Dr. Denis Okello

Lecturer-Botany

Dr. Okello is a plant scientist, phytomedicine research scientist, plant tissue culture adept and an Educationist. Dr. Okello holds a doctorate degree (Ph.D) in Korean Convergence Medicine Major from the University of Science and Technology, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine School, South Korea; a master degree in plant Science, Makerere University and Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Mbarara University of Science and Technology. He has done much research work and publications in areas of medicinal plants that include: micro-propagation/ in vitro propagation, biochemical studies, seed priming and elicitation effects on medicinal plants.

Qualifications

Ph.D in Korean Convergence Medicine, University of Science and Technology-South Korea; Master of Science in Botany (MSc. Bot.), Mak; Bachelor of Science with Education (BSc. Educ.), MUST.

Research Interests

Areas of plant science and phytomedicine including:  micro-propagation/ in vitro propagation, biochemical evaluation, seed priming and elicitation effects on medicinal plants.

Publications

Gang, R., Yang, S., Happy, K., Mudondo, J., Haniffadli, A., Ban, Y., Okello, D., David, K.O. and Kang, Y., 20 . (2025) . Indirect somatic embryogenesis in Aspilia Africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams, and histological and ploidy stability analysis
Gang, R., Yang, S., Happy, K., Mudondo, J., Haniffadli, A., Okello, D., Ban, Y. and Kang, Y. . (2025) . Direct somatic embryogenesis induction in Aspilia Africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams, and assessment of genetic homogeneity and physiology of regenerants
Happy, K., Ban, Y., Mudondo, J., Haniffadli, A., Gang, R., Choi, K.O., Rahmat, E., Okello, D., Komakech, R. and Kang, Y., 2025 . (2025) . SMART-HERBALOMICS: An innovative multi-omics approach to studying medicinal plants grown in controlled systems such as phytotrons
Mudondo, J., Happy, K., Okello, D. and Kang, Y. . (2025) . Trichosanthis Radix: A comprehensive review on botany, ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and toxicology
Gang, R., Okello, D., Ban, Y. and Kang, Y . (2025) . A Systematic Review of Aspilia africana (Pers.) C.D. Adams Traditional Medicinal Uses, Phytoconstituents, Bioactivities, and Toxicities
Richard Komakech, Yong-Goo Kim, Wook Jin Kim, Francis Omujal, Sungyu Yang, Sungyu Yang, Byeong Cheol Moon, Denis Okello, Endang Rahmat, Grace Nambatya Kyeyune,Motlalepula Gilbert Matsabisa, Youngmin Kang . (2024) . A Micropropagation Protocol for the Endangered Medicinal Tree Prunus africana (Hook f.) Kalkman: Genetic Fidelity and Physiological Parameter Assessment
Happy, K., Gang, R., Ban, Y., Yang, S., Rahmat, E., Okello, D., Komakech, R., Cyrus, O., David, K.O. and Kang, Y . (2024) . Agricultural sustainability through smart farming systems: A comparative analysis between the Republic of Korea and Republic of Uganda
Gang, R., Rahmat, E., Yang, S., Okello, D., Ban, Y., Chung, Y., Lee, J. and Kang, Y . (2024) . In vitro multiplication and phytochemical evaluation of Apios americana Medik for enhanced production of the staple food and tissues with versatile bioactivities
Gang, R., Okello, D. and Kang, Y. . (2024) . Medicinal Plants used for Cutaneous Wound Healing in Uganda; ethnomedicinal reports and pharmacological evidences
Gang, R., Matsabisa, M., Okello, D. and Kang, Y. . (2023) . Ethnomedicine and ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Uganda
Okello, D., Gathirwa, J., Wanyoko, A., Komakech, R., Chung, Y., Gang, R., Omujal, F. and Kang, Y. . (2023) . Comparative antiplasmodial activity, cytotoxicity, and phytochemical contents of Warburgia ugandensis stem bark against Aspilia africana wild and in vitro regenerated tissues
Gang, R., Komakech, R., Chung, Y., Okello, D., Kim, W.J., Moon, B.C., Yim, N.H. and Kang, Y . (2023) . In vitro propagation of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. using apical shoot segments and phytochemical assessments of the maternal and regenerated plants
Okello, D., Komakech, R., Gang, R., Rahmat, E., Chung, Y., Omujal, F. and Kang, Y. . (2022) . Influence of various temperatures, seed priming treatments and durations on germination and growth of the medicinal plant Aspilia africana
Komakech, R., Yang, S., Song, J.H., Choi, G., Kim, Y.G., Okello, D., Omujal, F., Kyeyune, G.N., Matsabisa, M.G. and Kang, Y. . (2022) . Assessment of anatomical characteristics of the medicinal plant African cherry ( Prunus africana ) for its accurate taxonomic identification
Komakech, R., Shim, K.S., Yim, N.H., Song, J.H., Yang, S., Choi, G., Lee, J., Kim, Y.G., Omujal, F., Okello, D. and Agwaya, M.S . (2022) . GC–MS and LC-TOF–MS profiles, toxicity, and macrophage-dependent in vitro anti-osteoporosis activity of Prunus africana (Hook f.) Kalkman Barka
Komakech, R., Yim, N.H., Shim, K.S., Jung, H., Byun, J.E., Lee, J., Okello, D., Matsabisa, M.G., Erhabor, J.O., Oyenihi, O. and Omujal, F . (2022) . Root Extract of a Micropropagated Prunus africana Medicinal Plant Induced Apoptosis in Human Prostate Cancer Cells (PC-3) via Caspase-3 Activation
Okello, D., Yang, S., Komakech, R., Chung, Y., Rahmat, E., Gang, R., Omujal, F., Lamwaka, A.V. and Kang, Y . (2021) . Indirect in vitro Regeneration of the Medicinal Plant, Aspilia africana, and Histological Assessment at Different Developmental Stages
Okello, D., Chung, Y., Kim, H., Lee, J., Rahmat, E., Komakech, R., Kim, Y.G., Omujal, F. and Kang, Y. . (2021) . Antioxidant Activity, Polyphenolic Content, and FT-NIR Analysis of Different Aspilia africana Medicinal Plant Tissues
Rahmat, E., Okello, D., Kim, H., Lee, J., Chung, Y., Komakech, R. and Kang, Y. . (2021) . Scale-up production of Rehmannia glutinosa adventitious root biomass in bioreactors and improvement of its acteoside content by elicitation
Okello, D., Yang, S., Komakech, R., Rahmat, E., Chung, Y., Gang, R., Kim, Y.G., Omujal, F. and Kang, Y . (2021) . An in vitro Propagation of Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams, and Evaluation of Its Anatomy and Physiology of Acclimatized Plants
Okello, D., Komakech, R., Kim, Y.G., Rahmat, E., Chung, Y., Omujal, F. and Kang, Y . (2021) . Effects of commercial soils on germination, early growth, and chlorophyll content of Aspilia africana , a medicinal plant
Kim, Y.G., Okello, D., Yang, S., Komakech, R., Rahmat, E. and Kang, Y. . (2021) . Histological assessment of regenerating plants at callus, shoot organogenesis and plantlet stages during the in vitro micropropagation of Asparagus cochinchinensis
Okello, D., Lee, J. and Kang, Y . (2020) . Ethnopharmacological Potential of Aspilia africana for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
Okello, D. and Kang, Y. . (2020) . Ethnopharmacological Potentials of Warburgia ugandensis and Aspilia Africana for the treatment of malaria, a deadly tropical disease
Okello, D. and Kang, Y. . (2019) . Ethnopharmacological Potentials of Warburgia ugandensis on Antimicrobial Activities
Okello Denis, and Youngmin Kang . (2019) . Exploring Antimalarial Herbal Plants across Communities in Uganda Based on Electronic Data
Okello, D. and Kang, Y . (2019) . Exploring Antimalarial Herbal Plants across Communities in Uganda Based on Electronic Data
Okello, D., Komakech, R., Matsabisa, M.G. and Kang, Y . (2018) . A review on the botanical aspects, phytochemical contents and pharmacological activities of Warburgia ugandensis

Projects

Formulation of Herbal Products for Treatment of Brucellosis from Profiled Plants in the Cattle Corridor of Uganda.

1. Dr. George Kwesiga 2. Dr. Daniel Buyinza 3. Dr. Denis Okello 4. Dr. Daniel Matovu January, 2024 → December, 2024

Formulation of Herbal Products for Treatment of Brucellosis from Profiled Plants in the Cattle Corridor of Uganda.

Dr. George Kwesiga, Dr. Daniel Buyinza, Dr. Denis Okello and Dr. Daniel Matovu January, 2024 → December, 2024

Profiling Medicinal Plants within Kigezi region and Community Conservation Strategies

Dr. Denis Okello, Ms. Twagiramaria Fortunate, Ms. Christine Tukamushaba August, 2023

Supervision

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Presentations

  1. “Profiling Medicinal Plants and Conservation Practices within Kigezi Region” Natural Product Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA)-Uganda Chapter Conference, 2025. Makerere University, 1st-3rd Nov. 2025.
  2. “Profiling Medicinal Plants and Conservation Practices within Kigezi Region” Second Multidisplinary Research Dissemination Confererence: Theme-Harnessing the Power of Research for Inclussive growth, Employment and Wealth Creation; Kabale University,  27th-28th August, 2025.
  3. “Site selection for protection of Papyrus Endemic Species in Uganda”; JRS Biodiversity Foundation-Protea Hotel, Entebbe; 12-14 May, 2025.
  4. “Application of Invitro propagation techniques and Smart farming systems for germplasm conservation of vulnerable, threatened and endangered medicinal plant species; A case of Africa and South Korea”; Society for Advancement of Science in Africa, 25th-26th April, 2025
  5. “IS AFRICA ADOPTING BIOTECHNOLOGY TO PRESERVE ITS RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING MEDICINAL PLANT RESOURCES?”; Society for Advancement of Science in Africa, 25th-26th April, 2025
  6. “NAVIGATING GRADUATE SCHOOL AND BEYOND: BUILDING A PATH TO A SUCCESSFUL CAREER”, Graduate School Presentation, University of Science and Technology, South Korea; 25th July, 2024.
  7. “Indirect In vitro Regeneration of Aspilia africana Medicinal Plant”, Inter-displinary Research Dissemination Workshop-Kabale University, 14th June, 2024.
  8. “NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONSERVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS” Celebration of 20th African Traditional Medicine Day; Scientific Research in Herbal Sector. Symposium organized by Ministry of Health (NCRI) at Hotel Africana, Kampala, 26th Oct. 2022.
  9. “Antioxidant Activity, Polyphenolic Content, and FT-NIR Analysis of Different Aspilia africana Medicinal Plant Tissues”. Natural Product Research Network for Eastern and Central Africa (NAPRECA)-Uganda Chapter Conference, 2022. Makerere University, 30th Sept. 2022.
  10. “Ethnopharmacological Potentials of Warburgia ugandensis and Aspilia africana the treatment of malaria, a deadly tropical disease”. KIOM–SAR Conference 2020. Seoul, Korea September 10-12, 2020. (Published in Integrative Medicine Research. Volume 9, 00557.
  11. “Techniques for Micropropagation of medicinal plants”. The Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry, 2020 International Symposium and Annual meeting of the KSABC, August 20-21st, 2020.
  12. “Botanical aspects, phytochemical contents and pharmacological activities of Warburgia ugandensis”. The Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry, 2019 International Symposium and Annual meeting of the KSABC,June 20-22nd, 2019.

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