Mandla Bhuda | Environmental Chemistry | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Mandla Bhuda | Environmental Chemistry | Research Excellence Award

University of South Africa | South Africa

Dr. Mandla Freddy Bhuda is an emerging leader in environmental and public health research, with a strong focus on air pollution exposure and its impacts on vulnerable populations in South Africa. His work is rooted in rigorous scientific inquiry, informed by extensive professional experience as an environmental health practitioner, occupational hygienist and municipal health services manager. Dr. Bhuda’s research provides critical evidence on the burden of indoor and outdoor air pollution in low-income communities, particularly its effects on preschool children. His peer-reviewed publications explore the relationships between pollution sources, particulate matter (PM2.5) composition, household fuel use, and adverse health outcomes such as asthma and atopic eczema. By combining epidemiological approaches with environmental monitoring, chemical analysis and atmospheric modelling, he has advanced understanding of pollution source attribution and health risk quantification in under-researched South African townships. His recent studies in Mabopane and Soshanguve offer novel insights into trace-element analysis and the geographic origins of polluted air masses findings with significant implications for local policy and targeted interventions. Dr. Bhuda has secured competitive funding from the National Research Foundation, Ninety-One Projects and the University of Pretoria for studies on air quality and child health, demonstrating research leadership and sustained academic impact. His work not only enriches scientific literature but also supports evidence-based public health planning, environmental governance and community protection initiatives. Through his contributions as a Senior Lecturer in Public Health, he continues to mentor emerging scholars while producing research that enhances understanding of environmental health risks and advances strategies to reduce pollution-related disease burdens in South Africa.

Profiles : Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Bhuda, M., Wichmann, J., & Shirinde, J. (2024). Association between outdoor and indoor air pollution sources and atopic eczema among preschool children in South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3).

Bhuda, M., Wichmann, J., & Shirinde, J. (2024). Household fuel use and severe asthma symptoms among preschool children in Gauteng province, South Africa: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Public Health, 2(2), e000938.

Bhuda, M., Molnár, P., Boman, J., Shirinde, J., & Wichmann, J. (2025). Health risks of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its trace elements in Mabopane, South Africa. Environmental Quality Management, 35(2), e70189.

Bhuda, M., Molnár, P., Boman, J., Shirinde, J., & Wichmann, J. (2025). PM2.5 chemical composition and geographic origin of air masses in Mabopane, South Africa. X-Ray Spectrometry.

 

Oluwaseyi Samson Ojo | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Dr. Oluwaseyi Samson Ojo | Environmental Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer II | Abiola Ajimobi Technical University | Nigeria

Dr. OJO Oluwaseyi Samson is an accomplished scholar in the field of Industrial Chemistry whose research has significantly advanced understanding of environmental pollution, analytical chemistry, and sustainable chemical processes. With a robust academic background culminating in a Ph.D. in Chemistry, he has consistently demonstrated excellence in scientific research, teaching, and professional service. His primary research interests center on the investigation of trace organic compounds, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and microbial contaminants across diverse environmental matrices such as groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediments. Through extensive field studies and analytical assessments, Dr. Ojo has generated vital baseline data essential for evaluating environmental quality and public health implications in Nigeria and similar developing regions. His scholarly contributions are well-documented in reputable international journals, including Chemistry Africa, Energy Reports, and the American Journal of Food Science and Technology. His research publications explore critical topics such as biodiesel development from non-conventional vegetable oils, heavy metal speciation in groundwater, health risk assessment of surface waters, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in sediments and food products. These studies not only enhance scientific understanding but also offer practical mitigation strategies for environmental pollution and sustainable industrial practices. Beyond research, Dr. Ojo actively contributes to academic growth through teaching and mentorship. He lectures in core chemistry and industrial process courses, such as Reaction Kinetics, Instrumental Methods of Analysis, and Water and Wastewater Treatment, inspiring the next generation of chemists. As an Associate Member of the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria, he also integrates strategic and environmental management perspectives into his professional practice. His dedication to addressing pressing environmental challenges, coupled with his commitment to sustainable industrial chemistry, positions Dr. OJO Oluwaseyi Samson as an exemplary researcher whose work continues to make a meaningful impact on science, society, and environmental health.

Profile : Scopus 

Featured Publications

Ojo, O. S., Oyekunle, J. A. O., Adedayo, O. S., Oyebode, B. A., Adeagbo, D. O., Adekunle, A. S., & Ogunfowokan, O. A. (2025). Evaluation of contamination indices of heavy metals in the soils within the vicinity of students’ residential agglomerations in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. International Journal of Analytical Chemistry.

Oyekunle, J. A. O., Durodola, S. S., Adekunle, A. S., Afolabi, F. P., Ore, O. T., Lawal, M. S., & Ojo, O. S. (2021). Potentially toxic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons composition of some popular biscuits in Nigeria. Chemistry Africa, The Journal of the Tunisian Chemical Society and Springer Nature Switzerland.

Adekunle, A. S., Oyekunle, J. A. O., Oladele, S. O., Ojo, O. S., & Nobanathi, W. M. (2020). Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and health risk assessment of surface water and sediments of River Sasa, Ife North Local Government Area, Nigeria. Chemistry Africa, The Journal of the Tunisian Chemical Society and Springer Nature Switzerland, 2522–5758.

Adekunle, A. S., Oyekunle, J. A. O., Ojo, O. S., Makinde, O. W., Nkambule, T. T. I., & Mamba, B. B. (2019). Heavy metal speciation, microbial study and physicochemical properties of some groundwaters: A case study. Chemistry Africa, The Journal of the Tunisian Chemical Society and Springer Nature Switzerland.

Oyekunle, J. A. O., Elugoke, S. E., Adekunle, A. S., Ojo, O. S., Oyinloye, A. J., Fakoya, O. T., Obisesan, O. R., & Durodola, S. S. (2019). Biodiesel potentials and lubricating properties of Citrus sinensis seed oil. International Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 4(2), 84–92.