Dr. Maria Kaka Etete Enoh
University of Cross River State
Spring 2025
Dr. Maria Kaka Etete Enoh is a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS). A Spring 2025 MIT-ETT Fellow, she is a material scientist focused on Green Construction Materials and the circular economy. Her work addresses the environmental impact of the construction industry by finding eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cement. Her research specializes in Geopolymers—inorganic, ceramic-like materials that can replace Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). She investigates the use of agricultural and industrial waste, such as Rice Husk Ash and Metakaolin (calcined clay), to create high-strength, low-carbon binders. Her recent work on “Sodium Silicate to Hydroxide Ratios” has provided critical insights into optimizing the structural integrity of these eco-cements for use in Nigerian housing. Dr. Enoh holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Uyo, and a Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Sheffield, UK. This combination of Nigerian and British education informs her approach to “Appropriate Technology,” where she seeks to apply advanced material science principles to locally available resources. As a current MIT-ETT fellow, she is working to redesign the Mechanical Engineering curriculum at UNICROSS to include Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) and sustainable design. She aims to train a new generation of engineers who not only build structures but also consider their long-term environmental footprint, bridging the gap between traditional mechanical engineering and modern environmental stewardship.
