Featured Member: Olisa Menakaya on HBCU CONNECT!

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Q&A With Olisa Menakaya

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Olisa Menakaya
Chemistry Tutor, Tennessee State University
Location: Nashville, TN United States
Joined: Jun 25th, 2013

About (request update)

My name is Olisa Kenneth Menakaya, also known as OK.Menakaya. I am a Chemist. Innovator. Educator. I was born in Fort Worth, TX, while my parents travel from Nigeria. They instilled in my Nigerian heritage, making me proud and passionate of my African-American community. My project title "Life of a Black Chemist" reflects my unique experiences as an African American male who has overcome many obstacles towards reaching my goal of becoming a Chemist.

Current Whereabouts:

As a Masters Chemistry graduate student at Tennessee State University (TSU), I explored the fascinating world of Chemistry including topics like heavy metal separation in fields such as general, inorganic, organic, and analytical chemistry. My academic research focuses on applied chemistry geared at finding innovative solutions for environmental applications. Currently, I am working with the Siddiquee Group at the TSU Department of Chemistry on a project involving methods of chemical precipitation using a chemical reagent, 4-aminothiophenol. In addition, I tutor students in Chemistry and give speeches to adults and youth, alike, on a variety of science topics. However, during my time at TSU, I noticed that many people who started as a STEM majors (Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), would change their majors outside of the science field. This decline in students seeking out science majors inspired me to use my voice and experience as a STEM major to help others.

Life & Professional Aspirations:

The Life of a Black Chemist (L.O.A.B.C.) album demonstrates my passion for motivating others to learn and potentially pursue Chemistry as a career. I have used various outlets like Youtube videos, social media, and community outreach to share my experiences and knowledge about Chemistry which has been the foundation of my success. As a budding chemist, my leadership has been honored with various awards like the ACS Younger Chemist Leader Award and Undergraduate National Leadership Award. My first recorded song is entitled �Chemist of the Year� which reflects an award that I received from the American Chemical Society in 2013. I plan to further my education by pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry.

Website:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/okmenakaya/life-of-a-black-chemist-the-beginning

Education (request update)

Tennessee State University class of 2013

Undergrad Major: Chemistry

Claim To Fame:

 Younger Chemist Committee Leadership Development Award, 2013  American Chemical Society Leadership Award, 2011  Massie Chair of Excellence Scholarship, 2011  Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance Minority Participation (TLSAMP) Scholarship, 2010  ACS Student Travel Award, 243rd and 245th ACS National Meeting & Exposition

Most Memorable Moment:

President of Tennessee State University Chemistry Club: The memories that came along with this role is what gave me the confidence to be proud of my STEM major.

Tennessee State University class of

Grad Major:

High School: Antioch in Antioch, TN class of 2006

Activities & Accomplishments:

Antioch High School Football Team: 2004-2006

Best Memories:

Reading "All Things Fall Apart" during my 10th grade English class

Experience

I currently work with Tennessee State University as Chemistry Tutor
I have 6 years of experience working in the Science industry.

Teaching Assistant | Tennessee State University - Department of Chemistry
From January 2012 to May 2013 • 1 year(s)
Prepared chemical reagents and demonstrated laboratory techniques using instrumentation methods.

Research Assistant | Tennessee State University - Department of Chemistry
From January 2012 to May 2013 • 1 year(s)
Investigated two-component supramolecular system for metal ion separation using ICP-OES and AAS.

Tutor | Tennessee State University - Boswell Science Complex Tutor Center
From January 2011 to August 2012 • 1 year(s)
Tutored undergraduates in general chemistry and organic chemistry.

Research Assistant | National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Tennessee State University
From August 2011 to January 2012 • 1 year(s)
Detected and characterized metal ions extractions synthesizing nanomaterials using TEM, IR and PXRD.

Field Investigator | TSU Center for Prevention Research
From May 2011 to August 2011 • 0 year(s)
Conducted nutrition enrichment and obesity prevention research and performed community outreach.

Research Assistant | TLSAMP and Tennessee State University - Department of Chemistry
From May 2010 to April 2011 • 1 year(s)
Utilized colorimetric assay and AAS to determine ionic gold in metallic gold nanoparticles and analyzed nanoparticle-polysaccharide interactions.

Administrative Assistant | Tennessee State University - Department of Chemistry
From September 2009 to April 2011 • 2 year(s)
Administrative support duties in the Chemistry Department.

Research Assistant | Tennessee State University - Department of Chemistry
From June 2010 to August 2010 • 0 year(s)
Experimented on organic reactions in synthesis of fluorinated enamiones as potential antiepileptic agents.

My Groups

Dirty South HBCU

Guestbook Comments

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