Sylvia Nwosu

Major: Ph.D., Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering

After high school, I was fascinated by the problem-solving world of engineering. The global demand for alternative energy sources and sustainable chemicals fueled my interest in chemical and environmental engineering. As an international student from Nigeria, I wanted to solve several challenging environmental issues that came with the nation’s crude oil resources. After BSc and MSc degrees in chemical and environmental engineering respectively, I fell in love with the challenges and rewards of the research track and decided to pursue a PhD in chemical and petroleum engineering.

As I was making graduate school choices, KU topped my list for several reasons. First, I would have the opportunity to work at the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC), a multidisciplinary National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (NSF-ERC). Secondly, it would allow my family - husband and children - to be together in one location, since his company had a branch in the Kansas City metro area that he could be transferred to. I have enjoyed my time here at CEBC. It affords me the opportunity to network with CEBC industry partners (Fortune-500 senior engineering representatives) while working with a most diverse and internationally recognized team.

My doctoral project captures several of my research interests: sustainable green engineering, thermodynamics and reaction engineering. My research focuses on greener and cheaper ways to produce Ionic Liquids (ILs). These liquids are new “designer” solvents that can be specifically designed for several uses. With millions of ILs possible, the sky is the limit to their applications: from using them as additives in household products to industrial applications. Unlike traditional solvents like acetone (nail polish remover) and ethanol (disinfectant), these solvents do not vaporize. Now, you can expect your chemicals to stay where you need them to: that’s green! Why are manufacturers not using these solvents? Unfortunately, they are currently not cheap. As with things with promise, money is the driver. We need to find cheaper ways to make Ionic Liquids.

As a mother of three boys, it is no surprise that I enjoy teaching and mentoring. I am involved with both the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Besides school, I enjoy cooking, especially baking! I am both honored and excited about being an Engineering Graduate Ambassador. I look forward to meeting and welcoming prospective students to our beautiful campus here at the University of Kansas.

Rock Chalk!

Prospective students may contact me at kuengr@ku.edu.