Dr Oluwasola (Sola) Afolabi

Current research activity

• Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) Engineering for Development Research Fellowship – Advanced Technological Synergy for Renewable Energy Production in sub-Saharan Africa  

Recently completed research/project

• RAEng & CGIAR Trust Fund. A Technical Brief on Tackling agrifood waste in Ghana: resource recovery technologies and lessons from urban open-air markets.
• Blue Fuel - Waste to Energy, Nepal
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Reinvent the Toilet Phase 3 - Field testing in Asia and Africa
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Reinvent the Toilet Phase 2 - Prototype design and pilot scale testing
• Environmental Agency, UK, Radionuclides behaviour during sewage treatment

Academic Host for Visiting Senior Research Fellowship

• Alaaedine Saleh, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, 2022–2024. Research fellowship funded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Cultural Affairs and Missions, Egypt. Research focus: Radionuclide immobilization in natural, activated, and vitrified bentonite.

PhD Completions

• Dr Alpha Koroma (2026): Urban waste: wellbeing and the lived realities of informal waste pickers in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Funded by WaterWISER CDT, Loughborough University
• Dr Elizabeth N. Paddy (2025): Transmission and Infection Risks of Toilet Plume Bioaerosols in Healthcare and Hospitality Settings. Funded by LU Research Studentship, Loughborough University
• Dr Falilat Oluwatobi Kassim (2024): Hydrothermal Carbonisation of Mixed Agri-food Waste for Sustainable Bioenergy Production. Funded by LU Research Studentship, Loughborough University
• Dr Abdullahi A. Shuiab (2020): Role of Islamic Social Finance Instruments in Providing Services in Nigeria

Ongoing PhD

• Guanhua Chen: Hydrothermal Carbonisation of Chinese-Style Hotpot Food Waste: Feedstock Characterisation and Process Optimisation for Bioenergy Production
• Joy Bempong: Advanced analytical protocols for the preparation, characterisation and quantification of microplastics in wastewater streams. Funded by WaterWISER CDT, Loughborough University

• Paddy, EN, Sohail, M, Afolabi, O(2026) Development and application of a novel dose–response model for the quantification of clostridioides difficile , Risk Analysis, 46(6), e70260, ISSN: 0272-4332. DOI: 1111/risa.70260
• Somorin, T, Afolabi, O, Nartey, EG, Amponsah, A, Ayertey, D, Sedenkor, D, Asiamah, T, Gebrezgabher, S (2025) Tackling agrifood waste in Ghana: resource recovery technologies and lessons from urban open-air markets, Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Food Frontiers and Security Program; CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Program. 44p
• Paddy, EN, Sohail, M, Afolabi, O(2025) Evaluating the risk of Clostridioides difficile infection from toilet flushing: A quantitative microbial risk assessment and implications for infection control, Journal of Hospital Infection, 159, pp.92-99, ISSN: 0195-6701. DOI: 1016/j.jhin.2025.02.012
• Kassim, F, Sohail, M, Somorin, T, Blanch, G, Yaman, R, Afolabi, O(2024) Optimised mixed agri-food waste simulant for enhanced bioenergy production via hydrothermal carbonisation and supercritical plant modelling, Energy Reports, 13, pp.184-195, ISSN: 2352-4847. DOI: 1016/j.egyr.2024.11.087
• Chukwuma, EC, Afolabi, O, Okonkwo, CC, Olamigoke, OO, Okonkwo, CE (2024) Application of geospatial technology and decision model in the development of improved food security index, Scientific Reports, 14(1), 30204, ISSN: 2045-2322. DOI: 1038/s41598-024-77845-1
• Saleh, AS and Afolabi, O(2024) Enhancement and modelling of caesium and strontium adsorption behaviour on natural and activated bentonite, Environmental Technology & Innovation, 37(2025), 103937, DOI: 1016/j.eti.2024.103937
• Osei, E, Afolabi, O, Sohail, M (2024) Exploring toilet plume bioaerosol exposure dynamics in public toilets using a Design of Experiments approach, Scientific Reports, 14, 10665, DOI: 1038/s41598-024-61039-w
• Somorin, T, Campos, LC, Kinobe, JR, Kulabako, RN, Afolabi, O(2023) Sustainable valorisation of agri-food waste from open- air markets in Kampala, Uganda via standalone and integrated waste conversion technologies, Biomass and Bioenergy, 172(2023), 106752, ISSN: 0961-9534. DOI: 1016/j.biombioe.2023.106752
• Afolabi, O.O.D., Leonard, S. A., Osei, E.N., Blay, K.B. (2021). Country-level assessment of agri-food waste and enabling environment for sustainable utilisation for bioenergy in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management, 294, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112929
• Vaudry, N, Sun, Y, Afolabi, O(2022) Exploiting constructed wetlands for industrial effluent phytodesalination in Jing-Jin-Ji urban agglomeration, China, International Journal of Phytoremediation, 25(7), pp.851-867, ISSN: 1522-6514. DOI: 1080/15226514.2022.2115005

Undergraduate (UG)

• CVAProfP Professional Practice Core: Collaborative Practice in the Built Environment
• CVB 101: Open Channel Flow Design and Analysis
• CVC 109: Water Resources, Sustainability and Climate Change
• CVA 101: Profession Practise module
• CVI 001: Industrial Training Placement (DIS)
• UG Research Dissertations Supervisions

Postgraduate Taught (PGT)

• CVP435: Management and Operations of Water Utilty (Module Leader)
• CVP439: Research Methods (Module Leader)
• CVP446: Management of Water and Environmental Sanitation
• CVP416/CVP436: Urban Sanitation Management
• CVP419/CVP443: Urban and Rural Sanitation Engineering
• PG Research Dissertations Supervisions

Previous short Courses

• Water, hygiene and sanitation for health’: Biannual 2-week training course for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (i.e. Doctors without Borders)

Over the past decade, I have established an international research programme addressing two interrelated global challenges: the sustainable recovery of energy and resources from complex waste streams, and the control of contaminants and pathogens to protect public health across sanitation and environmental systems. My research leadership spans the development, translation, scale-up, piloting and field testing of innovative technologies for sanitation waste treatment, biowaste valorisation and resource-recovery technologies across multi-country research programmes in the UK, China and SSA, including Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda. Alongside my research, teaching and doctoral supervision, I contribute to academic leadership and service at school and university levels and externally through professional bodies. 

Professional Affiliations/Certifications

•  Chartered Engineer (C.Eng), Engineering Council, UK
• Chartered Water and Environmental Manager (C.WEM), Chartered Institute of Waste and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
• Member, Chartered Institute of Waste and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
• Fellow, the Advance Higher Education (FHEA)
• PRINCE2 Certification in Project Management
• MSP Certification in Programme Management

International Leadership & Esteemed Recognition

• International Special Envoy to Sub-Sahara Africa, Loughborough University, UK (2023 – 2026). Facilitated high-level strategic Government Ministerial and Diplomatic engagements; advancing the university internationalisation strategy and partnerships in six SSA countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa
• Baton Bearer , Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Participated in Her Majesty the Queen's Baton Relay in recognition of service, societal impact, and leadership in addressing developmental challenges in SSA

Awards 

• Research Fellowship Award, 2019
• Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PDTF), Nigerian Government International Doctoral Scholarship, 2014
• Young Researchers’ Award, RSC Travel Grant, 2012
• Best Presentation (Oral & Poster), COGER International Conference, UK, 2012
• EPSRC Doctoral Research Studentship, Loughborough University, UK, 2011
• UK DFID Commonwealth Shared Postgraduate Scholarship UK, 2010
• Four University Prize Awards, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), 2008 including:
• 1. Best Graduating Student, Department of Agricultural Engineering,
  2. Best Graduating Student, School of Engineering & Engineering Technology

External activities

• 2026 Expert Reviewer Panel, RAEng 2026 Bhattacharyya Award
• 2025 Expert Reviewer: Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF), NERC, UKRI
• 2024 – 2026:  Member, Selection Panel Network Strengthening Grants Scheme, Academy of Medical Sciences
• 2024: Technical Reviewer for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action COFUND, ONISILOS Programme, University of Cyprus
• 2023 – to date: Technical Review and Mentor for the RAEng Africa prize for Engineering Innovations – the largest African prize dedicated to Engineering Innovation
• 2022 – Present: Member, Chartered Institute of Waste and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Qualifications Panel
• 2021 – Present: PhD External Examinations
  1. University of Strathclyde (2025)
  2. University of West London (2023)
  3. University of Bath (2021)
• 2020: Expert Technical reviewer: The Royal Society Future Leaders – African Independent Research (FLAIR) Grant scheme
• 2018 – Present: Sessional Chair and Committee Member: WEDC International conference
• 2018 – Present: Expert reviewer for several esteemed international journals aligned and adjacent to my field, including Nature Scientific Reports, Environmental Management, Applied Energy, Utility Policy, Energy, Energy & Fuels

Key collaborators/stakeholders

• UNEP
• BMGF
• RAEng
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Ghana
• UK & International universities: Uni. of Strathclyde, UCL (U.K); UCAD (Senegal); UESD (Ghana); Makerere University (Uganda); Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ahamdu Bello Univeristy (Nigeria); University of Toronto (Canada); CQU (China);  Okayama University (Japan)
• Learned/Professional bodies: CIWEM, IWA
• Consultants/Industrials: Jacobs, Alvan Blanch/LEAP Micro AD (UK); Zoom Lion (Ghana); Berkeley Air (USA)
• Government agencies: Environment Agency (UK); Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana; LAWMA (Nigeria); PNB-SN (Senegal); Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (Egypt)