Nigerian national Olufemi Egbewale earned his PhD in Microbiology from UKZN for his research focused on the biodegradation of fluoranthene and anthracene by indigenous fungi isolated from wastewater activated sludge.
Egbewale was supervised by Professor Ade Olaniran who commented: ‘By uncovering novel enzymatic pathways, Olufemi’s work advances microbial bioremediation, offering unique biological and sustainable solutions for pollutant detoxification. Five scientific publications have emanated from his research findings thus far, indicating the impact of the study and its potential contribution to shape the future of microbial application for eco-friendly pollution control.’
Said Egbewale: ‘UKZN is known for its strong focus on environmental microbiology and bioremediation. The alignment of UKZN’s vision with my passion for addressing global environmental challenges made it the natural choice for my PhD.’
Focusing on the use of fungi to clean up toxic pollutants in the environment, Egbewale specifically studied how indigenous fungi from wastewater sludge can break down fluoranthene and anthracene – harmful chemicals found in industrial waste, oil spills and contaminated water.
‘These pollutants are persistent and can remain in the environment for decades, posing serious risks to human health and ecosystems,’ he said. ‘By harnessing the natural abilities of fungi, my work provides an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical treatments for pollution cleanup.’
Egbewale’s passion for environmental sustainability and microbial biotechnology led him to this particular field. Having read an article about how polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can remain in contaminated soils for over 50 years – affecting communities that rely on these areas for agriculture or clean water – he wondered whether instead of relying on expensive and sometimes harmful chemical treatments there could be a natural way to break down these pollutants.
‘That curiosity drove me to explore fungi as a biological solution,’ he said. ‘Seeing their incredible ability to degrade toxic compounds has been both fascinating and rewarding.’
The significance of Egbewale’s work lies in its potential to transform pollution cleanup methods. ‘Traditional remediation techniques often involve high costs, are inefficient and may introduce further environmental harm,’ he explained. ‘My research demonstrates that indigenous fungi can offer a sustainable alternative by effectively degrading persistent organic pollutants.
‘This not only aids in environmental conservation but also supports industries in adopting greener waste management practices.’
Egbewale plans to further his work in microbial biotechnology and bioremediation through postdoctoral research or industry collaborations focused on environmental sustainability.
He thanked his PhD supervisors for their guidance, his family for their support and his fellow research colleagues for being a source of inspiration and collaboration, reminding him that science thrives on teamwork and shared knowledge.
‘Science is not just about experiments and data, it is about finding real-world solutions that improve lives and protect our planet,’ said Egbewale. ‘If my research contributes to cleaner water, healthier ecosystems and a more sustainable future, then every challenge faced during this PhD journey has been worth it.
‘I hope my story inspires others to pursue scientific innovation and find new ways to address environmental challenges.’
Words: Sally Frost
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
