Olawumi Oluwafolakemi Sadare

Dr. Olawumi Oluwafolakemi Sadare is a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University. Her research focuses on sustainable membrane technologies, biomass valorisation, and the development of innovative biorefinery strategies for clean water, renewable energy, and circular bioeconomy applications.

She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, an M.Tech in Chemical Engineering with distinction from the University of South Africa, and a B.Tech (Hons) in Chemical Engineering. Before joining Aston, she held prestigious research fellowships and associate positions at the Universities of Bath, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Witwatersrand. Notably, she was awarded the Royal Society Newton International Fellowship (2023–2025) and the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship (2017).

Dr. Sadare has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals including ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Scientific Reports, and Membranes. She has also filed a patent on sustainable nanofiltration membranes (2024). Her research outputs with an h-index of 15 (As of August 2025), reflects her growing international recognition and impact

An experienced educator, Dr. Sadare has taught across chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and supervised MSc and PhD students. She has also secured competitive grants from bodies such as the South African National Research Foundation, the Water Research Commission, and the UK’s National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE).

Her work strongly aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 6, 7, 9, and 12, advancing sustainable chemical engineering solutions that address global challenges in water, energy, and resource efficiency. 

Dr Sadare has demonstrated a sustained commitment to public engagement, reaching an audience of over 10,000 through schools and festivals, sparking curiosity about membrane science and inspiring the next generation to get involved.

I am interested in developing sustainable membrane and biorefinery technologies to address global challenges in clean water provision, renewable energy, and circular bioeconomy. My research focuses on designing advanced polymeric and bio-based membranes, valorising lignocellulosic biomass, and transforming waste streams into high-value biochemicals and biomaterials, thereby contributing to a net zero future.

My current work centres on manufacturing sustainable polyelectrolyte membranes for liquid separation, integrating bio-based materials such as lignin and cellulose nanocrystals with advanced processing techniques. By combining green solvents, clean energy inputs, and molecular-level understanding of biomass–polymer interactions, I aim to optimise membrane performance for water purification and resource recovery. Beyond water, my research also explores bio-based succinic acid production, adsorptive desulfurisation, and nanocellulose-enhanced membranes for wastewater treatment.

My research aligns strongly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), advancing sustainable materials innovation for environmental protection, carbon reduction, and waste minimisation.

CE1ITP – Introduction to Transfer Processes

CE2PRD – Process Design

CE3APD – Advanced Process Design

CE4PRJ – Research Project

Affiliate member: Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) 

Member: Royal Society of Chemistry

Associate member: South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE)

Member: International Association of Engineers (IAENG)

Member: Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, OWSD International

Email: [email protected]

Office room: MB124