Dr. Leah Nyangasi

Position: Lecturer

Department: Natural Sciences (Chemistry)

Specialisation: Inorganic catalysts for synthetic industrial reactions; coordination and organometallic complexes; nanomaterials for clean and sustainable chemical conversion

Email: lnyangasi@cuea.edu

Dr. Leah Nyangasi is a distinguished scholar with expertise in inorganic catalysts for synthetic industrial reactions and is a lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. She earned her PhD from Kenyatta University, completing part of it through a sandwich programme at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. She is a member of the Kenya Chemical Society (KCS), the Royal Society of Chemists (RSC), and the African Material Research Society (AMRS). Her research interests are in developing inorganic catalysts from coordination and organometallic complexes to N-dimensional and nano-materials pivotal to clean and sustainable chemical conversion processes for producing fuels and chemicals. She has authored several publications.

Research interests: Dr. Leah Nyangasi earned her PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from Kenyatta University (Kenya) with a Sandwich Program at the University of Johannesburg (South Africa). She is a member of prestigious professional organizations including the Kenya Chemical Society (KCS), Royal Society of Chemists (RSC), and African Material Research Society (AMRS).; Development of Inorganic Catalysts from Coordination and Organometallic Complexes; N-dimensional and Nanomaterials for Clean and Sustainable Chemical Conversion Processes; Production of Fuels and Chemicals; Dr. Leah Nyangasi is a distinguished inorganic chemist whose research focuses on developing advanced catalytic systems for sustainable chemistry. Her work on palladium-modified TiO2 nanofiber catalysts has contributed significantly to the field of carbon-carbon coupling reactions, particularly Heck reactions, which are fundamental in organic synthesis.; Her research on electrospun titania nanofibers addresses critical environmental challenges, demonstrating the potential of these nanomaterials to remove organic dyes and pesticides from contaminated water. This work has important implications for water purification and environmental remediation in developing countries.; Dr. Nyangasi's expertise in electrospinning techniques, particularly her work on pump-free setups, has advanced the accessibility and practicality of nanofiber production. Her published book on synthesized Pd-TiO2 nanoparticles in Heck reactions represents a comprehensive contribution to the field.; Her earlier work on anti-plasmodial activity of plant extracts demonstrates her interdisciplinary approach, bridging inorganic chemistry with medicinal applications and contributing to the scientific validation of traditional malaria therapies.

Nyangasi, D. L. (2020). Evaluation of synthesized Pd-TiO2 nanoparticles in Heck reactions.

Nyangasi, D. L. (2020). Capacities and Efficiencies of Electrospun Titania Nanofibers in Removing Organic Dyes and Pesticides from Contaminated Water.

Nyangasi, D. L. (2018). Processing parameters for electrospinning poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/titanium propoxide in a pump-free setup. https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/cqjnm

Nyangasi, D. L. (2017). Preparation and Characterization of Pd Modified TiO2 Nanofiber Catalyst for Carbon–Carbon Coupling Heck Reaction. Journal of Nanomaterials. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8290892

Nyangasi, D. L. (2009). In vitro anti-plasmodial activity and toxicity assessment of plant extracts used in traditional malaria therapy in the Lake Victoria region. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02762009000500004