Oladele Ogunseitan

Oladele Ogunseitan is a Distinguished Professor and University of California Presidential Chair at the University of California, Irvine. He serves as the founding Chair of the Department of Population Health & Disease Prevention and is a Professor of Social Ecology. A globally recognized expert in environmental health, he directs research on toxic pollutants, antimicrobial resistance, and sustainable materials through affiliations with the World Institute for Sustainable Development of Materials (WISDOM) and the UC Global Health Institute.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Tennessee
• M.P.H. in Environmental Health Sciences, University of California, Berkeley
• Certificates: International Health (UC Berkeley), Teaching By Case Method (Harvard), Global Health Diplomacy (U.S. Foreign Service Institute)
• Board Certification in Environmental Science (AAEES, 2018)
• Certified in Public Health (NBPHE, 2019)

Research Interests: Dr. Ogunseitan investigates the nexus of industrial development, environmental toxicity, and public health. His work spans microbial ecology, One Health frameworks, and global e-waste management, with emphasis on antibiotic stewardship, green materials design, and climate-health interactions. Research integrates laboratory science, policy analysis, and community engagement to reduce disease burdens from pollution.

Publication Trends: Recent articles (2024-2025) focus on sustainability transitions, including life-cycle assessments of electronics/batteries, environmental justice in waste policies, climate-health workforce training, and community health impacts of industrial disasters. Themes reflect interdisciplinary convergence of toxicology, circular economy, and global health equity.

Awards & Honors: Elected fellow of AAAS (dual sections), American Academy of Microbiology, and Collegium Ramazzini; recipient of the Jefferson Science Fellowship (2016), U.S. State Department Meritorious Honor Award (2018), and University of Tennessee Alumni Achievement Award (2023). Recognized for leadership in green chemistry and global health education.

Grants & Leadership: Secured $85M as Director of Training for USAID's One Health Workforce initiative. Major grants include NIH translational science funding, California Energy Commission projects ($786K), and industry collaborations (Microsoft, Apple). Co-chairs Apple’s Green Chemistry Advisory Board and advises UNESCO/IPBES on biodiversity policy.

Labs & Teams: Co-directs the World Institute for Sustainable Development of Materials (WISDOM) and contributes to UC institutes: Clinical and Translational Science, Global Health Research (GHREAT), and Climate Health Equity. Leads workforce development for NIH/NCATS.