Doctoral student Obewhere receives NSBE Grad Brag Award

Oghenetega Allen Obewhere, a doctoral student in chemical engineering, received a Grad Brag Award at the annual National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Annual Convention, March 22-26 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Grad Brag Awards are presented to three students from U.S. college chapters in recognition for "upholding the NSBE mission in increasing the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community."

"We are a small chapter here at Nebraska – with a little under 30 members – and we are just coming back after we were inactive starting in 2019," Obewhere said. "So, it's good that we are being recognized at a national level for what we are doing here. That speaks volumes about what our students and our advisor, Tony Roebuck, have accomplished."

Obewhere said the Nebraska chapter has prioritized giving back to the local communities, including being involved in outreach activities such as at the Malone Community Center and the Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach.

The NSBE Convention being held in Kansas City and financial support from the College of Engineering enabled the Nebraska chapter to have at least 20 members - nearly its entire membership – attend the event and network with NSBE chapters and members from across the United States.

"It was good for us to see how other chapters have grown and what they have done. Now, we can look to expand our horizons as we reach out on campus and in the communities we serve," Obewhere said.

Obewhere's research is one of the key components of the award. He is a research assistant in the Polymeric Nanomaterials lab of Shudipto Dishari, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering.

"Dr. Dishari's support and mentorship have been instrumental for me in pursuing some out-of-the-box nanomaterials research," Obewhere said. "We are working to design more efficient, eco-friendly and cost-effective ionomers for renewable energy applications. Our research is both relevant and significant, and it was reflected by this award."