Dr. Karinate Okiy | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

PhD graduate at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria

Okiy Karinate Valentine is a multifaceted chemical engineer 👨‍🔬 with a rich blend of industrial, academic, and research experience across Nigeria, the UK, France, Portugal, and Luxembourg 🌍. Currently serving as a Principal Engineer at NESREA, Nigeria’s environmental watchdog under the Federal Ministry of Environment, he spearheads environmental monitoring and assessment for chemical and pharmaceutical industries 🌱. Okiy is not just a regulatory expert but also a simulation maestro, well-versed in OpenFOAM, CFD, and process intensification. He has led research at ChreoLab and LuXDEM, modeling complex fluid systems 🔬. Academically crowned with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (2024), M.Phil from Sorbonne 🇫🇷, and M.Sc from the University of Leeds 🇬🇧, he commands deep expertise in thermodynamics, adsorption, and renewable energy systems ⚡. A winner of the 2024 International Innovation Award 🏅, Okiy blends intellect with innovation, global insight with local impact, and theory with practice. A true 21st-century chemical engineer. 🚀

Professional Profile 

Scopus

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🎓 Education

Okiy’s academic journey reflects his relentless pursuit of knowledge and global academic integration 🌐. He earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (2024) from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria 🎓, achieving a stellar CGPA of 4.91/5.00 and clinching the International Innovation Award 🏆 for his groundbreaking research on heavy metal adsorption using agricultural waste-based activated carbon. His prior qualifications include a Master of Philosophy in Process Engineering from Sorbonne University 🇫🇷, where he explored solar thermochemical fuel production, and an M.Sc. in Advanced Chemical Engineering from the University of Leeds 🇬🇧, where he analyzed extended surface heat transfer. His foundational knowledge was built at the University of Lagos with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. Okiy also holds professional certifications like the Oracle Database Administration (ODBA) and has mastered languages such as French 🇫🇷 and English 🇬🇧. From West Africa to Western Europe, his academic credentials are as diverse as they are distinguished. 🧠📚

🧪 Professional Experience

With over 17 years of robust multidisciplinary experience, Okiy Karinate Valentine has worked across continents and sectors 🌎. He currently holds the post of Principal Engineer at NESREA, where he leads environmental monitoring for Nigeria’s chemical and pharmaceutical sectors 🏭🌱. At ChreoLab (Portugal) and LuXDEM (Luxembourg), he contributed significantly to cutting-edge CFD simulations and mesh preprocessing using C++ and OpenFOAM, tackling complex multiphase reactors 💻. His time at LafargeHolcim saw him overseeing raw mill grinding system operations, while at Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, he operated and optimized various refinery units and took part in shutdowns, troubleshooting, and technical evaluations ⚙️🔥. His roles have blended field engineering with high-level computational modeling, always pushing for environmental and process excellence. Okiy’s career bridges regulatory science and industrial performance, reflecting his adaptability, leadership, and commitment to sustainable engineering practices. 🌍👷‍♂️

🔬 Research Interests

Okiy’s research domain spans a futuristic palette of scientific exploration and industrial innovation 🌟. His intellectual compass points toward Environmental Engineering, Process Design, Thermodynamics, and Multiscale Modeling. He is passionate about adsorption technology, particularly using bio-based activated carbons for environmental remediation 🌿. CFD is his playground, as seen in his work on OpenFOAM, COMSOL Multiphysics, and SAFT-γ Mie molecular simulations. His passion also extends to Artificial Intelligence applications in engineering (ANN, ANFIS, GMDH), bridging traditional process modeling with data-driven intelligence 🤖. His expertise in renewable energy, reaction engineering, and mass transfer underscores his commitment to eco-conscious innovation. Whether modeling nanomaterials or simulating conjugate heat transfer, his research is integrative, data-rich, and globally relevant. With tools like MATLAB, HSC Chemistry, and CHEMKIN at his fingertips, Okiy explores engineering problems with both depth and futuristic foresight. 🔍💡

🏆 Awards and Honors

Okiy’s crowning academic achievement is the prestigious 2024 International Innovation Award (IIA) 🥇, honoring his research on heavy metal uptake via agricultural waste-derived activated carbon—a breakthrough in sustainable wastewater treatment 🌿. His academic brilliance has consistently been evident, from securing a Distinction in Ph.D. studies to earning a Merit at the University of Leeds 🇬🇧. He was also a Registered Engineer with COREN (r.20768) since 2011, demonstrating his national-level credibility in professional engineering 🔧. Additionally, his impressive IELTS score of 8.0/9.0 📘 and French language certification (Sorbonne) highlight his linguistic dexterity and adaptability in multicultural settings 🌐. Okiy is a member of AIChE (USA) and the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, reinforcing his global professional network. These accolades are not just testaments to his brilliance, but affirmations of his relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation. 🧠🌟

Publications Top Notes 

📄 Title:

Modeling of Adsorptive Treatment of Lead (II) Ions Contaminated Effluents Using Cashew Nut Shell Alkali Activated Carbon: Batch Kinetic, Isothermal and Thermodynamic Studies

👥 Authors:

• Karinate Valentine Okiy

• Joseph Tagbo Nwabanne

• Chukwuemeka Darlington MaduagwuOUCI

📅 Year:

2024

📚 Journal:

Hybrid AdvancesMDPI

🔗 DOI:

10.1016/j.hybadv.2024.100306

🔍 Citation:

Okiy, K.V., Nwabanne, J.T., & Maduagwu, C.D. (2024). Modeling of Adsorptive Treatment of Lead (II) Ions Contaminated Effluents Using Cashew Nut Shell Alkali Activated Carbon: Batch Kinetic, Isothermal and Thermodynamic Studies. Hybrid Advances, 100306.

🔚 Conclusion

In summation, Okiy Karinate Valentine epitomizes a rare blend of scientific brilliance, hands-on experience, and global exposure 🌍🔬. His professional voyage weaves together regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, process optimization, and high-end simulation in a cohesive narrative of impact and innovation 💼💡. Whether decoding CFD code in Europe, overseeing refinery operations in Nigeria, or modeling eco-friendly technologies for pollution control, Okiy remains steadfast in addressing real-world engineering challenges with intellect and integrity 🌱. His cross-disciplinary expertise and multicultural education make him not only a formidable engineer but also a global thought leader in sustainable process design. As the world confronts climate change, waste pollution, and energy transitions, professionals like Okiy stand as pillars of the engineering renaissance—a blend of logic, creativity, and purpose. 💪🌐🚀