Soni Oyekan facts for kids

Soni Olufemi Olubunmi Oyekan is a Nigerian-American chemical engineer, inventor, and author. He is also a mentor and educator.

Oyekan leads Prafis Energy Solutions. This company helps with oil refining and energy. Throughout his career, he has worked on new ideas and managed projects at big oil companies. He holds many patents for his inventions. He has also written a book called Catalytic Naphtha Reforming Process.

Soni Oyekan is a respected member and trustee of the AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers). He has received important awards like the William W. Grimes award and the Percy Lavon Julian Award. He is known for guiding many young professionals in their careers.

Early Life and Education

Soni Oyekan was born in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, on June 1, 1946. He moved to the United States in 1966 to continue his studies. He finished high school in Nigeria before coming to America.

In 1966, Soni received a special scholarship. This scholarship, called ASPAU, helped him study engineering at Yale University. He earned his first degree from Yale in 1970.

After Yale, Soni went to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. There, he earned his Master of Science (MS) degree in 1972. He then completed his doctoral (PhD) degree in chemical engineering in 1977. While studying, he also taught at the University of Pittsburgh.

Career Highlights

Soni Oyekan is the President and CEO of Prafis Energy Solutions. This company, located in Richmond, Texas, offers advice on oil refining and energy. Before starting his own company in 2013, Oyekan made big contributions to chemical engineering.

His inventions help oil companies process crude oil more efficiently. This helps create important products like fuels for cars, heating oil, and gases like propane and butane. His work helps meet the energy needs of people every day.

Dr. Oyekan has over 42 years of experience in petroleum refining. He worked at Exxon from 1977 to 1980. He then worked at Engelhard Corporation and DuPont. In these roles, he led research on new chemical processes. After 1993, he moved into management roles. He worked at Sun Oil Company, BP-Amoco, and Marathon Petroleum Corporation.

Awards and Recognition

Soni Oyekan has received many awards for his work. He is honored for his contributions to oil refining and for mentoring other engineers. He became a Fellow of the AIChE in 1999.

The AIChE recognized him with a Distinguished Service award in 2000. He also received the Fuels and Petrochemicals Division's Distinguished Service award in 2002. In 2008, he was named an Eminent Black Chemical Engineer by the AIChE. That same year, he won the AIChE William W. Grimes award. This award celebrates excellence in chemical engineering and mentoring.

In 2009, Soni Oyekan received the Percy Lavon Julian Award. This is a very important award from the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). It honors scientists for their achievements and dedication. It also recognizes their commitment to educating others.

Oyekan is a member of several honor societies. These include Sigma Xi and Phi Kappa Phi. He is also listed in "Who's Who Among African Americans."

Patents and Publications

Soni Oyekan holds 15 patents, including 5 in the U.S. He has also written over 70 publications. These writings cover many topics in petroleum refining and catalytic systems. He has often shared his knowledge at industry conferences.

He is the author of a book titled Catalytic Naphtha Reforming Process, published in 2018.

Personal Life

Soni Oyekan married Priscilla Ann Parker on June 6, 1970. Priscilla Ann was part of the first group of women to graduate from Yale University in 1973.