OLUWADAMILOLA OMOTUYI
Carleton University, MS in Sustainable Energy Engineering
EREF Scholar 2026
Project Title
UAV-Based Landfill Methane Detection and Hotspot Identification with Uncertainty Analysis
Project Description
Landfills are a significant source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, but accurately measuring these emissions can be challenging. Methane emissions do not originate from a single point, can varyover time, and are influenced by weather conditions such as wind, which can affect how an emission plume travels and whether it can be detected. Omotuyi’s research examines how drones equipped with methane sensors can be used to better detect, map, and quantify methane emissions from landfills. Through field measurements at landfill sites, the research investigates how factors such as wind conditions, flight altitude, and plume location affect methane detection. Omotuyi is also developing methods to identify emission hotspots and evaluate the uncertainty associated with resulting emission estimates. The goal is to better understand the reliability of drone-based methane measurements and develop a practical approach that landfill operators can use with greater confidence. More reliable measurements can help identify areas with high methane emissions, support decisions about where mitigation efforts are needed, and make it easier to evaluate whether those efforts are reducing emissions.
Biography
Oluwadamilola (Dami) Omotuyi is a Master of Applied Science student in Sustainable Energy at Carleton University, where she began her studies in Fall 2025. Under the supervision of Professor Matthew Johnson at the Energy & Emissions Research Laboratory (EERL), her research focuses on using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to detect and quantify methane emissions from landfills, with particular attention to emission hotspots, probability of detection, and measurement uncertainty. Dami earned her B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, in 2022. As an undergraduate, she worked on a project studying emissions from retrofitted compressed natural gas vehicles. Outside of research, she has led clean-energy and climate education sessions in rural communities, reaching more than 150 households, and has mentored more than 20 young girls in STEM. She is also a founding member of Regenesis Carleton, an emerging student-led sustainability initiative focused on practical environmental programs such as a Free Store, Item Library, and Farmers’ Market that aim to reduce waste, support sustainable consumption, and make campus life more affordable for students.
