Assoc Prof Patroba Odera

Associate Professor

Research Group

Geodesy, Geodynamics, Earth Observation and Spatial Modelling

Research Areas

My core research areas include establishment of modern horizontal and vertical geodetic reference frames, geoid determination and analysis, effective application of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in local and regional positioning and surveying, determination and monitoring of Earth deformations and plate tectonics movements, modelling surface/ground water using terrestrial and satellite gravity data, geodetic network design and adjustments, and contributions toward improvement of geospatial technologies in spatial positioning and modelling.

In addition, I am involved in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research related to spatial modelling such as siting optimal location for renewable energy installations, crime mapping using geospatial intelligence, biomass estimation, flood/landslide susceptibility and vulnerability mapping, siting for rainwater harvesting structures and spatial-temporal land use/cover change analysis. I am also engaged on collaborative studies toward investigation of surface and subsurface geologic structures using terrestrial and satellite gravimetric techniques.

Current Research

  • Precise geoid/quasi-geoid modelling to facilitate establishment of modern geodetic vertical datum
  • Regional/national vertical datum unification - towards the implementation of the International Height Reference System (IHRS)
  • Establishment of modern regional/national horizontal reference frames consistent with the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), including related transformations, to facilitate direct use of GNSS for various geospatial applications
  • Modelling surface/ground water using terrestrial and satellite data
  • Investigating surface and subsurface geologic structures through gravity modelling and interpretation
  • Spatial modelling for disease control interventions using geospatial techniques
  • Estimation of forest biomass using satellite and terrestrial data
  • Analysis of unmanned aerial system (UAS) products to facilitate rapid spatial positioning in land surveying
  • Analysis of spatial urban growth and related sprawl to facilitate urban planning and related interventions
  • Digital terrain modelling and assessment

Research Candidates

PhD: Shittu Ola Abdulganiy, Dianah Abeho and Azeez Kola Alade

MSc: Alex Yumbu, Hasan Ahmed Mahomedy, Mihlali Malindi, Navya Saira George, Sakhumzi Thabang Sitolotolo and Cameron Henri van Eck

Recently Completed Postgraduate Research (from 2021)

Makhosi Moremi (2022). Municipal solid-waste collection and disposal management using geospatial techniques in Maseru City, Lesotho. MSc thesis.

Matthews Siphiwe Mphuthi (2021). Towards a geoid consistent vertical geodetic datum in South Africa. PhD thesis.

Abdulmajid Aminu (2021). A remote sensing assessment of irrigation land use/cover change in the Sokoto Rima River Basin, Nigeria. MSc thesis.

Selected Publications

Kirui, P., Oiro, S., Waithaka, H., Odera, P.A., Riedel, B. and Gerke, M., 2022. Detection, characterization, and analysis of land subsidence in Nairobi using InSAR. Natural Hazards, pp. 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-022-05296-w

Mphuthi, M.S. and Odera, P.A., 2022. Comparison between orthometric, normal and spheroidal orthometric heights over South Africa. Applied Geomatics, pp. 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12518-022-00443-1 (shared as read only here https://rdcu.be/cO594)

Mphuthi, M.S. and Odera, P.A., 2021. Estimation of vertical datum offset for the South African vertical datum, in relation to the international height reference system. Geodetski Vestnik, Vol. 65, No. 2, pp. 282–297. https://doi.org/10.15292/geodetski-vestnik.2021.02.282-297

Odera, P.A., 2020. Evaluation of the recent high-degree combined global gravity-field models for geoid modelling over Kenya. Geodesy and Cartography, Vol. 46, No. 2, pp. 48–54. https://doi.org/10.3846/gac.2020.10453

Odera, P.A., 2019. Assessment of the latest GOCE-based global gravity field models using height and free-air gravity anomalies over South Africa. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Vol. 12 (5), No. 145, pp. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4337-9

Mugo, G.M. and Odera, P.A., 2019. Site Selection for Rainwater Harvesting Structures in Kiambu County-Kenya. Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2018.05.003

Macharia, P.M., Odera, P.A., Noor, A.M. and Snow, R.W., 2017.  Spatial models for the rational allocation of routinely distributed bed nets to public health facilities in western Kenya. Malaria Journal, Vol. 16(1), No. 367, pp. 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-017-2009-3

Odera, P.A. and Fukuda, Y., 2017. Evaluation of GOCE-based global gravity field models over Japan after the full mission using free-air gravity anomalies and geoid undulations. Earth, Planets and Space, Vol. 69, No. 135, pp. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-017-0716-1

Mbani, B.O., Odera, P.A., and Kenduiywo, B.K., 2017. Crime mapping using Artificial Intelligent Agents in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Geoinformatics and Geostatistics: An Overview, Vol. 5(4). https://doi.org/10.4172/2327-4581.1000171

Mutwiri, F.K., Odera, P.A. and Kinyanjui, J.M., 2017. Estimation of Tree Height and Forest Biomass Using Airborne LiDAR Data: A Case Study of Londiani Forest Block in the Mau Complex, Kenya. Open Journal of Forestry, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 255–269. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojf.2017.72016

Gathu, J.N., Odera, P.A. and Waithaka, E.H., 2017.Determination of Suitable Sites for Establishment of Large-Scale Concentrated Solar Power Plants in Kenya. Natural Resources, Vol. 8, pp.  1–23. https://doi.org/10.4236/nr.2017.81001

Maina, E.W., Odera, P.A. and Kinyanjui, J.M., 2017. Estimation of Above Ground Biomass in Forests Using Alos Palsar Data in Kericho and Aberdare Ranges. Open Journal of Forestry, Vol. 7, pp. 79–96. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojf.2017.72006

Odera, P.A., 2016. Assessment of EGM2008 using GPS/levelling and free-air gravity anomalies over Nairobi County and its environs. South African Journal of Geomatics, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 17–30. https://doi.org/10.4314/sajg.v5i1.2

Ouma, P.O., Odera, P.A. and Mukundi, J.B., 2016. Spatial Modelling of Weather Variables for Plant Disease Applications in Mwea Region. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, Vol. 4, pp. 127–136. https://doi.org/10.4236/gep.2016.45013

Odera, P.A. and Fukuda, Y., 2015. Recovery of orthometric heights from ellipsoidal heights using offsets method over Japan. Earth, Planets and Space, Vol. 67(1), No. 134, pp. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-015-0306-z

Odera, P.A. and Fukuda, Y., 2015. Comparison of Helmert and rigorous orthometric heights over Japan. Earth, Planets and Space, Vol. 67(1), No. 27, pp. 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-015-0194-2

Odera, P.A. and Fukuda, Y., 2014.  Improvement of the geoid model over Japan using integral formulae and combination of GGMs. Earth, Planets and Space, Vol. 66(1), No. 22, pp. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1880-5981-66-22

Odera, P.A. and Fukuda, Y., 2013. Towards an improvement of the geoid model in Japan by GOCE data: A Case study of the Shikoku area. Earth, Planets and Space, Vol. 65, No. 4, pp. 361–366. https://doi.org/10.5047/eps.2012.07.005

Odera, P.A., Fukuda, Y. and Kuroishi, Y., 2012. A high-resolution gravimetric geoid model for Japan from EGM2008 and local gravity data. Earth, Planets and Space, Vol. 64, No. 5, pp. 361–368. https://doi.org/10.5047/eps.2011.11.004

Professional Affiliation