In the evolving landscape of climate change and environmental hazards, few voices resonate with the authority and scientific depth of Anthony Olalekan Akande. A rising scholar in Environmental Health Sciences at The Ohio State University, Akande has carved a niche at the intersection of occupational safety, molecular epidemiology, and climate resilience. From groundbreaking studies on the toxicological effects of pesticides in Nigeria to his current research on the hidden health toll faced by wildland firefighters, he blends rigorous science with a deep sense of societal responsibility. His upcoming presentation at the prestigious International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) 2025 conference in Atlanta marks not just a personal milestone but also a global recognition of his work’s potential to shape health policy, workplace safety standards, and community resilience strategies worldwide. He spoke with The Nation’s Samuel Oamen in this virtual interview. Excerpt.
Our record shows that you had a prior publication with The Nation titled “Nigeria’s Escalating Wildfire Crisis: A National Call to Action.” The article strengthens The Nation’s reputation as a leading voice on pressing environmental issues, engages its readership with impactful content, and supports its mission to inform and influence public policy and national discourse on wildfire management.
Yes, that piece was reported in May 2025, where I addressed the escalating wildfire crisis in Nigeria and called for urgent national action. The treatise served to raise awareness among policymakers, the general public, and environmental stakeholders about the severity and implications of wildfires. By presenting evidence-based insights and practical recommendations, it aimed to stimulate informed dialogue and encourage collective responsibility. This coverage helped The Nation strengthen its commitment to impactful journalism while empowering readers to support wildfire prevention and environmental stewardship. Interestingly, the positive feedback we received from the audience, coupled with your postings on your social handles, is instrumental to this important interview.
That said, please could you tell us again, for the benefit of those that might not have known you or heard about you before, tell us more about yourself, your research, and your background?
Thank you for having me. I am Anthony Akande, currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences at The Ohio State University. My research primarily explores the health impacts of occupational and environmental exposures, with a particular emphasis on wildland firefighters. These workers face unique hazards due to exposure to complex mixtures of air pollutants during wildfire events, which can trigger molecular and physiological changes impacting long-term health. I had my roots in Nigeria, and most of the building blocks of my career were put in place back home. Before relocating to the United States, I was halfway through completing my Ph.D. program in Environmental Science at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. I had completed a Master of Science in Environmental Control and Management from the Obafemi Awolowo University, where my thesis examined the toxic effects of pesticides on male reproductive health in animal models. The inhalation chamber I modelled for this study is being used by many scientists for several studies involving animal models. Additionally, I graduated with First Class Honors in Environmental Science from Joseph Ayo Babalola University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Obafemi Awolowo University. This multidisciplinary training equips me to approach environmental health challenges from molecular to ecological scales.
Your multidisciplinary background is impressive. How do these diverse academic experiences influence your current research?
Thank you for the compliments! Well, I think each degree has contributed to a layer of expertise. My Zoology background gave me a solid foundation in biological systems and parasitology. Environmental science sharpened my understanding of ecological and toxicological principles, while my graduate training emphasized applied environmental health research methods. This combination allows me to tackle complex issues such as how chemical exposures affect human and environmental health, using both classical toxicology and modern molecular tools.
You have authored several peer-reviewed publications. Can you share how these works have contributed to the scientific community?
Certainly. I have made significant contributions to the scientific community through peer-reviewed publications in respected journals renowned for their rigorous review processes and broad impact. My research encompasses environmental toxicology, molecular epidemiology, and occupational health, addressing critical issues at the intersection of these fields. For instance, my investigations into pesticide-induced reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats, published in the Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research and East African Scholars Journal of Medical Sciences, provide valuable data relevant to regulatory toxicology. My ecological research on air pollution tolerance in plants, featured in the Journal of Pollution, supports environmental assessment and monitoring initiatives. In infectious disease epidemiology, my analysis of COVID-19 vaccine distribution patterns, published in the Open Journal of Epidemiology, contributes to optimizing public health interventions. Furthermore, pharmacological safety evaluations, as presented in Current Trends in Pharmacology and Clinical Trials, underscore my commitment to translational research with clinical relevance. To me, learning continuously is inevitable. Several other scientific papers are being reviewed and would be showcased on my social handles and other scientific platforms. That said, worthy of note is my work integrating molecular biomarkers and epigenetics within occupational health advances understanding of exposure-associated disease mechanisms, including carcinogenesis, which has been accepted for presentation at the International Conference of Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE), which will be held later in August 2025.
Your upcoming presentation at the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) in Atlanta is a major achievement. What does this recognition mean to you?
Absolutely! Getting my abstract accepted in July 2025 to present at ISEE is indeed significant. ISEE is one of the premier international platforms for scientists studying the effects of environmental exposures on human health. This opportunity validates years of dedicated research on occupational exposures and highlights the relevance of my work in shaping scientific discourse and public health policy globally. It positions my findings to influence workplace safety protocols and inspire further research on vulnerable worker populations globally.
You focus on occupational exposure, e.g., firefighters, farm workers, miners, etc. Could you explain why this group merits particular attention?
Certainly. Generally, occupational workers are exposed to a complex, often poorly characterized mixture of pollutants from burning vegetation, synthetic materials, and soil particulates. This occupational exposure is unique and intense, especially during prolonged wildfire seasons that are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change. Such exposures can induce molecular alterations, including changes in gene expression, shifts in DNA methylation, accelerated epigenetic aging, and reductions in pulmonary function. Despite their critical role in safeguarding communities, this workforce has historically been understudied regarding long-term health risks.
How does your research methodology differ from typical occupational health studies?
What sets my work apart is the integration of multi-omics approaches. We combine transcriptomics, which studies gene expression patterns, with epigenomics, focusing on DNA methylation, alongside physiological assessments such as spirometry to measure lung function. This comprehensive approach allows us to capture a unified biological response across multiple regulatory levels, providing a more holistic understanding of how exposures impact health than studies focusing on a single biomarker or outcome.
You’ve also developed skills in genomic data analysis. How does this complement your environmental health research?
Genomic data analysis is fundamental for deciphering the complex molecular changes induced by environmental exposures. My training in R programming, microarray, and RNA-Seq analysis equips me to manage large, complex datasets and extract meaningful, reproducible insights. This computational expertise bridges raw data to actionable knowledge, ensuring our findings can robustly inform occupational health policies and clinical recommendations.
Your work seems to have global implications. How do you see it influencing environmental and health policy?
Man will not cease to interact, whether positively or otherwise, with the environment. This interaction often harms the environment, and as long as this is happening, research findings aimed at preventing or mitigating these adverse impacts will be needed from time to time. The increasing prevalence of wildfires due to climate change places many workers and communities at risk worldwide. Our research provides evidence critical to setting occupational exposure limits, improving personal protective equipment standards, and establishing medical monitoring protocols tailored to high-risk groups. By contributing to climate resilience and public health safety, this work informs policy decisions at the intersection of environment and human health.
What impact do you hope your ISEE presentation will have?
I hope it will foster international collaborations and encourage harmonized occupational health studies across different countries and populations. Scientific progress thrives on shared knowledge, constructive critique, and pragmatic application, and I hope to foster such dynamics through this platform you have also acquired multiple certifications.
How do these enhance your qualifications?
These certifications, ranging from Radiation Safety to Worker Protection Standards, demonstrate my commitment to laboratory safety, environmental regulations, and ethical research practices. They ensure that my work adheres to best practices and regulatory standards, which is critical for conducting impactful and responsible scientific investigations.
What advice do you have for early-career scientists aspiring to global impact?
Pursue questions with scientific rigor and societal relevance. Master relevant skills that can set you apart, like technical skills, e.g., genomic data analysis, but also cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations. Equally important is communicating your science clearly to non-specialists to translate research into real-world impact. Finally, what are your plans following the ISEE conference?
Post-ISEE, I plan to expand my research to other occupational groups exposed to airborne hazards, including miners and industrial welders. Some of my articles have already been accepted for peer review in reputable journals. Additionally, I am preparing a review article on risk management and healthcare administration to bridge scientific evidence with policy and practice.
Anthony Olalekan Akande is at the forefront of environmental epidemiology, providing vital insights into how occupational exposures influence molecular and physiological health outcomes. His upcoming ISEE 2025 presentation in Atlanta underscores a growing global recognition of his work and its critical role in advancing worker health and climate resilience worldwide.
