NIGERIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, 2025
Nomination Citation
Oladele “Dele” Ogunseitan, PhD, MPH is an internationally-prominent figure in the field of global public health. His distinguished career accomplishments in major categories of scholarship and professional prowess include:
- Academic Leadership: He is a University of California Presidential Chair and Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine), where he helped establish the Program in Public Health and was the founding Chair of the Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention.
- Research and Sustainability: Dr. Ogunseitan’s research focuses on global health issues like antimicrobial resistance and e-waste. He is also involved in sustainable development as co-director of the World Institute for Sustainable Development of Materials (WISDOM) and co-Chair of Apple Inc.’s Green Chemistry Advisory Board. He has contributed to policy through state panels on environmental protection and hazardous waste reduction.
- Government Service and Recognition: He served as a Jefferson Science Fellow and received an award from the U.S. Department of State for his work with the United Nations Environment Assembly.
- Fellowships and Honors: Dr. Ogunseitan is a fellow of several organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Microbiology, and is an alumni faculty fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
His work highlights the need to use science to address the health and environmental effects of manufacturing and hazardous waste, advocating for solutions that protect vulnerable populations and the environment. He has also discussed alternative approaches to managing e-waste, suggesting safer practices rather than complete bans on resale and exportation.