Dr. Cosmas Chinedu Uche

Dr. Cosmas Chinedu Uche

Lecturer II

BSc., MSc., PhD
Email: cosmas.uche@futo.edu.ng

Biography

Uche Cosmas C. (PhD), a TWAS scholar was born in Nigeria and received his B.Tech. and MSc degrees from Environmental Technology Department, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Nigeria. He obtained his PhD from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, under the tutelage of distinguished Professor Leslie F. Petrik of the Environmental and Nano Sciences (ENS) Research group. He is well-focused, committed, zealous, meticulous and passionate about environmental sustainability. His study focuses on environmental/green chemistry and pollution control technologies, with present emphasis on waste valourisation and nanomaterial synthesis for remediation applications. To this end, his interest is to contribute to carrying out long-term environmental and nanoscience related research leading to fundamental discoveries through novel processes. His research findings have been communicated in some scientific events across the globe.

Dr. Uche is a seasoned academic. His exceptional skills made the Department of Science and Technology of South Africa, through the National Research Foundation (NRF) and iThemba Labs to award him a fellowship to participate in an educational programme as part of the South Africa-Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) bilateral agreement at JINR, Dubna, Russia. His exceptional performance and collaborations established during the visit led to a follow-up invitation by JINR team. Consequently, Dr. Uche was awarded an NRF-JINR travel grant in October 2017 for a research visit at the Nanoscience Centre of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions to work closely with Prof Alexander Naechev, Director of the Unit, in areas of biomaterial electrospinning.

Dr. Uche has served and still serving in various administrative capacities in the University.  He is the Examinations officer of the Department of Environmental Management (2021 till date). He also serving in dual capacity as the ICT coordinator of the School of Environmental Sciences (2022 till date) and the Department of Environmental Management (2022 till date). Dr. Uche is passionate about developing ideas to assist students love for chemistry and Environmental protection by promoting active engagement in the learning process. He was actively involved in developing the 30% core curriculum minimum academic standards (CCMAS) requested by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for upgrade of Universities’ curriculum, for the Department of Environmental Management. In this process, he contributed in incorporating a range of research-based topics to grapple with the modern realities in sustainable studies. Currently, he is a faculty member in the African centre of excellence in future energies and electrochemical systems (ACE-FUELS) (2022 till date) and also the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CE-sPESS), World Bank centres of excellence domiciled at Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

His brilliance, charisma, inventiveness, humaneness, discipline and sound work and professional ethics have endeared him to many in different spheres of life.

Dr. Uche is a member of various scientific bodies such as Society of Toxicology (SOT), USA; Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UK; South Africa Chemical Institute (SACI); Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) among others. He is married with children.

Academic Qualification

  • 2017 – 2020 University of the Western Cape, South Africa                       PhD   
  • 2010 – 2012 Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria              Sc
  • 2008 – 2009 Ministry of Environment, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria         Y.S.C         
  • 2002 – 2008 Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria               Tech
  • Dec.     2000    Egbu Secondary School, Owerri-North L.G.A, Imo State     G.C.E.

Honours/Awards

  • Awarded Scholarship to attend the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) 2018 Summer School on Green and Sustainable Chemistry in Venice, Italy.

 

  • Awarded fellowship to participate in the SA-JINR (South Africa-Joint Institute for Nuclear Research) bilateral student practice at JINR, Dubna, Russia, May 2017.

 

  • Awarded one-month research visit to the Nanoscience Department of the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions (FLNR) Dubna, Moscow region, Russia Federation to undertake research on biopolymers and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) track-etched membranes for medical applications (October, 2017).

 

  • The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)/National Research Foundation (NRF) of South
  • Africa’s African Renaissance Doctoral Fellowship 2016 for PhD studies.
  • 2nd runner-up, CBN/NYSC venture prize competition for outstanding proposal in 2009 National Youths Service Year, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Published in ‘Daily Thrust Newspaper’ of 20/01/2010, pg 38 no 18.

Affiliations

 

Courses Assigned to Teach

 

2012- Date

Lecturer/Researcher,

Department of Environmental Management,

School of Environmental Sciences,

Federal University of Technology, Owerri

Research Interest

Environmental Pollution Control, Waste management (valourisation), environmental assessment and remediation, Adsorption, Material Science (with interest in biopolymers synthesis for applications in environmental sustainability).

Publications

CHAPTER IN RESEARCHED BOOKS

Uche, C.C. (2013): Activities in the Atmosphere and Sustainability; in The Environment; Issues, Cases and Sustainability (ed Akhionbare, S.M.O PhD). Springfield Publishers Ltd, Owerri. pg 80-95. ISBN: 978-978-8500-18-6.

THESIS

PhD Environmental Chemistry

Thesis Topic:

Fabrication of Nanomaterials from Biomass for Adsorption and Antimicrobial Applications, 2020.

MSc Environmental Pollution Control

Thesis Topic:

The Use of Inorganic Nutrient in the Bioremediation of Crude Oil Polluted Arable soils, 2012.

  1. Tech Environmental Pollution Control

Thesis Topic:

The Design, Construction and Use of Anaerobic Biodigester in Treating Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), 2008.

 

SELECTED JOURNALS

Anyanwu J.C., Nwafor D.M., Ejiogu C.C., Iwuji M.C., Ulor C.O., Esomonu I., Uche C.C., Nmecha M.I., Amaku, G.E., Egbuawa, O.I. and Ugochukwu, P.C. (2023). Physicochemical characteristics and phytoplankton abundance of Nkisi river, Anambra State. International Journal of Current Research, 15(5): 24486-24491. doi: https://doi.org/10.24941/ijcr.45138.05.2023.

Fubara, A.G., Uche, C.C., Nwoko, C.O., Edo, F.A., Ojiaku, A.A. and Tony-Njoku, R.F. (2022). Assessment of the Effectiveness of Water Hyacinth (E. crassipes) in the biosorption of heavy metals from Aluminium extruding company effluents. Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management, 26(1):37-46. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v26i1.6.

Amir Ibrahim, Desigar Moodley, Cosmas Uche, Ernest Maboza, Annette Olivier & Leslie Petrik (2021). Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of electrosprayed chitosan nanoparticles against endodontic pathogens and Balb/c 3T3 fibroblast cells. Scientific Reports, 11:24487. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04322-4.

Wilson Uzochukwu Eze, Reginald Umunakwe, Henry Chinedu Obasi, Michael Ifeanyichukwu Ugbaja, Cosmas Chinedu Uche and Innocent Chimezie Madufor (2021). Plastics waste management: A review of pyrolysis technology. Clean Technologies and Recycling, 1(1): 50-69. doi: 10.3934/ctr.2021003.

  1. Pereao., C. Uche., P.S. Bublikov., C. Bode-Aluko., A. Rossouw., I.I. Vinogradov., A.N. Nechaev., B. Opeolu, and L. Petrik (2021). Chitosan/PEO nanofibers electrospun on metallized track-etched membranes: fabrication and characterization. Materials Today Chemistry, 20, 100416. doi.org/ 10.1016/j.mtchem.2020.100416.

Uche, C.C., Mukaba, J.-L., Bode-Aluko, C.A., Pereao, O. and Petrik, L. (2020). Immobilization of metal selective ligands upon polymer nanofibres: successes and challenges. Proceedings, 57(1), 67-68. doi:10.3390/proceedings2020057067.

Chionyedua T. Onwordi, Cosmas C. Uche, Alechine E. Ameh and Leslie F. Petrik (2019). Comparative study of the adsorption capacity of lead (II) ions onto bean husk and fish scale from aqueous solution. Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination, 9(3): 249-262. Ddoi: 10.2166/wrd.2019.061.

Ukaegbu, K. O. E; Iwuji, M. C; Uche, C. C; Osumgborogwu, I. E. and Amangabara, G. T. (2017) Spatial Assessment of Temperature and Land Cover Change as Climate Change Monitoring Strategies in Owerri, Nigeria. Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International, vol 11(1): 1-9.

Uzoije Atulegwu Patrick and Uche Cosmas (2016): Studying and Modeling Dynamic Adsorption of Lead (II) ion onto Fixed Bed Column of Activated Carbon of Plantain Peels and Bamboo. Science Journal of Environmental Engineering Research, doi: 10.7237/sjeer/115.

Uzoije, Atulegwu Patrick; Uche Cosmos C; Enwereuzo Uzo and George Raphael (2015c). Suitability Assessment of Shallow Groundwater of Typical Coastal Aquifers for Irrigation Use; A Water Quality Index Model Approach. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Vol 12(6) pp: 55-60. doi:10.9790/1684-12615560.

Uzoka Christopher, Anyanwu Jonathan, Uche Cosmas C., Ibe Colman and Uzoma Alexander (2015b): Effect of pH on the Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Clarias gariepinus fry. International Journal of Research in Biosciences. Vol. 4(3), pp 14-20.

Uzoma, H.C; Akhionbare, S.M.O; Dike, M.U; Uche, C. C. and Akhionbare, W.N. (2015a): Response of Roof Materials to Acidified Precipitation in a Rural Community in Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Research, Vol 1(2) pg 1-14.

Uzioje, A.P; Uche, C. C; Onunkwo, A.A. and Ashiegbu, D.C. (2014d): Evaluation of Groundwater Quality of Coastal Systems in Buguma City, Rivers State, South-South Nigeria. Journal of Civil Engineering. Vol 6 (7), pp 31 – 38.

Onunkwo, A.A; Uzioje, A.P; Darlington Ashiegbu and Cosmas C. Uche (2014c): Comparative Analysis of the Shallow and Deep Aquifer Waters of Nsukka, S.E. Nigeria – A Preliminary Approach to Water Resource Development. Journal of Environment & Earth Science (JEES), Vol 4 (9). P 25-34.

Ihejirika CE, Njoku-Tony, R.F; Nwachukwu, J.I; Enwereuzor, U.C; Ashiegbu, D.C; Uche, C.C and Ojiaku, A. (2014b). Impact of Climate Change on the Influx of Hydrocarbon and Heavy Metals into a Fresh Water System. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, vol 4 (21), pp 3012-3018.

Uzoije, A.P; Uche, C.C. and Ashiegbu, D.C. (2014a). Analysis of Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Equilibrium Isotherm on Fe3 + /Fe2 + Adsorption onto Palm Kernel Shell Activated Carbon (PKSAC): A Low-cost Adsorbent. American Chemical Science Journal 4(3): Jan; 298-325.

Ubuoh, E.A; Uche, C. C. and Eze, E.C. Analysis of Metal Concentrations in Selected Canned Beers Consumed in Owerri Urban, Imo State, Nigeria. European International Journal of Science and Technology 2(8): Oct; 2013 pg 35-42.

 

MAJOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES FEATURED/PAPERS READ

Chionyedua T. Onwordi., Temitope K. Adetunji., Habeeb A. Bankole., Aderonke A. Ogunmade and Cosmas C. Uche (2022). Isolation and characterization of collagen from Croaker (micropogonias undulates), Mullet (mugil cephalus) and Thread-fin (polydactylus quadrifilis) scales. FOSIC 2022 Conference, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria. 5th – 7th December, 2022.

C.C. Uche, Ehiemere, C.C. and Iwuagwu, C.J. (2021). Mobile anaerobic digester for treating organic waste. Proceedings of the research conference during the 2021 FUTO innovation week. IWoGDS building FUTO, Nigeria, Tuesday December 7, 2021. 

Onwordi, C.T., Ojarikre, E.B., Uche, C.C., Muritala, I.O., Abiaziem, C.V. and Osifeko, L.O. (2021). The thermodynamic and kinetic study of adsorption of cadmium (II) ions and lead (II) ions from aqueous solutions onto melon husk. Proceedings of 6th General Assembly and International Conference of the Organization for women in Science in the developing world (OWSD), Trieste, Italy (Virtual) Nov., 8 – 19 2021.

C.C. Uche, A.I. Omer, C.T. Onwordi, C.O. Cosmas-Uche, A. Olivier and L.F. Petrik (2021): In vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic investigation of chitosan nanoparticles extracted from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) waste materials. Proceedings of 57 Annual Conference of Society of Toxicology, USA 12 – 26 March 2021. https://cms.psav.com/sot2021/hub/file/1612 (https://cattendee.abstractsonline.com/meeting/9209/presentation/1704). Abstract No: 2178.

Cosmas Uche, Jean-Luc Muvumbu Mukaba, Chris Ademola Bode-Aluko, Omoniyi Pereao and Leslie Petrik (2020). Immobilization of metal selective ligands upon polymer nanofibres: successes and challenges. XVIth International symposium “Priorities of Chemistry for a Sustainable Development” PRIOCHEM XVI organised by National Institute for Research and Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry – ICECHIM, Bucharest, Romania (L.Petrik: Plenary speaker). https://icechim.ro/en/institute/priochem-en/.

Franschke Soudens, Chionyedua T. Onwordi, Cosmas C. Uche, Leslie F. Petrik (2019). Adsorption studies of Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution using acid-treated fish scale as efficient low-cost adsorbent. Proceedings of 4th Annual Symposium of American Chemical Society (Nigeria Chapter), University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria 4 – 6 March 2019.

Cosmas Uche, Chionyedua Onwordi, Alexander Naechev, Yuri Kochnev and Leslie Petrik (2018). Electrospinning of chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone blend on titanium-coated track-etched membrane. Proceedings of 5th South Africa – JINR Symposium with the theme “Advances and challenges in Physics within JINR and South Africa”, Erinvale, Somerset West, South Africa, 4-9 Nov; 2018.

Cosmas Uche; Monushia Zimri; Chionyedua Onwordi; Olarenwaju Fatoba, Missengue Roland and Leslie Petrik (2018). Physicochemical characterisations of structural polymers from Hermetia illucens. Proceedings of the 7th European association for chemical and molecular sciences (EuCheMS) Chemistry Congress, Liverpool, United Kingdom 26 – 30 August 2018. (https://www.euchems2018.org/programme/browse-posters/?session_id=6531). Abstract No: PE95.

Chionyedua Onwordi, Cosmas Uche and Leslie Petrik (2018). Isolation and Characterisation of Collagen from scales of white Craoker fish (Micropogonica furnieri) using modified acid and alkali processes. Proceedings of the 7th European association for chemical and molecular sciences (EuCheMS) Chemistry Congress, Liverpool, United Kingdom 26 – 30 August 2018. (https://www.euchems2018.org/programme/browse-posters/?session_id=6531). Abstract No: PL43.

C.T. Onwordi, C.C. Uche, A.E. Ameh and L.F. Petrik (2018). Comparative study of the adsorption capacity of lead (II) ions onto bean husk and fish scale from aqueous solution. Proceedings of 5th Royal Society of Chemistry early career Symposium, Liverpool, United Kingdom 30 – 31 August 2018. http://www.rsc.org/events/detail/30662/ecs2018-5th-rsc-early-career-symposium.

Onwordi, C.T., Uche, C.C., Badmus, K.O., Zimri, M.N, and Petrik, L.F (2018). Determination of agricultural waste point of zero charges: Usefulness in the adsorption of Cu (II) ion from aqueous solutions. Proceedings of 57 Annual General Meeting/Conference of Society of Toxicology, Atalanta, USA 11 – 15 March 2018.

Research/Publication Links

ORCID: https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0002-5772-9498

Research Gate Profile URL: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/P-6479-2018

Google Scholar Page: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=jHew5mwAAAAJ