Current degree: PhD Water Resource Science
Type of mobility: PhD Degree-seeking mobility
Host university: Rhodes University, South Africa
Home university: University of Lagos, Nigeria
Summary:
As a continent striving for socio-economic development, we need to build internal capacity both in terms of technology and human expertise to tackle the challenges of concern, among which water and food security are essential to achieve sustainable development. The prospect of playing a vital role in this and contributing to any part of this process is truly fascinating and motivating.
I am trained in environmental quality management, focusing on environmental health and safety, environmental impact assessment, audit and monitoring, functional ecology, freshwater science, environmental toxicology, and management. I hope to continue researching to contribute meaningfully to the African continent's sustainable development by providing expert advice on water and ecology-related issues.
Research:
My current research is on plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems, specifically microplastics. Microplastics pollution in aquatic systems is increasingly becoming a concern as it may impact biota such as macroinvertebrates. While research efforts in this regard are on the rise, there is yet no complete scientific understanding of how and what might predispose aquatic organisms to microplastics in their respective habitats. Hence, this current study aims to investigate microplastics' distribution and effects on riverine macroinvertebrates using a mechanistic and trait-based approach. The study is looking at three urban rivers in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It will evaluate the distribution of microplastics in relation to land use and hydraulic habitat types. It will also use ecological preferences and the trait-based approach to explore macroinvertebrates' exposure to microplastics in the selected urban rivers and quantify the impact of such exposure. We also hope to interrogate existing methods for quantifying the exposure to and effects of microplastics on freshwater macroinvertebrates using the mechanistic approach. The study hopes to develop a mechanistic framework for predicting riverine macroinvertebrates' exposure to microplastics and contribute significantly to informing evidence-based policy in Africa.
In my previous work, I had focussed more on food security - evaluating the effects of the insects' pest of Telfairia occidentalis (a primary pot herb in West Africa) on the yield of the crop. I had also looked at the insecticidal activities of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) seed powder and a chemical protectant, Profenofos, against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) in stored rice.
Organisations and Awards:
Graduate Member, Society for Freshwater Science
Graduate Member, Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation
Skills and Expertise:
Health, Safety and Environmental Management
Toxicity testing and waste management
Environmental assessments and audits
Data analysis
Courses:
R - Statistical package (Beginner and Advanced)
Integrated Water Resources Management
NEBOSH IGC
Aquatic Animal Tracking
Connections:
Twitter: @enahoro_ko
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enahoro-kennedy-owowenu-090b62142
Last Modified: Fri, 25 Feb 2022 11:29:24 SAST