NE North Dakota News

Eugene Oga, a doctoral student in the University of North Dakota’s Department of Chemistry, traces his interest in science back to an early childhood incident. "When I was a baby, I broke a glass and I was punished for that," he recalled. "I asked a question: Was it my fault that the person did not make the glass strong? That’s just where everything started."

Oga's journey from Cameroon to North Dakota involved navigating challenges both at home and abroad. While studying at the University of Buea in Southwest Cameroon, his education was interrupted by the Anglophone Crisis of 2016, which resulted in teacher strikes and student protests. “They stopped studies for that year. Like most of my friends, we left school and went back home,” he said. “But I told myself I had to go back and finish.” With encouragement from a mentor, he completed his degree in 2020.

Graduate study in the United States became possible after connecting with a UND-trained professor in Cameroon. Oga applied to several programs and chose UND based on its track record with Cameroonian chemistry students. He arrived at UND on August 13, 2022.

His first experiences in North Dakota were challenging; he was stranded overnight due to weather and faced long walks to campus before learning about local transportation options. Support from UND’s Angel Fund helped him secure housing closer to campus. “It wasn’t easy — honestly — but the community was kind,” Oga said.

At UND, Oga shifted his focus from materials chemistry to analytical chemistry under co-advisors Alena Kubatova and Evgueni Kozliak. "They understood my background and tailored my research within analytical chemistry to the direction I initially wanted to go," he said. "That’s why my work focuses on analytical method development and its applications." He describes analytical chemistry as central to understanding structure, properties, and performance in materials.

Oga also began teaching as a TA despite initial apprehension about language barriers. He credits lab mate Nafisa Bala for helping him adjust: “Basically, everything I know now, she taught me,” he said.

His research has included work with Marvin Windows and Doors on window sealant durability and current investigations into converting polyethylene plastics into fuel through thermal breakdown analysis.

Outside of research, Oga assists new international students arriving at UND and has contributed to forming recognized student organizations affiliated with the American Chemical Society (ACS). He serves on departmental committees focused on recruitment and diversity initiatives.

Reflecting on leadership roles at UND, Oga said: “If the person who succeeds you is not successful, then you were not successful. I believe in collaborative leadership.”

Though travel restrictions have limited visits home, Oga continues building connections at UND while supporting fellow students’ transitions.