Associate Professor at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Dr. Chigozie Francolins Uzoh is an esteemed academic in the field of Chemical Engineering with over a decade of experience in research, teaching, and professional service. He holds a PhD, M.Eng., and B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, where he is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Uzoh is also a Senior Research Fellow at the Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH), Germany, under the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. His research interests focus on sustainable processes, environmental engineering, and the development of bio-based polymeric materials, including controlled release fertilizers and waste minimization techniques in energy recovery and petroleum/petrochemical sectors.
Profile
Orcid
Education
Dr. Uzoh’s academic foundation was laid at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where he earned his Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng), Master of Engineering (M.Eng), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degrees in Chemical Engineering, completing his doctoral degree in 2017. Prior to his tertiary education, he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate from Igwebuike Grammar School and his First School Leaving Certificate from Nkwelle Primary School, both in Awka. His academic excellence across all levels set the tone for his advanced research career.
Experience
Dr. Uzoh’s professional experience spans across academia, research, and industry. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, where he has contributed significantly to the academic development of students and the advancement of the chemical engineering discipline. His teaching portfolio includes courses on petroleum engineering, chemical process optimization, transport phenomena, and process control. He has also served as the Head of the Petroleum Engineering Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University from 2022 to 2024.
In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Uzoh has held various positions of responsibility in research and higher education, including a Sabbatical Senior Lectureship at Alex Ekwueme Federal University (AE-FUNAI), and a role as Postgraduate Supervisor. His industry experience includes a position as a Technologist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a stint at Stone Chemical Company. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by his involvement in several committees related to effective teaching and quality assurance at the Faculty of Engineering.
Research Interests
Dr. Uzoh’s research interests lie at the intersection of sustainable engineering and chemical process optimization. His work is particularly focused on the design and optimization of environmentally friendly processes, with an emphasis on bio-based polymeric materials for coating applications and controlled-release fertilizers. He is also engaged in research related to petroleum and petrochemical processes, including waxy crude oil flow improvement, energy recovery, and waste minimization. Additionally, he has a keen interest in microencapsulation techniques, which are pivotal for improving the efficiency of fertilizers and other chemical applications. His work on the decolorization of dyes from synthetic wastewater is also a critical aspect of his research in sustainable chemical engineering.
Awards
Dr. Uzoh’s groundbreaking work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is a 2024 recipient of the George Foster Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. He was previously awarded the 2020 Postdoctoral Researchers Award under the Chinese Academy of Science’s President’s International Fellowship Initiative (CAS-PIFI). He was a 2019 finalist in the H.C. Orsted-Marie Curie Cofund Fellowship in Denmark and a semi-finalist in the 2018 Elsevier Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge in Berlin. His dedication to academic excellence has also earned him multiple TETFUND IBR Research Grants in 2014, 2016, and 2024. Notably, he has served as an Editorial Board Member for the American Journal of Chemical Engineering since 2016.
Publications
Dr. Uzoh has made significant contributions to the body of knowledge in chemical engineering through his publications in reputable journals. His recent works include:
Uzoh C.F., John S.U., Ezea H.A., Igbonekwu L.I., Madiebo E.M. (2024). Bio-based flow improvers for waxy petroleum crude, Geoenergy Science and Engineering. [Cited by: Journal of Petroleum Science & Engineering].
Ezekannagha C.B., Onukwuli O.D., Uzoh C.F., Eze C.N. (2023). Kinetic modeling of bio‑based heterogeneously catalyzed lard oil methanolysis, Reaction Kinetics, Mechanisms and Catalysis. [Cited by: Renewable Energy].
Madiebo E.M., Uzoh C.F., Onukwuli O.D. (2023). Fire-retardant acrylic coating by silica-coated limestone (SCL) microencapsulation, Composite Interfaces. [Cited by: Journal of Coating Technology].
Uzoh C.F., Nnuekwe A., Onukwuli O.D., Ofochebe N.S. (2019). Optimal conversion of rubber seed oil to biodiesel, Journal of Cleaner Production. [Cited by: Fuel].
Uzoh C.F., Obele M.C., Umennabuife U.M., Onukwuli O.D. (2019). Synthesis of rubber seed oil waterborne alkyd resin, Journal of Coating Technology and Research. [Cited by: Progress in Organic Coatings].
Uzoh C.F., Onukwuli O.D. (2018). Encapsulation of urea with alkyd resin-starch membranes for controlled N2 release, Process Safety and Environmental Protection. [Cited by: Environmental Technology & Innovation].
Uzoh C.F., Onukwuli O.D. (2016). Improved prediction of alkyd reactors via infrequent-delayed observations, Chemical Engineering Research and Design. [Cited by: AIChE Journal].
Conclusion
Dr. Chigozie Francolins Uzoh’s academic and research journey is marked by excellence, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability. His interdisciplinary contributions to chemical engineering and environmental science have not only advanced the frontiers of knowledge but also provided practical solutions to industrial and ecological challenges. As a thought leader, educator, and researcher, he continues to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists globally. His career trajectory and scholarly achievements make him an outstanding nominee for prestigious recognition.