Ezinne Achinivu

Email Address: achinivu@uic.edu
College: Engineering Department: Chemical Engineering
Title: Assistant Professor
Office: 174 EIB
Webpage: https://che.uic.edu/profiles/achinivu-ezinne/
Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes

Research Interest:
Sustainable Energy Development
Green Chemistry and White Biotechnology
Transformation of Waste into Bioproducts (Biofuel, Bioplastics, Bioactives)
Biorefining of Waste Biomass (Lignin Isolation and Degradation)
Molecular Design for Performance Advantaged Biopolymers

Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 10

Qualifications of a Student:
Education in the chemical/life sciences/engineering any hands-on experience working a the research lab (either through class/former employment), passion for sustainability, renewable energy.

Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
The purpose of this project is to promote the sustainability of a new generation of biodegradable plastics and materials that are generated from biological sources (like plant residues, animal residues, microbes etc.). This goal will be accomplished through a systematic research plan focused on the integration of bioprocess technology with material/polymer science.

Student Tasks and Responsibilities: Assist Ph.D. students/postdocs in a) literature search/review b) biopolymer extraction and characterization, c) material engineering d) data analysis and correlations and e) keeping an accurate log of experiments and writing research reports

Return to Chemical Engineering list

Return to Departments list