Meet Olatomide Bamidele Omolere, a UNT chemistry graduate student working in the laboratory of his advisor, Regent Chemistry Professor Dr. Jeffry Kelber. He was one of the recipients of the Dean's Doctoral Summer Research Stipend this year, which is helping him prioritize his doctoral work through the summer months. Olatomide's research focuses on understanding the surface chemistry of germanium, an element employed in several areas such as in the production of plastics, transistors, integrated circuits, optical devices ,wireless communications and phosphors for various industrial uses.

"My passion to tackle the problems faced by semiconductor and microelectronics industries is my inspiration and this project gives me an opportunity to directly collaborate with these industries," said Olatomide. "This research will help us develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of chemical reactions and processes on germanium surfaces."

Olatomide, who received his Bachelor and Master's degrees in chemistry in Nigeria, said that he chose UNT for his graduate studies because of the school's strong reputation in the field of chemistry.

"The university offers an excellent program with knowledgeable faculty members and state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally, UNT provides numerous opportunities for research and collaboration, which align perfectly with my academic and career goals," he said. "The vibrant campus community and supportive learning environment at UNT also attracted me, making it an ideal choice for pursuing my graduate studies."

The Kelber Surface Science Laboratory where Olatomide is conducting his doctoral research is the home of four state-of-the-art multi-technique surface science systems. Of course, there are always challenges and rewards when it comes to working in a research lab.

"My research is primarily done under a vacuum and several things can go wrong, ranging from pump issues or problems with chamber pressure, which can slow the research process," said Olatomide. "But getting good results and knowing my research will be solving real life problems has made the sacrifices and work put into this project very rewarding so far."

Olatomide said he is grateful to his advisor, Dr. Kelber, for helping him develop his research capability and supporting him through his PhD experience, which has helped him understand the value of interdisciplinary collaboration.

"UNT fosters an environment where students from different disciplines can come together, exchange ideas, and work on projects that transcend traditional boundaries. This interdisciplinary approach encourages students to broaden their perspectives, think critically, and develop innovative solutions to complex problems," he said. "Through collaboration with peers and faculty members from diverse backgrounds, students at UNT gain valuable skills in teamwork, adaptability, and creative problem-solving, which are highly beneficial in today's interconnected and dynamic world."

Olatomide said that the Dean's Doctoral Summer Research Stipend is allowing him the time to concentrate on his research over the summer and accelerate his dissertation completion. Help us further support world-changing graduate research at the UNT College of Science by making a donation to this fund today: https://cos.unt.edu/help-support-graduate-research-unt