Research Scientist Marine Ecology & Pollution Studies Biogeochemistry & Marine Pollution Marine Litter • Ocean Acidification • Ecotoxicology • Radioecology Email: eokuku@kmfri.go.ke Email: ochiengokuku2003@yahoo.com Research Experience Over 18 years in marine research – marine ecology, pollution, plankton, biotoxins, marine litter assessments, ocean acidification, radioisotopes for pollution history and sediment accretion rates Academic Qualifications PhD – Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium MSc – Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium BSc – Moi University, Kenya Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Mombasa Department: Oceanography and Hydrography Specialization: Marine Ecology and Pollution Studies Research Interests: Biogeochemistry, Ecotoxicology, Radioecology, Ocean Acidification, Biotoxins, Marine Litter | Leadership Focus: Advancing marine pollution research, developing national strategies for marine litter management, and building regional capacity for monitoring ocean health and its impacts on coastal ecosystems and human livelihoods. Dr. Erick Okuku has over 18 years of experience in marine research ranging from marine ecology, pollution, plankton, and biotoxins. He has lately been involved in marine litter assessments, ocean acidification, and use of radioisotopes to reconstruct pollution history and determine sediment accretion rates. He has coordinated more than 20 projects in the last 18 years and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Okuku has been instrumental in shaping Kenya's marine pollution policy landscape, including spearheading the development of the first Kenya National Marine Litter Management Action Plan, a landmark achievement that provides a strategic framework for addressing marine litter pollution along the Kenyan coast. As a Regional Expert on Marine Litter and Microplastics in the WIO region for the Nairobi Convention, Dr. Okuku provides technical guidance and leadership on marine pollution issues across the Western Indian Ocean region, fostering regional cooperation and capacity building. Professional Memberships & Regional Leadership Regional Expert – Marine Litter & Microplastics (Nairobi Convention / WIO) Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Key Coordinated Projects (Selected)
Research Specializations & Expertise Marine Litter Pollution – Pioneering research on baseline meso-litter and macro-litter composition and distribution along the Kenyan Coast (Marine Pollution Bulletin 2020), including temporal trends and COVID-19 impacts on marine litter pollution (Marine Pollution Bulletin 2021). Radioecology & Sediment Dating – Baseline survey of sediment contamination with 210Polonium in three peri-urban creeks of Mombasa, Kenya (Marine Pollution Bulletin 2020), demonstrating expertise in nuclear analytical techniques for pollution history reconstruction. Ocean Acidification – Leading research on impacts of ocean acidification on seafood safety, food and nutrition security, and national capacity for monitoring ocean carbon chemistry. Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Contributed to globally significant research on greenhouse-gas emissions from African inland waters (Nature Geoscience 2015) and diffusive emissions from tropical hydropower reservoirs in Kenya. River Damming & Ecosystem Impacts – Investigated the response of phytoplankton and zooplankton to river damming in cascading reservoirs of the Tana River, Kenya (Lakes and Reservoirs: Research and Management 2016) and impacts of hydropower development on rural livelihood sustenance. Sewage Pollution & Ecotoxicology – Documented sewage pollution in coastal waters of Mombasa City and conducted bioavailability studies of sediment-bound heavy metals along the East African Coast. Dr. Erick Okuku's extensive research and leadership in marine pollution science at KMFRI strengthens the Institute's capacity to monitor and mitigate marine litter, assess ocean acidification impacts, apply nuclear techniques for pollution studies, and develop evidence-based national policies – ensuring the protection of Kenya's coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them. |