About

My research background is in environmental microbiology and ecotoxicology. For my PhD, I investigated the interactions between microorganisms and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pristine soil environments.

I have taught environmental management at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in UK Universities for over five years.

I have also worked with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) to deliver professional training courses to environmental professionals in various sectors including oil and gas, maritime and finance in the both the UK and abroad.

My experience also includes working with organisations to improve their environmental performance by implementing environmental management systems, conducting environmental audits and producing performance reports.

Research interests

My current research interests are around environmental management within organisations and the effectiveness of the tools businesses use to improve their environmental performance.

Recent publications

• Ogbonnaya, U.O., Oyelami, A.O., Umego, M.O., Okere, U.V., Oluwadare, A.D., Fasina, S.A. and Semple, K.T., 2017. Assessment of PAH contaminated land: Implementing a risk-based approach. Environmental Technology & Innovation. 
• Oyelami, A.O., Okere, U.V., Orwin, K.H., De Deyn, G.B., Jones, K.C. and Semple, K.T., 2013. Effects of plant species identity, diversity and soil fertility on biodegradation of phenanthrene in soil. Environmental pollution, 173, pp.231-237.
• Okere, U.V. and Semple, K.T., 2012. Biodegradation of PAHs in ‘pristine’ soils from different climatic regions. J Bioremed Biodegrad S, 1(2).
• Okere, U.V., Cabrerizo, A., Dachs, J., Jones, K.C. and Semple, K.T., 2012. Biodegradation of phenanthrene by indigenous microorganisms in soils from Livingstone Island, Antarctica. FEMS microbiology letters, 329 (1), pp.69-77.
• Okere, U.V., Schuster, J.K., Ogbonnaya, U.O., Jones, K.C. and Semple, K.T., 2017. Indigenous 14 C-phenanthrene biodegradation in “pristine” woodland and grassland soils from Norway and the United Kingdom. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, 19 (11), pp.1437-1444.
• Okere, U.V., Cabrerizo, A., Dachs, J., Ogbonnaya, U.O., Jones, K.C. and Semple, K.T., 2017. Effects of pre-exposure on the indigenous biodegradation of 14 C-phenanthrene in Antarctic soils. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 125, pp.189-199.
• Ogunkunle, C., Aniefiok, I., Adeniyi, S., Akintola, E. and Okere, U., 2017. Urban vegetable farming: Anthropic level, bioavailability, and health implication associated with bioaccumulated trace metals in selected vegetables in Ilorin, Nigeria. Pollution, 3(2), pp.285-300.

Membership of professional bodies

• PIEMA (Practitioner, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment)
• LCIWM (Licentiate Member, Chartered Institute of Waste Management)

Qualifications

• AFHEA (Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy)

Courses

• Sustainability and Environmental Management MSc (online)