Prof Michael Daramola holds a BSc(Hons) degree and a MSc degree in Chemical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, a MSc degree in Biotechnology from Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands, and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Stellenbosch University. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Higher Education) from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. Over the course of his academic career, he was an Assistant Lecturer at College of Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture, Nigeria, Assistant Lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, an Associate Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, and conducted experimental work at the University of Lyon, France. He is also a chartered Chemical Engineer (C.Eng.) with the UK Engineering Council, a Registered Engineer with the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), a C-rated researcher by the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), and a member of some 12 professional bodies. Prof Daramola’s extensive experience in teaching and research, spanning more than 15 years, coupled with the international exposure that he has acquired, has sharpened his professional growth and development as a researcher and a lecturer. For the next step in his career, Prof Daramola chose the University of Pretoria (UP), where he believes he can add value and grow with the institution.

Prof Daramola’s primary research focus lies in chemical and bioprocess engineering focusing on nanomaterials (nanoparticles and nanocomposites) and their applications. In bioresource engineering, he applies chemical and biotechnology concepts to develop chemical, biochemical or biotechnological strategies and processes for treatment and valorization of waste materials into value-added products. His research has a two-fold focus on achieving a balance between fundamental research and industrial application aimed at proffering solutions to various problems mitigating sustainable energy and clean environment in South Africa, Africa and the world at large. Prof Daramola has completed several certified training programmes in a wide range of fields, which has enhanced is research quality and productivity, and which has inspired his multidisciplinary approach to solving problems. 

He has authored/co-authored more than 120 journal articles in high impact journals, produced two patents, delivered more than 60 oral and poster presentations at national and international conferences, and contributed 42 referred conference proceedings, 15 book chapters and two edited books. He has also served on the committees of several international conferences. Prof Daramola is dedicated to communicating research findings and advances in the field of nanomaterials, nanotechnology and bioresource engineering. Currently, he also serves as an Associate Editor of Chemical Engineering Communications and an Editorial Board member of The Open Chemical Engineering Journal. 

In his efforts to contribute to human capacity development, Prof Daramola has mentored six postdoctoral fellows, and supervised to completion 11 PhD candidates, 21 MSc candidates and six Postgraduate Diploma students. He has contributed significantly to engineering teaching and learning, as well as curriculum development in engineering. His scholarly contribution to teaching and learning in engineering education (three referred conference proceedings and five oral presentations) is commendable, as such contributions are uncommon among academics in engineering. In accordance with his passion for developing future leaders in engineering, Prof Daramola is a seasoned adjudicator for the L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Regional Fellowships for Sub-Saharan Africa since 2017.

Prof Daramola’s awards and recognitions include the following:

• A finalist for the 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 Awards in TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher category and in Engineering Research Capacity Development Award category 
• Award for the best visual presentation at the 27^th European Biomass and Exhibition Conference, EUBCE2019, 27‒30 May, 2019, Lisbon, Portugal
• Award for seminar presentation at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria 
• Award for seminar presentation at the Kwara State University, Nigeria
• First-time Inventor Award, Wits Enterprise, Wits University, South Africa 
• Claude Leon Postdoctoral Fellowship award, South Africa 
• Nature Publishing Group travel grants award for Gordon Research Conference, USA
• Best Oral Presentation award, CEMEPE 2009/SECOTOX Conference, Greece
• ANSTI overseas conference grants award, Africa 
• French Embassy grants award for doctoral training in France 
• NUFFIC Scholar for postgraduate study in Netherlands 

In his personal life, Prof Daramola enjoys reading, watching movies and playing with his two sons. He is motivated by Philippians 4:13, which reads that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. He hopes to see the African continent as a giant in science and technology, with adequate knowledge and human capacity to proffer solutions to problems mitigating socio-political issues, sustainable energy and environment.