James Obute
Austin
Summary
Chemical Engineering PhD at the University of Texas at Austin passionate about tackling the world's greatest energy challenges. PhD work focused on carbon capture using amine scrubbing. Specifically, it focused on amine oxidation, solvent screening, and techno-economic analysis of an oxidation mitigation technique. Awarded Environmental Engineering Certification at the University of Kentucky during undergraduate studies.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
08.2020 - 05.2026
- Screened 16 amines using an oxygen depletion batch reactor for susceptibility to oxidative degradation.
- Characterized the oxidative stability of degraded NCCC pilot plant campaign solvent.
- Performed a techno-economic analysis on nitrogen sparging for oxygen removal using a 942 MWe NETL NGCC base case.
- Delineated the catalytic effect of transition metals and amino acids on the rate of dissolved oxygen consumption in piperazine (PZ)
- Mentored undergraduate researchers by guiding them during experimental operation and data analysis
- Published amino acid work in a peer-reviewed journal, highlighting their ability to drive PZ oxidation.
MIT Summer Research Program Intern
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
06.2019 - 07.2019
- Studied the effects of electrode compression on the performance of redox flow batteries
- Awarded Outstanding Poster, MIT Summer Research Program
Summer Engineering Research Fellow
Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
05.2018 - 07.2018
- Studied the effects of electrode compression on the performance of redox flow batteries Modified the surface of carbon supercapacitor electrodes to improve hydrophilicity and deposition of MnO₂ a pseudocapacitance material.
- Awarded 2nd place in the undergraduate poster competition, Washington University.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Chemical Engineering
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX05.2026
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX05.2025
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY05.2020
Skills
- Environmental Engineering
- Global Climate Strategy
- Design of Experiments
- Amine Solvent Characterization
- Aspen Plus
- Project Management
- Techno-Economic Analysis
- Leadership
- Pilot Plant Operation
- Strong Interpersonal Communication
Accomplishments
Leadership
President, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society (2019-2020)
President and Founder, University of Kentucky Energy Club (2018-2019)
Awards
Univ. of Texas at Austin Graduate School Fellowship
Tau Beta Pi Fellowship
E.On Scholarship in Power and Energy
Joseph P. Kennedy Award
Affiliations
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) | since Fall 2018
- Tau Beta Pi | since Fall 2018
- National Society of Black Engineers | since fall 2017
Certification
Environmental Engineering Certification (2020)
Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky Certification (2020)
Languages
English: Native
Timeline
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Texas at Austin
08.2020 - 05.2026
MIT Summer Research Program Intern
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
06.2019 - 07.2019
Summer Engineering Research Fellow
Washington University in St. Louis
05.2018 - 07.2018
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) - Chemical Engineering
University of Texas At Austin
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Texas At Austin
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Kentucky
Selected Publications
- “Dissolved Oxygen Depletion Catalyzed by Amino Acids in Piperazine”, International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2025.
- Chen, X., Cui, Y., Onomura, T., Obute, J.I., Wang, S., Rochelle, G.T. “Effect of Iodide on Diethylenetriamine oxidation”, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Manuscript Submitted