Career journey and aspirations
I am an atmospheric scientist committed to utilizing my expertise, knowledge, and experience to contribute to the development of scalable solutions for (atmospheric) environmental challenges in resource-constrained settings, particularly in Africa and the global South. My current research in atmospheric science focuses on urban air quality and revolves around three major themes: air quality network development, identification of air pollution sources, and research-to-policy translation.
Since 2018, I have had the privilege of working with AirQo, a multidisciplinary research group based in Africa that is at the forefront of advancing new and innovative approaches to air quality management in African cities. The AirQo team is housed at Makerere University's Department of Computer Science; Makerere is also my alma mater. In my current role, I provide scientific supervision and technical oversight to the AirQo team. In the same capacity, I contribute to training the next generation of scientists through direct co-supervision of undergraduate and graduate student research projects. Furthermore, I am involved in the co-design and implementation of post-doctoral research projects.
I take pride in my commitment to contributing to science and public policy, and as part of this dedication, I serve as a guest lecturer and provide mentorship to emerging leaders from universities and other academic institutions around the world.
Over the years, I have acquired extensive experience in stakeholder engagement for policy development, and I continue to actively participate in high-level discussions with various stakeholder groups. These engagements have helped shape and inform policy directions on air quality management in urban areas across the African continent. Through these endeavors, I have served as a technical expert in several research-to-policy translation projects. Notable examples include the development of Uganda's first-ever air quality regulations, the formulation of East Africa air quality standards, the enactment of the Nairobi Air Quality Act, the compilation of the National State of the Environment report for Uganda, and the Air Quality Action Plan for Kampala, among others.
Outside atmospheric science
About my name
As someone raised Catholic, my first name carries a Latin origin. Deo is derived from Deogratias, which is Latin for "thanks be to God". While I was baptized as Deogratias, I opted to go by 'Deo' due to teachers’ concerns that I might struggle to remember the correct spelling.
Family relations
Relations: I am a ‘middle child’ and was raised in a typical African family (more than 10 children), and I make an effort to foster connections with every family member, although I am probably closer to a few of them.
Childhood dreams: In my younger years, I harbored a rare ambition of becoming the Pope, yes, the Pontiff himself. Interestingly, I recently discovered that I technically remain eligible to be the Pope. However, I am happily married and divide my time between Uganda and Europe for family reasons.
Social Lifestyle
Sleep habits: Working across different time zones offers a convenient excuse for not adhering to a regular sleep schedule. However, I acknowledge that this is an aspect I am working on improving. Going to bed past midnight every day is a habit I'm not particularly proud of.
Communication: When it comes to communication, I strive to be as adaptable as possible. However, if you reach out to me simultaneously through text and email, you'll likely receive a quicker response via email. While I maintain an active presence on Twitter, I primarily utilize social media platforms for professional purposes.
Social interactions: I enjoy engaging in light-hearted conversations and sharing soft humor. Initiation of conversations, even in confined spaces like an elevator, is something that comes naturally to me.
On the contrary, I am quite conservative when it comes to the size of my immediate social circle. I tend to gravitate towards cultivating long-term friendships, valuing the depth and enduring nature of these connections. Nonetheless, I consider myself very lucky to have made friends and meaningful connections in different parts of the world.
A rare momemnt with a considerable number of childhood connections in one physical space
Love for sports: During my teenage years, I possessed considerable athletic abilities and actively engaged in various sports, including track and field. I still enjoy playing football socially, particularly as a goalkeeper. While I struggle to keep up with sports, and I have only watched a single Premier League game in the last 3 years. However, I can watch the national football/soccer team play for 90 minutes.
Typical evening: When it comes to evening engagements, I relish the opportunity to dine out. A restaurant or pub, preferably set within a hotel, creates the perfect ambiance for me. Additionally, I have a fondness for white wine, which pairs well with a delectable meal.
This photo is special for three reasons: 1) My first ever-vegeterian only meal in a restaurant, 2). We (well, Rainer did) drove 8 hours from Los Angeles to San Francisco to meet Amy, a senior professional colleague I had only known virtually. 3). We dined at the Greens Restaurant (highly recommend) overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge
Travels: I have travelled to countries in North America, Europe, South East Asia, Middle East and Africa, for studies, professional engagement and adventure. I am presently splitting time between Europe and Africa for family and professional reasons
Personal ideology and philosophy
Love for nature: Animals hold a special place in my heart, and I regret not having any pets at the moment. I am genuinely conflicted about (not) being a vegetarian
Involvement in politics: I have a keen interest in global politics and often have something to contribute to discussions on the topic. For instance, Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons is akin to a captivating TV show for me. It's safe to say that I possess a considerable political inclination; who knows, maybe I will run for office at some point in time.
Ask me anything else you'd like to know.