Dr. Isaac N. Beas, Catalysis, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate at Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, Botswana

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🎓Educational Background

Dr. Beas earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Heterogeneous Catalysis from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2013. His thesis, titled “N-doped and B-doped carbon materials and Yolk carbon nanostructures: synthesis, characterisation, and application for heterogeneous catalysis,” explored the synthesis and applications of advanced nanomaterials. His doctoral studies were supervised by Prof. Neil Coville and Prof. R. Meijboom, focusing on oxidation, carbon nanomaterials, and hydrogenation.

He also holds an M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry and Computational Chemistry from the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon (2010), where his thesis examined the thermodynamic solubility of gas oil in organic solvents under the supervision of Prof. Paul Mingo Ghogomu. Dr. Beas completed his B.Sc. in Physical Science at the same institution, with a focus on Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Photochemistry.

💼Working Experience 

Dr. Isaac N. Beas has been serving as a Research Scientist at the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) since July 2017. His research primarily focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, gasification, and pyrolysis, contributing to advancements in materials science for energy and environmental sustainability. He also holds a dual role as a Research Fellow at the University of South Africa (since September 2017), where he supervises students, publishes cutting-edge research, and collaborates with industry to apply his findings to real-world applications.

From May 2013 to June 2017, he worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of South Africa, where he managed projects on carbon materials and nanoparticle catalysts. During this time, he played a critical role in graduating several master’s and Ph.D. students. He also led a major industrial project on reducing sulfur dioxide emissions using gold nanoparticles in partnership with Mintek. Prior to this, Dr. Beas gained valuable experience as a Visiting Researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand (2010–2012), where he conducted research on carbon nanomaterials for catalytic applications.

🔬Research Interests 

Dr. Beas’s research interests lie in catalysis, thermodynamics, Fischer-Tropsch reactions, and kinetics. He has a particular focus on zeolites and silica derived from fly ash, with recent efforts in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into material design and process optimization.

🧑‍🏫Teaching Experience 

Dr. Beas has extensive teaching experience, having taught Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry Practical, and Chemical Quality Assurance at the University of Johannesburg (2012–2014). Earlier in his career, he delivered lectures on Atomistics, Chemical Bonding, and Thermodynamics at the University of Yaoundé I (2001–2003).

👨‍🎓Academic Supervision 

As a committed mentor, Dr. Beas has supervised numerous students, including Tefo Olefile (M.Sc.) on catalytic dehydrogenation and Thabiso Sekai (M.Sc.) on aluminosilicates from coal fly ash. He is currently supervising several Ph.D. students conducting research on zeolite synthesis and silica nanoparticle applications.

📜Appointments 

Dr. Beas has held several prominent academic appointments, including serving as a Moderator for Advanced Inorganic Chemistry at Sol Plaatje University (July 2021) and as an External Examiner for Ph.D. research proposals at Banasthali Vidyapith, India (January 2024). He was also a Guest Speaker at Kirinyaga University, Kenya (May 2023), where he delivered a lecture on the synthesis of dimethyl ether and methanol from CO2.

🌐Professional Memberships 

He is a member of several prestigious scientific societies, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom (since 2010, Member #622502), the Catalysis Society of South Africa (since 2012, Member #110), and the African Materials Research Society (2022–2024).

Publications Top Noted📚

Mechano-synthesis of a AgSrFeO3 catalyst for epoxidation of ethylene in a chemical looping set-up

Authors: Chawangwa Damba; Isaac N. Beas; Mmilili M. Mapolelo; James Darkwa; E. J. Marek

Journal: Materials Advances

Year: 2024

High‐Purity Template‐Free Mesoporous Silica Synthesized FROM Coal Fly Ash

Authors: Thapelo Manyepedza; Emmanuel Gaolefufa; Isaac N. Beas; Moses T. Kabomo; Bakang Modukanele

Journal: ChemistrySelect

Year: 2024

Thermogravimetric-mass spectrometry study of pyrolysis of Botswana-Morupule coal: kinetic parameters determination using iso-conversional and model fitting methods

Authors: Kgalalelo P. Kgatlane; Sebusi Odisitse; Casper Gate; James Darkwa; Isaac N. Beas

Journal: Reaction Kinetics, Mechanisms and Catalysis

Year: 2023

The Transfer Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde Using Homogeneous Cobalt(II) and Nickel(II) (E)-1-(Pyridin-2-yl)-N-(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)methanimine and the Complexes Anchored on Fe3O4 Support as Pre-Catalysts: An Experimental and In Silico Approach

Authors: Fortunate P. Sejie; Olayinka A. Oyetunji; James Darkwa; Isaac N. Beas; Banothile C. E. Makhubela; Nelson Y. Dzade; Nora H. de Leeuw

Journal: Molecules

Year: 2023

Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and Ortho-Toluidine Blue: Activity of Lanthanum Composites LaxMOy (M: Fe, Co, Ni)

Authors: Mmabatho L. Mocwana; Puseletso P. Mokoena; Pontsho S. Mbule; Isaac N. Beas; Guy L. Kabongo; Simon N. Ogugua; Themba E. Tshabalala

Journal: Catalysts

Year: 2022

TiO2@hollow carbon spheres: A photocatalyst for hydrogen generation under visible irradiation

Authors: A. Boudjemaa; I. Nongwe; B.K. Mutuma; B.J. Matsoso; K. Bachari; N.J. Coville

Journal: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry

Year: 2021