Nigerian Researcher Ayobami Oni Wins Award for Groundwater Study

Ayobami Oni, a Nigerian-born groundwater researcher, was awarded the Blue Integrated Partnerships Extra Mile Award for his significant contributions to water and environmental research during the 2026 Blue Integrated Partnerships Summer Institute in the Caribbean. The award recognized his commitment and exceptional performance in interdisciplinary research that examined rainfall patterns, watershed conditions, and surface-water changes in Puerto Rico and the United States and British Virgin Islands.

Oni's research involved analyzing precipitation trends from 2000 to 2025 using long-term rainfall records and geographic information systems. He also studied the Río Grande de Loíza watershed, utilizing satellite-derived indicators to assess surface-water conditions.

Oni recently completed a Master of Science degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University, where his postgraduate research focused on developing a three-dimensional device to monitor groundwater movement using heat as a tracer. This device aims to enhance understanding of groundwater flow direction and speed, which is crucial for investigating contamination risks.