Dr Liadi Mudashiru
KTP Associate

Introduction

After completing my PhD with the Chemical Nanoscience Research Group, School of Natural Sciences at Newcastle University, under the supervisions of Dr. Benjamin Horrocks and Professor Andrew Aplin,during which I worked on a project entitled "Electrochemical Determination of Dissolved and Particulate Iron in Mine-waters", I then moved to the Sir Joseph Swan Institute for Energy Research (Newcastle University) for a postdoctoral position with Professor Dermot Roddy where I worked as a Research Associate on energy research involving clean use of fossil fuels with interest in underground coal gasification and carbon capture and storage (UCG-CCS). I am now back to the School of Chemistry in the Chemical Nanoscience Laboratory where I now work as a KTP Associate.

Background

I have a solid background in general chemistry at BSc level, followed by an MSc in Geosciences and a PhD in environmental chemistry at Newcastle University. As part of the Science City Energy project, my present research endeavor focuses on clean energy technologies with interest in coal gasification using Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) technology.The method offers a wide range of benefits compared to the conventional coal combustion plant by combining high energy efficiency with reduction in environmental footprint among others. Coupling of UCG-CCS even offers greater promises of combating global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Roles and Responsibilities

As a research associate in the newly created energy research institute as part of the Newcastle Science City Project, my wide range of responsibilities include research in the commercial feasibility and applications of UCG technology towards low carbon economy in the North East of England.

Qualifications

•PhD in Environmental Chemistry,Newcastle University,2008.
•ITLHE Teaching certificate-Introduction to teaching and learning in higher education,Newcastle University,2007.
•MSc in Environmental Biogeochemistry,Newcastle University,2003.
•BSc (Hons) in Chemistry,Obafemi Awolowo University,Nigeria,2001.

Memberships

•Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
•American Chemical Society (ACS)
•American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
•European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers(EAGE)
•Member of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
•Member of Electrochemical Society (ECS)
•American Scientist (Sigma Xi)
•Member, Sense About Science (www.senseaboutscience.org)

Honours and Awards

•Awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry(RSC)-JWT Jones Fellowship-2010,for research collaboration with the University of Calgary,Canada.
•Awarded the Royal Society International Collaboration Grant(TG100967),October 2010.
•Awarded "Grant-in-aid" by the British Council Netherlands under the Partnership Programme in Science (UK-Netherlands co-operation).
•Awarded the RCUK-Indian "Early Careers Researchers' Travel Fellowship" (April 2010).
•Awarded "Our Common Future" Fellowhsip for 2010, sponsored by Volkswagen Foundation, Germany. (www.volkswagenstiftung.de)
•Winner, 2009 Environment Young Enterpreneurs Scheme-Enterprise competition for scientists, sponsored by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)-(www.Nerc.ac.uk/using/schemes/yes)
•The Royal Society International Travel Grant Award-September,2009
•Awarded the "Most Inspirational STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Ambassador in the UK" in the House of Parliament(April 30,2009)London.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/leading-lights-celebrating-pioneers-in-science-technology-engineering-and-maths-1674916.html
•Selected/shortlisted finalist for the 2009 British Science Association Media Fellowship Award (April, 2009).
•Invited to the National Science and Engineering Ambassadors(SEAs) Celebration Reception in the House of Lords,London UK (April 29,2009).
•Invited to the Westminster Energy,Environment & Transport(WEET) Forum Parliamentary Reception, House of Commons,London,UK (April 20,2009).
•The Neil Hughes Prize 2008 for academic excellence and contributions to science communication & engagement,School of Chemistry,Newcastle University.
•International Postgraduate Scholarship for Academic Excellence(2005-2008).
•Royal Society of Chemistry Travel Awards (2005,2006,2007 & 2008).
•Goldschmidt 2008 Travel Award.
•Awarded Workaholic Science and Engineering Ambassador of the year 2008 by the University of Newcastle.
•the BA fellowship(science communication) award 2007.
•Society for Chemical Industry Awards-(Messel and AJ Bank Bursar, 2007,2008).
•Mountbatten Memorial Award 2008.
•RSC-Electrochemistry Group Awards (2006,2007 and 2008).
•Leche Trust Award 2008

Languages

English-official language-very fluent
German-very basic
Italian-very basic
Yoruba-mother tongue
Spanish-very basic

Informal Interests

•Travelling
•Footballing
•Table and lawn tennis
•Socialising and meeting new people
•Photography

Research Interests

Environmental Chemistry and geosciences
Geochemical modelling
Coal Chemistry,Geosciences and Sustainability
Gasification Technologies
Underground Coal Gasification and Carbon Capture and Storage (UCG-CCS).
Geochemical modelling

Other Expertise

Chemistry of mine-water pollution
Characterisation of particulate iron in polluted mine-waters.
Analytical techniques including spectroscopic and microscopic techniques such as HR-TEM,HR-SEM,EDAX,XRD,AFM,FTIR,Raman,ICP-OES,Ion Chromatogrpahy,GC-MS,GC-FID,AAS etc.
Electrochemistry/Electro-analytical techniques-Cyclic Voltammetry(CV),DPV,Ultramicroelectrodes(UMEs) etc

Current Work

Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) technology.
Energy Research including
Low Carbon Economy
Clean Use of Fossil Fuels including clean and enviornmentally friendly use of coal.
Carbon Capture and Strorage (CCS)
Decarbonising fossil fuels.
Syngas clean-up

Future Research

UCG-CCS
Numerical Modelling
Simulation

Research Roles

Feaibility study of application and commercial viability of UCG technology in the North East of England.
Development of opportunities for cross-linking research in energy research involving UCG, CCS etc.

Postgraduate Supervision

I supervise a number of Nuffield Foundation Scholars.

Esteem Indicators

•Invited rapporteur and contributor to the EU-2020 Framework discussion on Research & Innovation (The Hague, Netherlands).
•Awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry(RSC)-JWT Jones Fellowship-2010 for research collaboration with the University of Calgary,Canada.
•Awarded the Royal Society International Collaboration Grant(TG100967),October 2010.
•British Council-Netherlands Research Fellow to the TNO(Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research),Utrecht(23 September-17 October, 2010).
•Invited participant/Newcastle University representative at the RCUK International Review of Energy Programme, Edinburgh(26 October, 2010).
•Registered expert evaluator for the European Union-Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS).
•Public Engagement Ambassador for STEM(Science,Technology,Engineering & Mathematics).
•Expert reviewer for Elservier 'Fuel Processing Technology' journal.
•Fellow, "Our Common Future" 2010, sponsored by Volkswagen Foundation, Germany-(www.volkswagenstiftung.de).
•Nuffield Foundation Scholarship project provider (2 students supervised)-August-September, 2009.
•Newcastle University Representative at the Clean Coal Coalition Forum in the House of Parliament, London, UK (2008-date)
•Selected finalist by the British Science Association(BSA)for the "Perspective-a poster presentation with a difference" for presentation at the 2009 British Science Festival,Sept.5-10,Surrey.
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/BritishScienceFestival
•Selected participant in the STEM "Leading Lights" National Exhibition project
http://www.stemnet.org.uk/ambassadors/leading_lights.cfm
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/leading-lights-celebrating-pioneers-in-science-technology-engineering-and-maths-1674916.html
•Selected participant in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) Ambassadors-a Science TV Documentary Audition Project for Teachers' TV (April 3,3009),London.
•Invited presenter in the House of Parliaments, London during the National Science and Engineering week, April, 2007.
•Regular participant at the RSC Parliamentary Links Day and Voice of the Future on Science,Innovation,Engineering and Technology, House of Commons, London.
•Invited guest to meet 5 Chemistry Nobel Laureates,Budapest, Hungary,September, 2006.
•Judge of posters and oral presentitions at AAPG conference, Paris, 2005.
•Science Role Model and judge at Regional Young Scientists and Engineers' Forum, Salford, Greater Mnachester, 2007.
•Resident researcher,Science explainer,communicator and demonstrator(2005-2008).
•Science Role Model and demonstrator at the National Young Scientists and Engineers' Forum, London (March 2008).
•Science and Engineering Ambassador for Newcastle University(2007-08)
•UK STEM Ambassador- The UK Science Technology Engineering $ Mathematics (STEM) (2005-present).

Funding

•Awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry(RSC)-JWT Jones Fellowship-2010,for research collaboration with the University of Calgary,Canada.
•Awarded the Royal Society Interntaional Research Collaboration Fellowship 2010 to visit University of Calgary,Canada-Grant Reference TG100967.
•Awarded the Royal Society International Travel Fellowship(2009)-Grant number:TG090916.
•Awarded the RCUK-Indian Early Careers Researchers' Travel Fellowship
•Awarded the British Council-Netherlands Partnership Programme in Science (Grant-in-aid)

Industrial Relevance

The research has wider and relevant application in the energy industry particularly the coal-fired power plants and in the oil and gas sector.Also in the climate change (CO2) mitigation and adaptation sector.

Undergraduate Teaching

•Teaching of Japanese postgraduate student on Energy module
•Various Physical Chemistry Practicals (year 1-3) -(Demonstrator)
•Private tutor of chemistry at various levels (undergraduate and postgraduate)
•Online expert in chemistry,geosciences and applied science.

Undergraduate Teaching

•Teaching of Japanese postgraduate student on Energy module
•Various Physical Chemistry Practicals (year 1-3) -(Demonstrator)
•Private tutor of chemistry at various levels (undergraduate and postgraduate)
•Online expert in chemistry,geosciences and applied science.