Mr Henry Olakunle
Assistant Lecturer | Lecturer I
Faculty of Physical Science ยท Department of Physics
Specialization Condensed Matter Physics
Office: 63 Ayo-Alabi Street, Ogba, Lagos
Phone: 07086360762
Email: support.putme@fuoye.edu.ng
Biography
Dr. Alex M. Thornton is a dedicated Physics Lecturer in the Department of Physical Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Science & Technology. His teaching philosophy bridges theoretical principles with hands-on laboratory inquiry. Dr. Thornton has authored 12 peer-reviewed publications and has supervised over 15 undergraduate research projects. He is passionate about using computational simulations to teach quantum mechanics and has received the "Excellence in STEM Teaching" award (2023). When not in the lab or lecture hall, he develops low-cost experimental kits for high schools.
Research Interests
Computational modelling of 2D materials (Graphene & Transition Metal Dichalcogenides); Optoelectronic properties of semiconducting thin films; Physics education research (active learning strategies).
Qualifications
- Ph.D., University of Science & Technology (2019)
- B.Sc. (Hons), State University (2015)
Selected Publications
- Defect-induced band gap renormalization in monolayer WS2: A DFT study.
Authors: Thornton, A. M., & K. Okonkwo.
Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 36(12), 125701 (2024)
Awards
- Excellence in STEM Teaching Award - Faculty of Science (2023)
Grants
- University Research Seed Grant - Simulating Defects in Monolayer MoS2 (2025) - Amount: USD 8,000.00
Total Grant: 8,000.00
Scholarship
- Presidential Doctoral Fellowship - Full tuition + stipend (2019)
Prizes
- Best Oral Presentation Prize - National Physics Conference (2022)
Membership of Professional Bodies
- American Physical Society (APS) - Member (2019)
Paper Presentation - Local
- Optical Properties of Defective TMDs - Annual National Physics Symposium, Lagos (2023)
Paper Presentation - International
- Strain Engineering in Graphene/hBN Heterostructures - MRS Fall Meeting, Boston, USA (2023)
Postgraduate Ph.D Supervision
- Dolapo Lawal - Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanorods for UV Detection (2022)
Postgraduate M.Phil Supervision
- Faith Michel - Monte Carlo Simulation of Magnetic Phase Transitions in Ising Models (2023)
Postgraduate M.Sc Supervision
- Tirinity Mival - A Comparative Study of DFT Functionals for Perovskite Solar Cells (2024)
Undergraduate Project Supervision
- Olakunle Mide - Analysis of solar cell efficiency under varying illumination (2018)
Course Teaching
- PHYS 405 - Computational Physics (Python) (Spring 2023, 2024)
- PHYS 450 - Solid State Physics (Fall 2021, 2023)