Ola Olapade
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
Expertise Areas: Molecular microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, aquatic ecology, bioremediation
Current Courses:
Biology 210: Cell and Molecular Biology
Biology 332: Microbiology
Biology 365: Environmental Microbiology
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.