A NIGERIAN researcher, Obinwanne Bosah, has been selected to receive the prestigious Corning Endowed Doctoral Fellowship for the 2026–2027 academic year in recognition of his outstanding academic excellence, innovative research in clean energy systems, and strong potential for real-world impact in materials science.
Bosah, a Ph.D candidate at the Florida A&M University–Florida State University College of Engineering in the United States, was recognised for his contributions to advancing the understanding of durability in electrochemical energy systems, particularly fuel cells and electrolyzers.

The Corning Endowed Doctoral Fellowship is a highly competitive programme designed to support graduate students pursuing advanced studies in engineering and related disciplines, with emphasis on innovation, scientific merit, and practical applications.
Bosah began his academic journey at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, where he graduated with upper honours in Chemical Engineering.

During his undergraduate studies, he completed a senior design project on chlorine production via catalytic oxidation of hydrogen chloride, modelled using ASPEN software — an experience he said shaped his research philosophy.
“That project taught me that rigorous modelling can reveal opportunities that laboratory intuition might overlook, and that elegant solutions often emerge at the intersection of theory and practice,” Bosah said.

He later worked as a Process Engineer at Notore Chemical Industries for two years before proceeding to the United States for his doctoral studies.
At FAMU-FSU, Bosah conducts research on membrane electrode assemblies in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers, focusing on how catalyst layers, ionomer networks, interfaces and operating conditions influence long-term performance.

Working under Dr. Eric, his research explores the coupled chemomechanical mechanisms responsible for degradation in electrochemical systems, with the goal of improving durability and efficiency.
His recent work on the use of distribution of relaxation times to guide equivalent circuit modelling of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was published in the internationally renowned journal Electrochimica Acta.

Bosah’s laboratory is also collaborating with leading U.S.-based clean energy firms, pH Matter and Power to Hydrogen, to investigate catalyst application methods and their impact on long-term performance of fuel cells and electrolyzers.
Speaking on his motivation, Bosah said his research is driven by a desire to address global energy challenges, particularly in underserved regions.

“Growing up in Nigeria exposed me to the realities of energy poverty. Clean energy must not be a luxury. My work aims to make these technologies more reliable and accessible worldwide,” he said.
He added that his long-term goal is to pursue postdoctoral research and transition into academia, where he hopes to establish an interdisciplinary laboratory focused on fuel cell and electrolyzer durability, while mentoring the next generation of engineers.

Bosah also plans to expand his rural STEM tutoring initiative through virtual platforms to support students in underserved communities.
He expressed optimism that the fellowship would provide opportunities to collaborate with industry scientists and contribute to advancements in clean hydrogen technologies and materials engineering.

The fellowship offers recipients recognition for academic excellence, support for impactful research, and access to industry collaborations aligned with Corning Incorporated’s strategic focus areas.