustainable Impact

Ms. Oladele’s professional mission is to ensure that scientific solutions are translated from the laboratory to communities most in need, from rural Nigeria to industrial cities in the U.S. Her vision is rooted in sustainability, equity, and innovation. Through her research, mentorship, and outreach, she aims to become a global leader in environmental chemistry, contributing to the global response to pollution and climate change and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most prominent SDG, explicitly mentioned in the article. The entire focus of Motunrayo Oladele’s research is on making “clean water accessible, affordable, and sustainable” by developing technologies to remove “contaminated water and chemical pollution.”
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article states that the pollutants Oladele’s work targets “endanger both ecosystems and human health.” By developing methods to remove these harmful contaminants, her work directly contributes to reducing illnesses and deaths caused by water pollution.
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Oladele’s work is described as “pioneering studies,” “innovation,” and “cutting-edge research.” Her development of new technologies like “engineered biochar materials” and “aerosolized microdroplet technologies” exemplifies the scientific research and technological upgrading central to this goal.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Her research focuses on the sustainable management of waste. The project that converted “stillage, a byproduct of bioethanol production, into engineered biochar materials” is a direct example of transforming industrial residues into a valuable product for pollution control, aligning with the goal of environmentally sound management of waste.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education: The article highlights Oladele’s deep commitment to education through her roles as a “Lead Teaching Assistant,” her “STEM outreach and mentorship,” and her coordination of “science-education initiatives.” Her work to “inspire and empower future generations” directly supports the aims of this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. Oladele’s research on methods to “capture and degrade harmful contaminants” and “accelerate pollutant degradation” in industrial effluents and drinking water sources directly addresses the reduction of pollution and the release of hazardous chemicals.
   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. Her work confronts the removal of pollutants that “endanger… human health” and are classified as emerging pollutants due to their “persistence and toxicity,” thereby contributing to this target.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation. The article details her “NSF-funded research,” “pioneering the use of aerosolized microdroplet technologies,” and her overall mission to “innovate for a healthier, more sustainable world,” which aligns perfectly with enhancing scientific research and innovation.
   • Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Her project converting “stillage, a byproduct of bioethanol production,” into a useful material for remediation is a clear example of the environmentally sound management of industrial waste.
   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. Oladele’s extensive “STEM outreach and mentorship,” her role in organizing national symposia on “sustainability, innovation, and environmental chemistry,” and her passion to “inspire others to innovate for a healthier, more sustainable world” are direct actions toward achieving this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • For Target 6.3: An implied indicator is the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of her water purification systems. The article mentions her goal to design “low-cost, high-efficiency systems,” suggesting that the rate of pollutant removal and the affordability of the technology are key metrics for measuring progress.
   • For Target 3.9: While not explicitly stated, a logical indicator for progress would be the reduction in the concentration of “emerging pollutants” and “trace contaminants” in drinking water sources as a result of her technologies. This would directly correlate with a lower risk of illnesses from these hazardous substances.
   • For Target 9.5: The article provides several indicators of her contribution to scientific research and innovation. These include receiving an “NSF-funded research” grant, publishing in “major international journals such as Springer Nature and PLOS One,” and winning the “Max Steckler Award for outstanding research performance.”
   • For Target 12.4: An indicator is the successful transformation of industrial waste into a valuable product. The article states her project “demonstrated how agricultural and industrial residues can be transformed into sustainable adsorbents,” implying that the amount of waste repurposed and the amount of pollution it mitigates are measurable outcomes.
   • For Target 4.7: The article mentions concrete outcomes of her mentorship and educational activities. An indicator is the success of her mentees, who have “gone on to win academic awards and secure graduate placements.” Another is the number of “science-education initiatives” she has coordinated and her recognition with the “Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.”

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (as identified in the article)
   SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals.	Development of “low-cost, high-efficiency systems” for water purification; successful “removal of emerging pollutants.”
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: Substantially reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and water pollution.	Reduction in the concentration of toxic pollutants that “endanger… human health” in water sources.
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	9.5: Enhance scientific research and encourage innovation.	Receiving “NSF-funded research” grants; “pioneering” new technologies; winning awards for “outstanding research performance.”
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes.	Successful conversion of industrial byproducts (“stillage”) into “sustainable adsorbents” for pollution control.
   SDG 4: Quality Education	4.7: Ensure learners acquire knowledge and skills for sustainable development.	Number of “science-education initiatives” coordinated; mentees winning academic awards and securing graduate placements; receiving teaching awards.

Source: thenationonlineng.net