Nigerian-born researcher Ayobami Oni has received a United States award for his contributions to water and environmental research during a 2026 summer research programme in the Caribbean.

Oni received the Blue Integrated Partnerships Extra Mile Award in recognition of his research contributions and performance during the Blue Integrated Partnerships Summer Institute.

The programme involved interdisciplinary studies of rainfall patterns, watershed conditions and surface-water changes across Puerto Rico and the United States and British Virgin Islands.

As part of the research, participants examined precipitation trends from 2000 to 2025 using long-term rainfall records, geographic information systems and spatial analysis to assess seasonal and annual variations.

Oni also contributed to research in Puerto Rico’s Río Grande de Loíza watershed, where satellite-derived indicators were used to evaluate surface-water conditions, including signs associated with turbidity, suspended sediments and changes in chlorophyll levels.

The award recognized his commitment, research input and ability to make significant contributions to the institute’s research activities.

Oni recently completed a Master of Science degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University in the United States. He previously studied Agricultural Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

His postgraduate research focused on developing a three-dimensional device capable of monitoring groundwater movement by estimating its speed and direction.

The device uses heat as a tracer. A heating element generates a thermal signal, while temperature sensors detect how groundwater carries the heat as it moves past the equipment. Researchers then analyze the resulting temperature differences to estimate the velocity and direction of groundwater flow.

The project combined computational fluid dynamics, sensor technology, electronic systems, laboratory experiments and field testing.

Oni used ANSYS Fluent software to simulate groundwater movement and heat transfer through porous materials. The device also underwent sensor calibration, circuit-board development and data-acquisition testing.

The research progressed from controlled laboratory experiments to testing in groundwater wells, allowing the researcher to assess the device’s performance and identify factors that could affect the accuracy of its measurements.

The technology could help scientists understand the movement of groundwater contaminants by identifying how pollutants travel underground and potentially affect nearby wells and other water sources.

Beyond groundwater research, Oni’s interests include hydrologic modelling, flood behavior, environmental sensing and geospatial analysis. He has also explored the use of machine learning and remote sensing to investigate groundwater pollution.

He believes these technologies could contribute to addressing water-management challenges in Nigeria, where many communities depend on groundwater for domestic use and where water quality, flooding and changing rainfall patterns remain important concerns.

Oni also emphasized the importance of developing water-management technologies that are affordable, practical and easy to maintain, particularly for communities and institutions with limited resources.

He noted that environmental sensors, geographic information systems, satellite remote sensing, hydrologic modelling and artificial intelligence could improve the monitoring, prediction and management of water-related challenges.

According to him, artificial intelligence could help researchers analyze large volumes of environmental data while complementing established engineering principles and physical models of water systems.