AUST Alumni

In 2018, Precious Etinosa embarked on an academic journey at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), where he graduated with distinction in Materials Science and Engineering. Since then, he has forged an impressive path in both academic and professional arenas, leaving an indelible mark on the field. In 2021, Precious advanced his education as a PhD student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), USA, where he was awarded a graduate assistantship, serving as both a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant. His work has contributed to securing a patent, and he has served as a peer reviewer for academic journals. Precious has also published in highly regarded journals, including Scientific Reports, Cell Heliyon, and Materials and Design. His research encompasses diverse areas such as drug delivery, cancer treatment, tissue engineering, biomaterials, and environmental engineering, showcasing his dedication to addressing complex global challenges.

Jesutofunmi Ayo Fajemisin holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and earned a fully funded master’s degree in Theoretical and Applied Physics from the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Nigeria. During her final year of undergraduate studies, she demonstrated her commitment to academic excellence by participating in the African School of Physics (ASP2018) in Windhoek, Namibia. Driven by her passion for medical physics, Jesutofunmi secured an internship at the Medical Isotope Research and Production Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, USA. Her research, conducted in collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center, focuses on applying machine learning algorithms for medical applications, particularly in cancer diagnosis and treatment. In addition to her academic pursuits, Jesutofunmi founded Genius in Africa, an NGO dedicated to discovering and supporting geniuses across the continent. Through this initiative, she empowers and nurtures emerging talents by offering various programs to foster growth and development.

Dr. Nelson Dzade is an Assistant Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, USA, and an affiliate of several research institutes, including the Materials Research Institute (MRI) and the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS). He obtained his MSc in Materials Science in 2009 from the African University of Science and Technology and a PhD in Computational Materials Chemistry in 2014 from University College London (UCL), UK. Dr. Dzade has held research positions at Utrecht University and Cardiff University, where he received the EPSRC Innovation Fellowship. He leads the Materials and Minerals Theory Group, focusing on using advanced theoretical methods and first-principles calculations to design new materials for renewable energy technologies. Dr. Dzade is also involved in training and capacity-building initiatives across African institutions and is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Nigeria. He has received multiple prestigious scholarships and awards throughout his career.

Dr. Anye is the Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja, Nigeria, and the Coordinator of the AUSTInspire Business Incubation Center. His expertise lies in organic electronics, specifically organic photovoltaics (OPVs), organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs), perovskite-based solar cells, and LEDs. He also focuses on the nanomechanics of structures related to OPVs and OLEDs and uses Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for modeling thin film structures.

Vitalis holds a BSc in Physics from the University of Buea, Cameroon, and both an MSc and a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from AUST. A former World Bank and African Development Bank scholar, Vitalis is a member of several professional societies and has authored over 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles. His outreach efforts focus on promoting STEM careers among young students, particularly girls, and using 3D printing for COVID-19 response efforts. His vision is to develop AUST as a center of excellence for materials science research and innovation in Africa.

Engr. Festus Ogbonna is a seasoned Petroleum Reservoir Engineer with over 13 years of experience. He is the first graduate of Petroleum Engineering from AUST and has spent more than 10 years at Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. Currently, he works with Shell’s Shallow Water & Offshore studies team, focusing on projects that meet strategic gas supply obligations. He has successfully facilitated over 30 integrated development projects in multi-disciplinary settings, championing value-driven initiatives. Festus holds a B.Engr. in Mechanical Engineering, an M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Oil and Gas Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. His career began as a Branch Manager at Ecobank Nigeria before transitioning to Petroleum Engineering, motivated by his desire for greater challenges and AUST’s educational quality. After AUST, he joined Shell as a research intern and later became a full-time Reservoir Engineer, where he has received multiple awards, including for his work on the Epu Deep Prospect and innovative workflows. Festus is married with three children and enjoys soccer, gym workouts, and mentoring.

Dr. Ifeyinwa Ijeoma Obianyo is the Acting Head of the Civil Engineering Department at the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja, Nigeria. Her research focuses on sustainable building materials, low-carbon concrete, soil stabilization, and waste valorization. She holds a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and an M.Sc. and PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from AUST. Dr. Obianyo transitioned from a career in the construction industry to academia to impact society through teaching and research. She has taught various courses at AUST and co-supervised postgraduate students. A strong advocate for STEM education, she actively promotes outreach programs for young girls. Dr. Obianyo has been recognized as a World Bank-Pan African Materials Institute scholar and received the RILEM PhD Grant. She is a member of several professional organizations, including RILEM, OWSD, and MRS, and has published 28 peer-reviewed articles. Passionate about mentoring, she aims to inspire more girls to pursue STEM and to align engineering education with national development needs.

Adekunle Opawale, a Nigerian, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and joined the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in 2009 to study Petroleum Engineering on a scholarship. At AUST, he conducted research on crude oil emulsion under Professor Samuel Osisanya, leading to the creation of a computational tool, EMULS-K, for troubleshooting emulsion problems in oilfields. After earning his M.Sc. in 2010, he became AUST's first Innovation Fellow in 2011, with sponsorship from the African Development Bank. He presented papers at various international conferences, including those in the USA and Nigeria, and was part of a World Bank-sponsored research team on using bacteria to clean oil spills. Due to his innovative work, he was hired by FMC Technologies in the Netherlands, where he has been developing separation technologies for sub-sea, offshore, and onshore applications. He also manages the company's Technology Innovation Initiative. In 2011, he was awarded the AUST Medal at the university's third convocation.