Kenneth Ogueri

Design and development of sustainable and environmentally friendly polymers based on bio-derived starting materials/monomers. - This project, for the most part, was based on bio-inspired science & engineering, and focused on the use of innovative chemistry and the concepts of nature to make functional and eco-friendly polymeric materials. Also, the work sought to demonstrate the feasibility of replacing toxic chemicals in industrial applications. This encompassed the investigation of the use of renewable materials as building blocks for the design of new polymers and the exploration of ways to bridge the gap between bio-derived and petroleum-derived materials to obtain interesting novel materials. - Investigated and examined the structure-property relationships and green chemistry techniques for polymer property enhancement. - Successfully replaced formaldehyde in the synthesis of Phenolics (novolacs). The formaldehyde-free phenolic resins exhibited physicochemical properties that were comparable to the conventional phenolic resins. - Successfully utilized non-toxic alternatives (polyphenols and phytochemicals) to substitute petroleum-derived phenols in phenolic resins. The obtained resin was entirely biobased with excellent physicochemical properties. - Demonstrated a sustainable and eco-friendly synthetic method for these bio-inspired materials. - Successfully utilized bio-based curing agent as a safer alternative to conventional amine-based curing agent in the cross-linking of these novel biopolymers. - Characterized and established the final properties of the resins for potential applications. - Developed optimal formulations for the composites of the bio-based resins and other additives (including reinforcements, and fillers). - Evaluated and optimized suitable processing techniques and conditions for the new composites (filled with glass fibers).

Graduate Teaching Assistant / August, 2013 — May, 2015

Oversaw the polymer science lab (Synthesis and characterizations) for more than 25 undergraduates each semester. - Synthesis: Solution polymerization of linear polyesters - including PLA, bulk polymerization of polydimethylsiloxane networks, interfacial polycondensation of linear polyamides, enzymatic polymerization of polyaniline - PSS complex, sol-gel polyaddition of triisocyanate-based networks such as polyurethane/urea networks, etc. - Characterization: Rheometry (ARES-G2 rheometer), DSC, TGA, FTIR, GPC, HPLC, NMR, SEM/TEM(Microscopy), WAXD, Dilute solution viscometry, and DataColor Spectroscopy/colorimeter.

Nigerian Breweries Plc Aba

Laboratory Analyst Intern / May, 2006 — October, 2006

Pfizer

Principal Scientist / October, 2024 — Present

Senior Scientist / August, 2020 — October, 2024

- Drug Product Formulation and Process Development for Oral Solid Dosage Forms (Pre-clinical, Clinical, and Commercial Phases). - Translation of drug formulation framework from pre-clinical to clinical strategies. - Drug Delivery Technologies including Immediate Release (IR) and Modified Release (MR) Platforms. - DPD Lead, Summer Growth Experience (SGE) Program. - DPD Lead, Pfizer R&D Rotational Program for Recent College Graduates.

UConn Health

Graduate Research Engineer / January, 2016 — August, 2020

Advanced Biomaterials, Functional and Biodegradable Polymers, Biomimetic Scaffolds, Regenerative Engineering, and Therapeutic Drug Delivery System. - THIS PROJECT CULMINATED IN 12 FIRST-AUTHOR PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS. - Designed and synthesized novel high strength/mechanically competent peptide-based polyphosphazene copolymers for bone tissue regeneration - Explored different organic substituent groups (such as amino acid esters, peptide esters, and phenylphenol) for the functionalization of polydichlorophosphazene. The obtained poly(organo)phosphazene showed tunable degradation rates and mechanical properties with neutral degradation products. - Designed miscible polyphosphazene-PLGA blends with near-neutral degradation products and intrinsic pore-forming properties upon degradation. The In Situ interconnected porosity enhanced cell infiltration, tissue ingrowth, vascularization, and augmented surface area for better cell-material interactions. - Demonstrated, for the first time, the correlation between phase distribution morphology of the polyphosphazene-PLGA blends and their degradation kinetics - Investigations of the materials dynamics showed that the newly designed blends promoted adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation (cell proliferation by MTS, cell viability by live/dead assay using fluorescence scanning confocal microscope, cell morphology by SEM, phenotypic expressions by ALP). - The novel polyphosphazene blend system showed high efficacy as drug delivery vehicles and tissue engineering scaffolds (via a critical-sized bone defect rabbit model) for orthopedic applications.

Saint-Gobain

R&D/Engineer Intern / May, 2015 — October, 2015

Team member, Performance Plastics Division (PPL), Engineered Components Business Unit (ENC). - Designed and developed a new class of high-temperature polymer blends for bearing and seal applications. - Worked with high-performance polymers: Amorphous thermoplastics, semi-crystalline thermoplastics and thermoset(non-melting) imidized resins. - Examined and optimized the compatibility of various high performance/temperature polymers to obtain miscible blends with enhanced properties(chemical, mechanical, thermal, tribological). - Developed right formulations and ideal compounding techniques suitable for the high temperature polymers (PEEK, PAI, PEI, LCP, PTFE, UHMWPE and graphite). - Melt-blended polymers and fillers with micro twin-screw compounder (extruder) and brabender dispersive mixer to obtain homogeneous compounds/composites. - Processed the polymer blends with micro-injection molder and hot compression molding machine - Characterized, tested, and analyzed samples/parts with DSC, rheometer, TGA, DMA, SEM, Tribometer (BOR : Block-on-Ring), and Instron testing machine - Analyzed the mechanical and tribological properties of specimens molded out of the formulations - Designed ideal and sustainable processing techniques for the proprietary polyimide. - Reviewed the acoustic properties of the polymers: Damping capability and sound insulation performance.

Nigerian Breweries Plc

Laboratory Analyst Intern / May, 2006 — October, 2006

Integral member of a quality control team in packaging/technological dept. - Analyzed samples using spectrophotometer and monitored production lines using PU meters - Measured dissolved oxygen in wort samples with Orbishere analyzer. - Determined water content of raw materials and checked CO2 /foreign gas in wort samples. - Determined original and specific gravity (OG & SG) of samples. - Optimized and monitored the zonal temperatures of pasteurizers.

Join Ken on NotedSource!

Join Now

At NotedSource, we believe that professors, post-docs, scientists and other researchers have deep, untapped knowledge and expertise that can be leveraged to drive innovation within companies. NotedSource is committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry by providing a platform for collaboration with industry and networking with other researchers.

For industry, NotedSource identifies the right academic experts in 24 hours to help organizations build and grow. With a platform of thousands of knowledgeable PhDs, scientists, and industry experts, NotedSource makes connecting and collaborating easy.

For academic researchers such as professors, post-docs, and Ph.D.s, NotedSource provides tools to discover and connect to your colleagues with messaging and news feeds, in addition to the opportunity to be paid for your collaboration with vetted partners.