Dr. Soboyejo will Speak on Advanced Manufacturing as Part of Lecture Series by UNESCO and the Botswana International University of Science and Technology

UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) President and renowned materials scientist, Dr. Winston Oluwole Soboyejo, will present to an international audience as part of an initiative to connect world leaders in advanced manufacturing with engineers, scientists, and students in developing nations. His talk, entitled “Next Frontiers for Advanced Manufacturing: From Health to Energy and Multifunctional Structures,” will take place via Zoom at 11:00 a.m. EST on March 28.

Dr. Soboyejo’s presentation is part of the 1st UCoSMIT Distinguished Quarterly Advanced Manufacturing Lecture Series, a joint effort of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair on Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovative Technologies (UCoSMIT) and the Botswana International University of Science and Technology.

UNESCO is an organization that aims to enhance peace, security, and sustainable development by fostering international collaboration. Initiatives of this particular UNESCO Chair, in collaboration with institutions of higher education, are designed to further those UNESCO goals by developing and strengthening science, technology, and innovation policy and research in specific regions (in this case, in Africa).

Dr. Soboyejo says he is honored to be able to play a role in promoting knowledge of the most cutting-edge developments in advanced manufacturing in Africa. “In Botswana,” he explained, “manufacturing currently makes up only a small portion of the GDP, so growing this sector is a top priority in the nation’s efforts to build its economy, create jobs, and establish self-sufficiency. To be competitive, countries like Botswana will need to embrace the most cutting-edge technologies, methods, and materials. This can only be accomplished through strong collaborations among institutions of higher education and non-governmental organizations.”

In his presentation, Dr. Soboyejo, will share some recent advancements in manufacturing that will impact health, energy, and the environment. His research focuses on the fabrication of innovative materials, including nanostructures for a wide variety of manufacturing processes with implications for far-ranging innovation, from breast cancer detection and treatment to specialized coatings for electronics to the manufacturing of light emitting devices, solar cells, and batteries with enhanced performance characteristics.

“Materials science touches everything we create,” said Dr. Soboyejo, “and advanced manufacturing has the power to transform economies, societies, and, quite frankly, the world. I’m proud to be able to say we have many leaders in this field, state-of-the-art facilities, and programs to impart all of this to a future workforce right here in Utica, New York at SUNY Poly.” 

About the speaker
Dr. Soboyejo, who boasts over three decades of teaching, research, academic leadership and industry experience, was appointed as SUNY Poly’s seventh president by the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees last September. He joined SUNY Poly from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he most recently served as provost and senior vice president after having served as interim provost and interim president from April 2022 to May 2023. He started at WPI as dean of engineering and engineering leadership. 

Dr. Soboyejo received his BSc in mechanical engineering from King’s College London in 1985, and a PhD in materials science and metallurgy from Cambridge University in 1988.  He was a Research Scientist at the McDonnell Douglas Research Labs between 1988 and 1992, before joining the Edison Welding Institute in 1992. Since 1992, he has served on the engineering faculty at The Ohio State University (1992-1999), MIT (1997-1998), Princeton University (1999-2016), African University of Science and Technology (2011-2024), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2016-2023) and SUNY Poly (2023-present). 

He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the African Academy of Science, Fellow of the World Academy of Science, Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He has also previously served as president and provost of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja, Nigeria, a Pan-African university founded by the Nelson Mandela Institutions (NMI).

Dr. Soboyejo’s research focuses on biomaterials and the use of nanoparticles for the detection and treatment of disease, the mechanical properties of materials, and the use of materials science to promote global development. He has an exceptional record of achievement in engineering research and academic leadership as well as impressive accomplishments in international development and a noteworthy track record in building global research and educational partnerships. Furthermore, he is the author or co-author of four textbooks and more than 400 papers in peer-reviewed journals. He has had over 180 presentations published in conference proceedings and has edited 20 conference proceedings and journal special issues.