Obioma Uche Headshot

Obioma Uche

Assistant Professor

Department of Chemical Engineering
Kate Gleason College of Engineering

585-475-7960
Office Location

Obioma Uche

Assistant Professor

Department of Chemical Engineering
Kate Gleason College of Engineering

Bio

Dr. Obioma Uche is currently an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology.  She earned B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and Princeton University respectively. Dr. Uche’s research interests are concentrated in the areas of computational chemistry and materials science. In particular, she has investigated the dynamics and behavior of materials at interfaces as well as the catalytic reaction pathways that occur in heterogeneous systems. Her approach has involved applying state-of-the-art computational techniques to obtain a scientific understanding of the fundamental structural elements and interactions that govern the behavior of systems. 

Dr. Uche has published several research papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has served as a fellow of the Salzburg Global Seminar and the MIT-ETT Program. Prior to entering academia, she practiced as a Chemical Engineer for several years and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) as well as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). 

585-475-7960

Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Uche, Obioma and Micah Sidorick. "A Comparative Analysis of the Vibrational and Structural Properties of Nearly Incommensurate Overlayer Systems." Surface Science 717. (2022): 121989. Print.
Peters, Jared I., Lisa Tang, and Obioma U. Uche. "Influence of Size and Composition on the Transformation Mechanics of Gold-Silver Core-Shell Nanoparticles." Journal of Physical Chemistry C 126. 15 (2022): 6612-6618. Web.
Uche, Obioma U., Han G. Le, and Logan B. Brunner. "Size-selective, Rapid Dynamics of Large, Hhetero-epitaxial Islands on fcc(0 0 1) Surfaces." Computational Materials Science 188. (2021): 110225. Web.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Uche, Obioma. "From Theory to Simulations: Providing Insights on Interfacial Behavior beyond and below the Nanoscale." National Chemical Engineering Future Faculty Seminar Series. Princeton University/Northeastern University. Virtual, USA. 19 Nov. 2021. Guest Lecture.
Uche, Obioma U. "Investigation of “Soft” Oxidants for Selective Oxidation of Methane." Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering Graduate Seminar Series. Alfred University. Alfred, New York. 30 Jan. 2020. Guest Lecture.

Currently Teaching

CHME-492
3 Credits
Students work in teams to design and simulate a realistic chemical manufacturing plant. An assigned project requires students to draw on, and integrate, knowledge from all core chemical engineering courses taken over the previous 5 years. The course is taught in the chemical engineering computer lab and makes extensive use of both chemical process simulation software (ChemCad), software for drawing piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID’s) as well as online resources that chemical engineers use to size and select parts and equipment.
CHME-499
0 Credits
One semester of paid work experience in chemical engineering.
CHME-589
3 Credits
Topics and subject areas that are not regularly offered are provided under this course. Such courses are offered in a normal format; that is, regularly scheduled class sessions with an instructor. The level of complexity is commensurate with an upper-level undergraduate technical course.
CHME-689
3 Credits
Topics and subject areas that are not regularly offered are provided under this course. Such courses are offered in a normal format; that is, regularly scheduled class sessions with an instructor. The level of complexity is commensurate with an upper-level undergraduate technical course.
CHME-789
3 Credits
The chemical engineering curriculum are provided under the title of Special Topics. Such courses are offered in a normal format; that is, regularly scheduled class sessions with an instructor.
MTSE-777
3 Credits
This course is a capstone project using research facilities available inside or outside of RIT.

In the News

  • February 10, 2023

    Up close photo of students sitting in chairs looking ahead.

    RIT-Rochester Prep High School Partnership gives students a preview of college

    Plastic pollutants, the coronavirus, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the strength of nanowires, and why freshly cut grass smells the way it does—these are some of the topics students from Rochester Prep High School explored during a mentorship program with RIT faculty. They shared their projects and new perspectives during the RIT-Rochester Prep Capstone Showcase held Feb. 6 at RIT.

  • February 15, 2022

    two students hugging in front of school lockers.

    Rochester Prep High School students share their capstone experience

    One highlight of the RIT-Rochester Prep High School Partnership is the annual capstone showcase that spotlights student-professor collaborations. Their diverse projects in photojournalism, antibiotic resistance, 3D printing and fabrication, and chemical engineering gave the students experience on a college campus and the confidence of completing undergraduate-level material.