Dr. Gbekeloluwa B. Oguntimein is an accomplished researcher and educator with over four decades of experience in chemical, environmental, and biochemical engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from Iowa State University and has held academic positions at leading institutions including the University of Ibadan, Morgan State University, and multiple U.S. universities. His research has received international recognition through prestigious fellowships such as the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (Germany), NSERC Fellowship (Canada), and CIES Fellowship (France). Dr. Oguntimein has contributed to cutting-edge projects at NASA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. He is a registered Professional Engineer, a Board Certified Environmental Engineer, and serves on editorial boards of several scientific journals. His extensive service includes NSF review panels, international consulting, and leadership in professional societies like AIChE and ACS. Dr. Oguntimein’s career reflects a deep commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability, interdisciplinary research, and mentorship in engineering education.

Professional Profile 

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Education 

Dr. Oguntimein earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He continued at the same institution to complete a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, reflecting strong academic foundations in process systems, reaction engineering, and environmental technologies. His education extended beyond the classroom through postdoctoral research training at the Laboratorie de Biotechnologie, Institut Nationale Politechnique de Lorraine in France, and the International Facility for Food Irradiation in the Netherlands. These advanced programs provided him with specialized knowledge in biotechnology and food safety technologies. His cross-continental education laid the groundwork for a rich and diverse career in both teaching and applied research. The academic journey Dr. Oguntimein pursued has been instrumental in equipping him to work across disciplines and contribute significantly to both academic and industrial scientific communities worldwide.

Experience

Dr. Oguntimein’s professional experience spans academia, industry, and government. In academia, he has held roles from instructor to associate professor at institutions including the University of Ibadan, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland system, teaching courses in civil, chemical, and environmental engineering. His industrial experience includes working as a process development engineer at American Maize Product Company. He has also served as a consultant on enzyme technology, feasibility studies, and training programs for global institutions such as IITA and Zymetis Inc. Dr. Oguntimein’s government service includes time as a visiting professor at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, contributing to intergovernmental environmental policies. In research, he has held fellowships at major institutions such as NASA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and NREL. His experience reflects a well-rounded and impactful career that bridges theory and application across sectors and international borders.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Oguntimein has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his career. Early in his academic life, he was recognized with multiple U.S. academic society honors, including membership in Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omega Chi Epsilon. He has been awarded several elite research fellowships such as the CIES Postdoctoral Fellowship in France, the NSERC Fellowship in Canada, and the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship in Germany. These honors underscore international recognition of his research excellence. He also received the Nigerian Federal Government Scholarship and has been recognized by the New York Academy of Sciences. His status as a Board Certified Environmental Engineer and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers further validates his impact and expertise. Additionally, he has served on major grant review panels for organizations like the NSF and EPA, reflecting continued trust in his judgment and leadership in research evaluation.

Research Focus on Environmental Science

Dr. Oguntimein’s research focuses on environmental biotechnology, biochemical process engineering, and sustainable energy. His interdisciplinary projects integrate biological and chemical methods to address challenges in wastewater treatment, hazardous waste management, and resource recovery. He has worked on enzyme-based technologies, microbial remediation, and the development of environmentally friendly processing systems. His research engagements with NASA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have centered on applying biotechnology for space exploration, bioenergy, and pollution control. He is actively involved in projects related to biological wastewater treatment, environmental impact assessment, and biochemical systems modeling. Dr. Oguntimein’s research is deeply connected to sustainability and the practical application of science to solve global environmental problems. His contributions to journals, editorial boards, and national funding panels also highlight his influence in shaping the direction of environmental and biochemical engineering research in both academic and industrial sectors.

Publications Top Notes

• Title: N-Butanol or Isobutanol as a Value-Added Fuel Additive to Inhibit Microbial Degradation of Stored Gasoline
  Authors: Elkins, J.G.; Rodriguez, M.; Cannon, O.N.; Connatser, R.M.; Oguntimein, G.B.; Kass, M.D.; West, B.; Davison, B.H.
  Year: 2022

• Title: Best Practices for the Implementation of Home-based, Hands-on Lab Activities to Effectively Engage STEM Students During a Pandemic
  Authors: Owolabi, O.A.; Ladeji-Osias, J.; Shokouhian, M.; Alamu, O.S.; Lee, S.W.; Oguntimein, G.B.; Ariyibi, A.; Lee, H.J.; Bista, K.; Dugda, M.T. et al.
  Year: 2021

• Title: Sustainability assessment of municipal solid waste in Baltimore USA
  Authors: Alamu, S.O.; Wemida, A.; Tsegaye, T.; Oguntimein, G.
  Year: 2021

• Title: Anaerobic microplate assay for direct microbial conversion of switchgrass and Avicel using Clostridium thermocellum
  Authors: Oguntimein, G.B.; Rodriguez, M.; Dumitrache, A.; Shollenberger, T.; Decker, S.R.; Davison, B.H.; Brown, S.D.
  Year: 2018

• Title: High Throughput Screening Technologies in Biomass Characterization
  Authors: Decker, S.R.; Harman-Ware, A.E.; Happs, R.M.; Wolfrum, E.J.; Tuskan, G.A.; Kainer, D.; Oguntimein, G.B.; Rodriguez, M.; Weighill, D.; Jones, P. et al.
  Year: 2018

• Title: Engaging engineering graduate students in applied research at Morgan State University
  Authors: Chen, G.; Ladeji-Osias, J.; Oguntimein, G.B.; Lee, Y.-J.
  Year: 2015

• Title: Biosorption of dye from textile wastewater effluent onto alkali treated dried sunflower seed hull and design of a batch adsorber
  Authors: Gbekeloluwa B. Oguntimein
  Year: 2015

• Title: Application of chitosan in remediation of dyes
  Authors: Oguntimein, G.B.; Animashaun, O.; Okpere, I.
  Year: 2009

• Title: Waters network’s potential to transform environmental engineering education
  Authors: Eschenbach, E.; Montgomery, J.; Johnson, J.; Brus, C.; Carlson, P.; Giammar, D.; Grauer, B.; Hotaling, L.; Oguntimein, G.; Safferman, S. et al.
  Year: 2007

• Title: Transforming K-12 education via the collaborative large-scale engineering analysis network for environmental research (CLEANER) project
  Authors: Eschenbach, E.; Johnson, J.H.; Brus, C.; Carlson, P.; Giammar, D.; Grauer, B.; Hotaling, L.; Oguntimein, G.; Safferman, S.; Wentling, T.
  Year: 2006

• Title: Work in progress: Eliciting input for transforming CSET education via the NSF Collaborative Large-scale Engineering Analysis Network for Environmental Research (CLEANER)
  Authors: Eschenbach, E.; Johnson, J.; Brus, C.; Carlson, P.; Giammar, D.; Grauer, B.; Hotaling, L.; Oguntimein, G.; Safferman, S.; Seiler, E. et al.
  Year: 2006

Conclusion