Nigerian Researcher Shines in the U.S With Study on Grain Drying Technology

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Josiah Ifeoluwa Ojeniran, a Nigerian engineer and graduate researcher at the University of Arkansas, is gaining growing recognition in the United States for his outstanding work on grain drying technologies and efforts to improve the quality of parboiled rice.

Ojeniran, who earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, has continued to excel academically since beginning his master’s program in Biological Engineering. He currently holds a competitive graduate assistantship and is actively contributing to high-impact research in sustainable food processing systems.

Earlier this month, on November 12–13, he presented his research titled “Performance Assessment of Fluidized Bed Drying System for Enhancing Drying Efficiency and Quality of Parboiled Rice” at the Cereals & Grains Association Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Delivering his first talk at a major U.S. conference, he described the experience as both exciting and deeply rewarding.

Reflecting on the work behind the project, Ojeniran recalled the long nights in the lab running drying experiments on both fluidized bed and conventional systems, adjusting setups repeatedly, and pushing through fatigue. “It wasn’t easy,” he said, “but it taught me patience, persistence, and the small joys of seeing results finally come together.”

A memorable moment during the conference came when Arnaud Dubat remarked that “research is madness,” referencing the well-known quote often attributed to Albert Einstein: “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” For Ojeniran, the words perfectly captured the emotional and intellectual rhythm of scientific discovery.

His dedication has not gone unnoticed. Just last month, on October 3rd, he earned Second Place presenting his research in the Graduate Poster Competition at the ASABE Arkansas Section Meeting.

Ojeniran expressed deep appreciation to those supporting his academic journey: “A huge thank you to my supervisor, Dr. Kaushik Luthra, for his guidance and for pushing me forward even when I felt stuck. I’m also grateful for James Andreas, Samuel Olaoni, Dr. Atungulu’s Lab, Leland Schrader, Dr. Terry A. Howell, the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, the Rice Processing Program, and my lab, AGPRo, for their consistent support.”

He added that this experience reaffirmed an important lesson: the challenges and uncertainties of research are often the stepping stones to discovery—and the journey, with all its struggles and small wins, is just as valuable as the final results.

With his expanding research portfolio, strong academic performance, and recent recognitions, Ojeniran continues to emerge as one of Nigeria’s promising young researchers committed to advancing grain quality, food security, and sustainable processing technologies.