Dr. Richard Onyancha specializes in manufacturing, solid mechanics and metrology. He recently spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar working at Zambia's Copperbelt University, helping the university review its engineering curricula, mentoring younger faculty members, assisting with the writing of several research proposals, and developing relationships with local industries. A native of Kenya, Dr. Onyancha was previously a managing consultant for MEACEOM Consultants and a design engineer for the Kenyan government's Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Physical Planning. He has helped organize summer field studies adventures throughout Kenya and a Faculty Without Borders visit to Kenya to promote the development of alternative light sources. He co-founded the institute's Independent Projects and Research Opportunities Program.
Academic Degrees
- PhD, University of New Hampshire, 2007
- MS, Brunel University, London, 1990
- BS, University of Nairobi, Kenya, 1987
Awards and Honors
Publications & Presentations
- Siame, J., Onyancha, R. M., Musonda, K., Muwina, L., Nyimbili, W., Chilala, K., Akinyi, B., Munthali, W. and Ng’andu, H., “A Review of Engineering Education in Zambia for the 21st Century: Historical, Current and Future Trends Part I,” Proceedings of the 2016 EIZ Conference and Annual General Meeting: Achieving Sustainable Industrialization,” Livingstone, Zambia, 2016
- Chilala, K. B., Onyancha, R. M. and Akinyi, B.C., “Solar Home Systems In Zambia: Comparative Study with Kenya and Nepal,” Proceedings of the 2016 EIZ Conference and Annual General Meeting: Achieving Sustainable Industrialization,” Livingstone, Zambia, 2016
- Muwina, L. and Onyancha, R. M., “Zambia Women in Engineering Section (ZWES): A Strategy to Achieving a World-Class Diverse Engineering Profession,” Proceedings of the 2016 EIZ Conference and Annual General Meeting: Achieving Sustainable Industrialization,” Livingstone, Zambia, 2016
- Onyancha, R.M., “Engineering Training at the Copperbelt University: Engaging with Industrial Stakeholders,” Copperbelt Mining: Trade Expo and Conference, Kitwe, Zambia, 2015
- Chann, M.N., Wuertemberger, L. and Onyancha, R. M., “Investigation and Comparison of the Micro and Macro-Tensile Properties of Brass (CuZn30),” Proceedings of the 2011 ASME/SME/JSME Manufacturing Research Conference, Corvallis, Ore., 2011
- Onyancha, R., Derov, M. and Kinsey, B. L., “Improvements in Spatial Ability as a Result of Targeted Training and Computer-Aided Design Software Use: Analyses of Object Geometries and Rotation Types,” Journal of Engineering Education, Vol. 98(2), 157-167, 2009
- Onyancha, R. M., Derov, M. and Kinsey, B. L., “The Anatomy of Spatial Ability Improvement Over the Course of a Semester Long Computer Aided Design Class,” Proceedings of the 2008 American Society of Engineering Education Conference, Pittsburgh, 2008
Research Experiences
- Engineering education
- Micro-manufacturing
- Spatial visualization skills
Teaching Interests
- Solid mechanics
- System dynamics
- Manufacturing
- Computer-aided design
- Mechanical experimentation
- Measurements