DR. THOMAS OCHUKU MBUYA

Senior Lecturer and Chairman, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Office: Engineering Bloack, Room E312 and Room E402
Telephone: +254 (020) 4913527
Email address: tmbuya@uonbi.ac.ke

Academic Background:
- PhD in Engineerng Materials (2012) Engineering Materials Group, Engineering, University of Southampton, UK
- MSc in Mechanical Engineering (Industrial Engineering Option) (2003) - University of Nairobi
- BSc in Mechanical Engineering (1997) – University of Nairobi

Research Interests
Evaluation of failure mechanisms in Engineering materials and structures, development of effective metal recycling methodologies and assessing safety in manufacturing industries. His current research activities involve the following:
- Development of novel plastic waste based composite materials for low cost construction.
- Value addition to agricultural residue through production of synthetic gas and geopolymers: Improved technology development and system optimization.
- Additive manufacturing of carbon fibre reinforced polymers for biomedical applications
- Design of low cost machinery for applications in construction and farming activities
- Development of high performance secondary cast aluminium alloys: Microstructural engineering through understanding the role of minor elements process optimization
- Performance based approach to design of concrete mixes for durable reinforced concrete structures
- Assessment of clay-polymer composite adsorbents for water defluoridation.
- Laser beam welding of high strength low alloy steel

Dr Mbuya has published over 30 peer reviewed scientific articles and participated in several local and international conferences, seminars or workshops.

Teaching specialization:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Materials Processing and Production Engineering
- Engineering Design

Awards and Recognitions
- UON@50 Outstanding Achievers Award for Academic Excellence at the College of Architecture and Engineering - 2021
- Awarded the Commonwealth Rutherford Fellowship – 2018/2019
- Awarded a PhD scholarship by the Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS) – 2008

Internal and External Responsibilities
- April 2019 to Date: Chairman, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
- April 2019 to Date: Member, University of Nairobi Senate
- Nov. 2014 to Date: Member and Chairman of the Steel and Aluminium Products Technical Committee of Kenya Bureau of Standards
- Jan to Feb 2021: Member, UON Strategic Plan 2018-2023 Mid-Term Review Committee
- Oct 26th 2020 to Nov 6th 2020: Ag. Dean School of Engineering
- March 2011 to July 2012: Editorial Assistant, Materials Science and Engineering A - Published by Elsevier ltd.

Professional Memberships & Research Networks:
- Member, Materials Research Society (MRS)
- Member, African Materials Science and Engineering Network (AMSEN). a consortium of material science experts across several African countries dedicated towards promoting training high calibre African Material Scientists to MSc and PhD.
- Member, African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence in Materials, Energy and Nanotechnology (ARUA CoE-MEN)

Funded Projects
- 2020 to 2023 (Ongoing). National Research Fund (NRF). Multidisciplinary Research Grant. Kshs. 19,930,000. Project: Development of novel construction materials and energy generation systems that make use of selected agricultural waste. Co-Investigator (PI: Dr Siphila Mumenya)
- 2018-2021 (Ongoing). National Research Fund (NRF). Multidisciplinary Research Grant. Kshs. 6.1 million. Project: Cyclic Economy Inspired Product Innovations (Eco-Construct). Co-Investigator (PI: Prof George Rading)
- 2018-2019 (Completed). NRF Newton Utafiti Fund Institutional Links Bilateral Research Grant. Kshs.13.8 million. Project: Innovative Composite roofing/pavement Product Development Through Blending of Plastic Waste & Quarry By-Products. Grants Awarded | British Council. Co-Investigator (PIs: Prof George Radinf and Prof Philippa Reed)
- 2017-2021 (Ongoing): Design and fabrication of a small scale stone crushing machine. In collaboration with Dr Mutuku Muvengei (JKUAT). Funded up to Kshs 3.8 million (USD 38,000) for 3 years. Co-Investigator (PI: Dr Onesmus Muvengei)
- 2017 (Ongoing) Design and fabrication of a pedal powered concrete mixer. This project is funded by the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) – Kshs 400,000 (USD 4000). Principal Investigator
- 2016-2021 (Ongoing) Development of recycle-friendly cast aluminium alloys for automotive and structural applications. Funded up to Kshs 4 million (USD 40,000). In collaboration with Dr Bruno Mose of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT). Co-Investigator (PI: Dr Bruno Mose)