April 13 - 16, 2026
Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel
Nairobi, Kenya
Registration Instructions
Payment options
Method One (University payment portal)
Select Register Here on this site. You will be redirected to the university payment portal. Choose Non-student Payment to proceed.
Required fields (for Method One):
- Company NameYour university
- Contact NameYour full name
- Payment PurposeUS-Africa Conference
- Invoice Number376537-33333
- NCSU Contact NameMartin Thuo
- NCSU DepartmentMSE
- Payment AmountEnter the registration fee
Method Two (M-Pesa)
For those who want to pay via M-Pesa, send it to either of these numbers:
-
Phone number: +254 713 722 451
Name: Martin Mwangi -
Phone number: +254 714 875 014
Name: Daisy Kiptoo
Note: Please use the most current USD to KES exchange rate for your payment. A quick Google search on the day you pay will give you the most accurate rate to use.
Submit and confirm
Submit your payment, then email a confirmation so we can verify your registration.
Email Martin Thuo or Daisy Kiptoo.
Conference Organization
Co-Chairs
About the Conference
This premier event connects U.S., African, and global experts, fostering new approaches in nanotechnology and engineered environments through frugal science convergent problem-solving. Co-organised by leading universities and the Africa Material Research Society, the conference features optional cultural excursions and international exchange.
Optional cultural excursions
Enjoy an afternoon at the Nairobi National Park or at the Museum next door!
Key Features & Themes
- Complex Geo- and Nano-particles
- Frugal Science, Engineering & Innovation
- Sustainable Bio-derived Nanomaterials
- Water & Air Quality Monitoring
- Advanced Materials & Devices
- Nanotechnology for Energy, Agriculture & Sustainability
- Special Session: Cognitive Diverse Problem Solving
Why Attend?
- Build bridges for global nanoscience research and workforce development.
- Experience innovative, frugal approaches to solving real-world problems.
- Network with leaders in STEM from Africa, the U.S., and beyond.
Conference Program
Science in the Savannah Conference
Working draft (times/titles may change).
Monday • Apr 13, 2026
2:00 p.m. EAT • Room: TBD • Chairs: Prof. Johan Foster & Prof. Martin Thuo
| 1:45 | Welcome & Introduction — Prof. Johan Foster / Martin Thuo |
| 1:55 | Overview of the US‑Africa Conference & US Nanoscience — (TBD) |
| 2:15 | Plenary Archana Luximon |
| 2:55 | Keynote Prof. Michael Bortner — Additive Manufacturing |
| 3:25 | Prof. Justus Ndukaife — (Title TBD) |
| 3:50 | Dr. Laetitia — (TBD) |
| 4:15 | Dr. Dennis Karanja — Beyond particles into architecture |
| 4:30 | Panel — Interdisciplinarity in Nanoengineering, Particles & the Environment |
Tuesday • Apr 14, 2026
Chairs: Dr. Elena Della Valle & Dr. Dennis Karanja
| 8:00 | Keynote Yahya Choonara — (Title TBD) |
| 8:30 | Keynote Desmond Klenam — Metal Processing |
| 9:00 | Plenary Prof. Christoph Weder — Polymers |
| 9:50 | Martin Seifrid — (TBD) |
| 10:15 | Student Flash Talk — Naji Majoud — Hydrophobic fibers for oil‑water separation |
| 10:35 | Break |
| 10:45 | Elena Della Valle — COMPASS overview & collaborative initiatives (20 min + Q&A) |
| 11:10 | (TBD) |
| 11:35 | (TBD) |
| 12:00 | Prof. Jackson Muthengia — Self‑healing cement |
| 12:25 | Keynote Dr. Moses Thiga |
| 12:55 | Lunch (Hang Posters) |
Afternoon • Chairs: Martin Thuo & Alana Jones
| 2:00 | Plenary Prof. Nicholas Kotov — Nanoscale networks & design using Graph Theory |
| 2:50 | Keynote Prof. Paul Bogdan — AI/ML and Graph Theory |
| 3:20 | Keynote Prof. Orlin Velev — Complex branched particles |
| 3:50 | Prof. Johan Foster — Production & application of nanocellulose |
| 4:15 | Dr. Devesh Bekah — (Title TBD) |
| 4:40 | Panel Discussion / Audience Q&A / Wrap‑Up — Moderated by Martin Thuo |
| 5:00 | Poster Session |
| 6:00 |
Wednesday • Apr 15, 2026
Chairs: Ludovico Cademartiri & Victor Odari
| 8:00 | Keynote Christian Nijhuis — Molecular Electronics |
| 8:30 | Keynote Prof. Shelley Claridge — (Title TBD) |
| 9:00 | Plenary Prof. Paul S. Weiss — (Title TBD) |
| 9:50 | Sudipta Seal — (Title TBD) |
| 10:15 | Student Flash Talk — Washihira (U. Tohoku) — (Title TBD) |
| 10:35 | Coffee Break |
| 10:45 | Ludovico Cademartiri — (Title TBD) |
| 11:10 | Nicholas Musyoka — (Title TBD) |
| 11:35 | Edwin Fohtung — X‑rays |
| 12:00 | Sho Fujii — Photothermal microbubbles (Laser Processing) |
| 12:25 | (TBD) |
| 12:50 | Lunch |
Afternoon • Chairs: (TBD)
| 2:00 | Keynote Debashis Chanda |
| 2:30 | Keynote Christian Dimpka |
| 3:00 | Dr. Alana Jones — Frugal 1D, 2D & 3D materials via self‑assembly |
| 3:25 | (TBD) |
| 3:50 | (TBD) |
| 4:15 | (TBD) |
| 4:40 | Student Flash Talk — Kody Whisnant |
| 5:00 | Poster Session |
Thursday • Apr 16, 2026
Chairs: Victor Odari & (TBD)
| 8:00 | Keynote Dr. Samuel Chigome |
| 8:30 | Keynote Prof. Abdoulaye Ndao — Optics |
| 9:00 | Keynote Prof. Michael Schulz |
| 9:30 | Dr. Dorah Muthee — (Title TBD) |
| 9:55 | (TBD) |
| 10:20 | Student Flash Talk — Daisy Kiptoo |
| 10:45 | Break |
| 11:00 | Student Flash Talk — Sangwok Bae |
| 11:20 | Prof. Martin Thuo — Frugal Science & Cognitive Diversity |
| 11:50 | Closing ceremony — Martin Thuo, Elena Della Valle & Johan Foster |
| 12:00 | End |
Parallel workshops (provisional):
- Complex Particles and Graph Theory Workshop — Dickson & Daisy
- Building a science enterprise — Bill Adamowski
Plenary Speakers
Distinguished Professor at UCLA and founding Editor-in-Chief of ACS Nano, recognized for pioneering work in nanoscience and molecular assembly.
Irving Langmuir Distinguished University Professor at the University of Michigan, known for biomimetic nanostructures, self-assembly, and nature-inspired advanced materials.
Professor of Polymer Chemistry and Materials at the Adolphe Merkle Institute (University of Fribourg), focusing on functional polymers including stimuli-responsive and bio-inspired materials.
Archana Bhaw-Luximon, is a Professor of Biomaterials Engineering and Nanomedicine and Head, Center for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR) (University of Mauritius). Her focus is on the use of nanobiotechnology for human, plant and environmental health.
Call for Abstracts
Session titles are listed in the Tentative Agenda. Please use this information to pre-select up to three sessions where you believe your work fits best.
Abstracts (one page maximum) that include specific results and conclusions to allow a scientific assessment of the proposed oral presentation are invited.
Abstracts must be submitted electronically
Oral abstract submission deadline: No More Submissions Allowed
Poster abstract submission deadline: No More Submissions Allowed
Abstracts of all presentations will be made available to conference participants prior to the start of the conference.
Note: Only a limited number of oral presentation slots are available and thus all submissions for oral sessions will be considered for both oral and poster presentation.
Poster Presenter Guidelines
Poster dimensions: 1.0 meter wide x 1.5 meter high (portrait style)
Poster Preparation Guidelines [DOC]
Keynote Speakers
Professor and innovator in colloid and soft matter science, advancing programmable particle assemblies and microbot technologies.
Professor Yahya Choonara is internationally recognized as an outstanding global pharmaceutical scientist working at the forefront of producing advanced life-saving 21st century medicines that have an impact on global health in infectious, hereditary and lifestyle diseases.
Dr. Moses M. Thiga, Director of ICT at Egerton University and Founder of the Savannah Digital Research Institute, holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems and has extensive experience in ICT strategy, project management, and policy development.
Professor of Chemical Engineering focused on polymer composites, additive manufacturing, and structure–property optimization.
Professor of Nanomaterials Division, Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovati
Jack Munushian Early Career Chair and Associate Professor at USC Viterbi, working at the intersection of AI/ML, complex systems, and cyber-physical systems.
Chair of Hybrid Materials for OptoElectronics at the MESA+ Institute, University of Twente (bio text placeholder — update when ready).
Desmond Klenam is currently an Assistant Professor in Physical Metallurgy and Material Science at the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Polymer chemist developing functional materials that interact with viruses, toxins, metals, and ionizing radiation.
Assistant Professor (ECE), UC San Diego; leads the NDAO Lab on nanophotonics, integrated optics, and device prototyping.
Conference Fees and Registration
The conference fee includes: conference registration, accommodations (nights of Monday, April 13; Tuesday, April 14; and Wednesday, April 15, with check-out on Thursday, April 16) and coffee breaks.
ALL PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE AND INVITED SPEAKERS) ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER.
The conference fees are:
| Registrants | Conference + Accommodation | Conference + Accommodation (Africans) | Conference Only | Conference Only (Africans) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students | US $600 | US $500 | US $350 | US $300 |
| Regular | US $700 | US $550 | US $400 | US $350 |
