Faculty Profile

Ola Olapade

Assistant Professor of Biology

B.Sc., 1990, Obafemi Awolowo University; M.Sc. (Microbiology), 1995, Obafemi Awolowo University; M.S. (Biology), 1998, Millersville University; Ph.D., 2004, Kent State University.

Appointed: 2006

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Expertise Areas:

Molecular microbial ecology

Environmental microbiology

Aquatic ecology

Bioremediation

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Current Courses:

Biology 210: Cell and Molecular Biology

Biology 332: Microbiology

Biology 365: Environmental Microbiology

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Research Interests: Dr. Ola Olapade is a microbial ecologist/microbiologist primarily interested in the delineation of microbial community composition and structure, especially those in biofilms (i.e., surface associated, such as the periphytic and epiphytic assemblages) in various aquatic systems including lakes, streams and, rivers. He currently employs both standard microbiological and molecular techniques (e.g., nucleic acid staining; fluorescent in situ hybridization; DNA sequencing) to examine and delineate the abundance and distribution of various bacterial populations in response to changes in hydrodynamics, seasonality, nutrient and organic C availability, predation, as well as, anthropogenic disturbances in freshwater environments. Apart from his interest in microbial taxonomic diversity, he is also presently exploring the diversity amongst various functional groups as well as their enzymatic activities, especially the ammonia oxidizing and the sulfate reducing bacterial populations with regards to nutrient dynamics in aquatic systems.

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