Prof. Chukwunonye Moses Ojinnaka
Professor Chukwunonye M. Ojinnaka graduated from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria, with a Bachelor of Science degree Hons. 1973 and a doctorate degree in 1978 in Chemistry. He was Head of Research Division, Leather Research Institute of Nigeria, (LRIN) Zaria, Kaduna State from 1978 to 1979. He also acted as Research Associate, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at the Medical Center, Chicago in 1981. Professor Ojinnaka was also appointed as Senior Research Fellow, Arrhenius Laboratory, University of Stockholm, Sweden from 1984 to 1985 and appointed Head, Chemistry Department at the University Of Port Harcourt from 1988-1990.
In 1995, he was made a Professor of Chemistry, and became Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt from 2004 to 2008 and was made a Senior Research Advisor to the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) from 1999 to 2000 and from 2008 through 2009.
Professor Ojinnaka is a fellow of many Professional bodies which includes, Chemical Society Of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Chemical Research, and patron , Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.
He can be reached at Chukwunonye.ojinnaka@uniport.edu.ng and on mobile: +2348063680679
ACADEMIC RESEARCH:
Medicinal plant Research
Niger Delta region of Nigeria abounds with unexploited flora and fauna. This informs the effort directed towards the search for novel drugs originating from plant and animal sources. The aim of this research includes:
a) Screening medicinal plants for their biologically active principles
b) Isolation, and characterization of biologically active principles
Ongoing RESEARCH:
The Antimalarial Plants Agents of Nigeria: The alkaloids of Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae) (Isolation and bioactivity).
The Molluscicidal and Antibacterial principles of Napoleonaea imperialis (Isolation and structural elucidation).
The results of completed research works are published in Phytochemistry,Afr J Med Med Sci and Journal of Natural Products, Biologia Africana and Proceedings of Nigeria Academy of Science.
2. CHEMICAL TRIBOLOGY: MECHANISM OF REACTION OF LUBRICANTS AT HIGH TEMPERATURES
Crude oil and its by-products are important economic mainstay in Nigeria. This research will improve the marketability of crude oil and its by-products. The aim of this research project is to study:
a) The mechanism of the oxidative degradation of automotive crankcase oil
b) The role of metals in the oxidative degradation of automotive crankcase oils
c) The effects of temperature on the chemical characteristics of automotive crankcase oils and their base oils.
Ongoing Research:
Effects of vanadium and other transition metals on degradation of automotive crankcase oils.
Most of the completed research works are published in Tribology International, and Lubrication Science.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION.
University of Port Harcourt is established in a region prone to environmental degradation due to crude oil exploitation and spillage. The research aims at carrying out:
Environmental baseline
Post-impact environmental assessment of polluted sites
The objective is to provide the necessary impetus for environmental protection and rehabilitation.
Ongoing Research:
a) Assessment and treatment of hydrocarbon-inundated soils using inorganic nutrient (N-P-K) supplements.
b) Chemical Reclamation of crude-oil-inundated soils from Niger Delta, Nigeria.
c) Preliminary investigation on Mgbede-20 oil-polluted site in Niger Delta, Nigeria.
Publications by this research group could be found in following journals: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Chemistry and Ecology, Chemistry & Biodiversity and Res.J.Chem.Sci..
4. Crude oil Dehydration: Formulation of demulsifiers from surface active components.
The co-existence of produced water with crude oil causes crude-oil emulsion and pipeline corrosion. The aim of the research is: To formulate a crude oil demulsifier that may be friendly in a specified Nigerian oil field.
Ongoing Research:
Study on Demulsifier Formulation for Treating Bonny light Crude oil Emulsion using HLB – Dielectric Permittivity Correlations.
Chukwuka Ozor