Major: Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
Advisor: Janani Sampath, Ph.D.
Department: Chemical Engineering
With a background deeply rooted in engineering, Taofeek is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in chemical engineering working to accelerate the design and development of polymer materials for diverse technological applications.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Taofeek enjoys learning about the composition of things-whether products used in everyday human life or advanced technologies such as composite materials in airplanes. Engaged in science since high school, he went on to study chemical engineering at University of Lagos, graduating with a university honors. Taofeek has won numerous awards prior to coming to UF. Most notably, he placed second in the Lagos State Ready Set Work 2.0 entrepreneurship challenge, received the Professor Emeritus Harmon W. Ray Prize and was selected as a Fellow of the Venture in Management at the Lagos Business School.
In the department of chemical engineering, he has contributed both in research and service in various capacities. His research focuses on improving the fundamental understanding of polymeric materials and using these insights to guide their applications in different technological contexts. Notably, he has also been a mentor in the Women in Chemical Engineering Summer programs and the Student Science Summer Program for high school students.
Our graduate students bring a unique blend of passion, expertise, and dedication to their research. In and out of the laboratory, they are driven by curiosity and a commitment to advancing their field. Here are their stories, visions, and what they enjoy outside research. Taofeek shares more about his journey in this latest graduate student spotlight.
Here is more about one of chemical engineering’s department leading doctoral researchers:
Question: What are your research interests?
Answer:
Accelerating the design and development of polymer materials using advancement in computational techniques. The demand for innovative synthetic polymers with improved properties is high, but their structural complexity and intrinsic vast design impedes rapid discovery. Thus, computational methods are effective ways to rapidly screen these materials and gain new insights into their behavior.
Question: How will this research translate to real-world applications?
Answer: Using advancements in computational methods, my work aims to unravel fundamental mechanisms underlying the behavior of polymers which finds application in modern day everyday life of humans and in advanced technologies such as in composite materials used for rocket propulsion. From the application standpoint, we aim to shed more light into fundamental mechanisms dictating their responses under different use such as in adhesion and when they are integrated with other devices.
Question: Why UF?
Answer: I chose UF because of the high-ranked chemical engineering program, its collaborative and supportive research community, and the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that impact both Florida and the world.
Question: What is the most interesting project you have worked on at UF?
In our latest research, we are investigating how to improve strength at a welded polymer-polymer interface without altering their chemistry. This work has technological implications, such as when polymers are integrated with other devices. Another project I am proud of will be the UF Student Science Summer Program for High School Students, where I had the opportunity to mentor high school students and engage them on how science can be a useful tool in making the world a better place and a rewarding career path.
Question: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Answer: Over the past two and half years, I have had the opportunity to work as advanced degree intern in a research and development setting at DOW Chemical, one of the leading polymer materials science companies. There, I witnessed the real-world impact of these materials, the increasing importance of computational approaches, and how they integral they have become in improving our quality of life. I envision myself leading teams of scientists and engineers to further advance the design and development of high-performance polymer materials for diverse technological applications, as I believe their full potential has not yet been realized.
Question: What is your favorite part about UF/Gainesville?
Answer: I love the strong sense of community, the diverse and impactful work of the faculty, and the nature spots that help me unwind and stay inspired. It is also a bonus that many of Florida’s beautiful beaches are within a two-hour drive from Gainesville.
Question: What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy playing soccer, reading historical books, going to the beach, spending time with my son and wife, Mariam Badru.