University of North Texas 
Dr. Precious Chukwunenye earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from UNT in 2023 and now works as a Process Engineer at Lam Research.
Meet UNT alumna Dr. Precious Chukwunenye! She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from UNT
in 2023 and now works as a Process Engineer at Lam Research, a global supplier of semiconductor fabrication equipment and services. In her current
role, Dr. Chukwunenye develops and optimizes thin-film deposition processes used in
semiconductor manufacturing, with a focus on process innovation, troubleshooting,
and yield enhancement for chip production.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the semiconductor industry,” said Dr. Chukwunenye,
who completed her undergraduate studies in Industrial Chemistry at the Federal University
of Technology in Nigeria. “I was amazed that such incredibly small yet complex chips
power our electronic devices. I knew I wanted to be part of that world somehow.”
This curiosity ultimately led her to join Dr. Jeffry Kelber’s research group at UNT,
where she explored thin-film deposition techniques and their potential applications
in advanced technologies. “My Ph.D. research laid the foundation for my career in
the semiconductor industry,” she said. During her doctoral studies, Dr. Chukwunenye conducted interdisciplinary research
focused on designing metal oxide and oxynitride catalysts for electrocatalytic nitrogen
reduction. Working under the joint mentorship of Professors Jeffry Kelber (Surface
Science), Francis D’Souza (Electrochemistry) and Thomas Cundari (Computational Chemistry),
and supported by funding from the National Science Foundation, this research resulted
in more than ten peer-reviewed publications in reputable scientific journals.
Now at Lam Research, she continues to pursue research that translates directly into
real-world applications. “UNT equipped me with a strong foundation in surface science,
thin-film deposition, and advanced characterization methods—all of which are essential
to semiconductor process engineering,” she said. “Working in Dr. Kelber’s lab gave
me invaluable hands-on experience in thin-film synthesis and analytical techniques.”
While at UNT, Dr. Chukwunenye was honored with the Ed and Julia Hodges Scholarship
from 2021 to 2023, which recognizes graduate students for exceptional academic performance
and research achievements. Reflecting on this award, she shared, “The recognition
was incredibly motivating—it affirmed that my work was meaningful and inspired me
to keep pushing forward in my studies.” Looking ahead, her long-term goal is to deepen
her expertise in thin-film process development and to advance next-generation semiconductor
technologies through innovative deposition techniques.
“I’m deeply grateful to the UNT Chemistry Department and especially to Dr. Kelber
for his mentorship during my graduate studies,” she said. “The graduate students in
our group were also instrumental in my growth. They mentored me in both research and
job preparation, creating a collaborative environment that helped me thrive beyond
academia. I’m proud to represent UNT alumni at Lam Research and hope to inspire current
students to explore pathways from research to industry.”
Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Chukwunenye enjoys cooking dishes inspired
by her Nigerian heritage, reading fiction, and mentoring students interested in STEM
careers.
Her advice to aspiring professionals is clear: “Master the fundamentals of your research
and develop transferable skills. Engage actively with your research group, seek out
cross-disciplinary collaborations, and importantly, connect with someone further along
in your desired career path. Ask thoughtful questions and learn from their experience—it
can offer clarity and help you avoid common pitfalls.”
We love hearing from our alumni! Whether you're a recent College of Science graduate or an established alum, you're invited to fill out this form to share your favorite memories of UNT, shout out to a professor or staff member, or let us in on the latest news and your biggest achievements since graduation!