Photo of Isai Urasa

Dr. Isai T. Urasa

  • Professor Emeritus
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry

Areas of Expertise

Analytical and Environmental Chemistry

Education

  • Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, 1977, Colorado State University
  • M.S., Analytical Chemistry, 1972, State University of New York, Buffalo
  • B.S., Chemistry and Mathematics, 1970, Hampton Institute (Hampton University)

About Dr. Isai T. Urasa

Dr. Urasa’s research interests include Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Health, Water Resources Research, Development of Analytical Methods with Atomic Spectroscopy and Chromatography, and Science Education.

Research Programs

  • Water Resources Research:
    There are three research themes that focus on water resources:

    1. Investigation of microbial mediation in phosphate removal by wetlands
    2. Chemical characterization of biosolids and their impact on ground water quality
    3. Studies of emerging contaminants.
      These research efforts are supported by an analytical facility that consists of state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation for the determination of nutrients (phosphates and nitrates), heavy metals, organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals and personal care product contaminants.
  • Study of Environmental Processes at the Molecular Level:
    This research is focused on studying the interaction of chemical species with solid surfaces and the mitigating effects of these interactions on environmental contamination. It looks at environmental processes at the molecular level, seeking to elucidate how the natural environment is affected by contaminants, and how the affected environment can be restored. The materials under investigation include soils and sediments; bio-materials such as plants and bio-solids; natural organic matter; synthetic chelating agents; and naturally occurring polymers.
  • Heavy Metal Speciation Studies:
    This work is aimed at investigating the forms in which heavy metals exist in environmental systems and the factors that influence their distribution. The study has led to the development of new analytical methods which have been applied in the elucidation of the toxicity and other biological effects of heavy metals.
  • Distribution and Fate of Hazardous Substances in Environmental Systems:
    This research is aimed at studying the chemistry of pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxic substances in environmental systems. By knowing how these materials behave under various conditions, analytical methods for identifying and quantifying them can be developed.

Positions Held

  • 2022 – Present: Retired – Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Hampton University.
  • 2018 – 2022: Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Hampton University.
  • 1989 – 2017: Professor of Chemistry and Chairman, Department of Chemistry, Hampton University.
  • 1983 – 1988: Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chairman, Hampton University.
  • 1980 –1983: Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Professional Awards

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow, Science Scholar, 2000-2001
  • Recipient, Edward L. Hamm, Sr. Distinguished Teaching Award, Hampton University, 1996.
  • Recipient, The Outstanding Faculty Award, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 1991.

Publications

  1. I.T. Urasa and Zachary Messegee, “The Effect of Wetland Retrofit Projects on Phosphate Levels in the Estuarine and Coastal Waters of Hampton, Virginia”, 25th Annual Maryland Water Monitoring Council, Linthicum, MD, December 6, 2019.
  2. I.T. Urasa and Dawanna White, “Development of Analytical Methods for the Detection and Characterization of Emerging Contaminants using LC-MS”, In Preparation (Talanta)
  3. I.T. Urasa, Kefa K. Onjoke, and Barbara Shipes, “Influence of Composted Wastewater Sludge (CWS) on Lead and Copper Uptake by Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)”, Compost Science and Utilization, DOI: 10.1080/1065657X.2018.1496044, September 2018.
  4. I.T. Urasa and Nixon Mwebi, “Factors influencing the behavior of land applied biosolids”, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A (2011) 46, 1625-1631.
  5. I. T. Urasa, Anael Kimaro, Samuel Manyele, “Wastewater stabilization ponds: Water quality Assessment”, Proceedings, World Chemistry Congress, San Juan, Puerto Rico, paper  Number 214, August 4, 2011.
  6. M.J. Moshi, E. Innocent, P.J. Masimba, D.F. Otieno, A. Weisheit, P. Mbabazi, M. Lynes, K. Meachem, A. Hamilton, and I. Urasa, “Antimicrobial and brine shrimp toxicity of some plants used in traditional medicine in Bukoba 5 District, north-western Tanzania”, Tanzania Journal of Health Research, Vol. 11, No. 1, January 2009, 23.
  7. S.J. M. Mdachi, M.H.H. Nkunya, V.A. Nyigo, and I.T. Urasa, “Amino Acid Composition of Some Tanzanian Wild Mushrooms”, Food Chemistry, 2004, 86,179-182.
  8. I.T. Urasa, “Citizen Science in the Context of Indigenous Knowledge”, 5th Annual International Conference on Chemistry, Athens Institute for Education and Research, 17-20 July 2017, Athens, Greece.
  9. I.T. Urasa, “Global Networking for Professional Training and Development in the Chemical Sciences: The American Chemical Society Model”, IUPAC for Africa, Postgraduate Summer School on Green Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, May 12 – 19, 2019.
  10. I.T. Urasa, “Global Networking for Professional Training and Development in the Chemical Sciences: The American Chemical Society Model”, IUPAC for Africa, Postgraduate Summer School on Green Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, May 12 – 19, 2019.
  11. I.T. Urasa, Kefa K. Onjoke, and Barbara Shipes, “Influence of Composted Wastewater Sludge (CWS) on Lead and Copper Uptake by Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)”, Compost Science and Utilization, DOI: 10.1080/1065657X.2018.1496044, September 2018.
  12. I.T. Urasa and Nixon Mwebi, “Factors influencing the behavior of land applied biosolids”, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A (2011) 46, 1625-1631.
  13. I. T. Urasa, Anael Kimaro, Samuel Manyele, “Wastewater stabilization ponds: Water quality Assessment”, Proceedings, World Chemistry Congress, San Juan, Puerto Rico, paper Number 214, August 4, 2011.
  14. I.T. Urasa, “Citizen Science in the Context of Indigenous Knowledge”, 5th Annual International Conference on Chemistry, Athens Institute for Education and Research, 17-20 July 2017, Athens, Greece.
  15. I.T. Urasa, “Global Perspectives of Citizen Science”, Division of International Activities, American Chemical Society National Meeting, April 2- 6, 2017, San Francisco, CA, Conference Proceedings, Paper Number IAC 20.
  16. I.T. Urasa, and A. Kimaro, “International Research Training in Natural Products and Environmental Health: A unique Interdisciplinary Research Experience”, Division of Chemical Education, American Chemical Society National Meeting, August 10-14, 2014, San Francisco, CA, Paper Number 13964.
  17. I.T. Urasa, A. Kimaro, W. J. Mavura, “Developing a Bioreactor for Water Defluoridation: A University-community partnership”, Symposium Proceedings, Water: A Global 6 Problem, Local Solutions, Environmental Chemistry Division, American Chemical Society National Meeting, September 10, 2013, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., Paper Number 118.
  18. I.T. Urasa and Dawanna White, “Development of Analytical Methods for the Detection and Characterization of Emerging Contaminants using LC-MS”, In Preparation (Talanta)
  19. I.T. Urasa, and Gervas Assey, “Comparative Study of the Capabilities of LC-MS and GC-ECD/FID for the Determination of Pesticides in Environmental Samples” In Preparation (J. Env Qual).
  20. I. T. Urasa, Anael Kimaro, Samuel Manyele, “Wastewater stabilization ponds: Water quality Assessment”, Proceedings, World Chemistry Congress, San Juan, Puerto Rico, paper Number 214, August 4, 2011.
  21. M.J. Moshi, E. Innocent, P.J. Masimba, D.F. Otieno, A. Weisheit, P. Mbabazi, M. Lynes, K. Meachem, A. Hamilton, and I. Urasa, “Antimicrobial and brine shrimp toxicity of some plants used in traditional medicine in Bukoba District, north-western Tanzania”, Tanzania Journal of Health Research, Vol. 11, No. 1, January 2009, 23.
  22. S.J. M. Mdachi, M.H.H. Nkunya, V.A. Nyigo, and I.T. Urasa, “Amino Acid Composition of Some Tanzanian Wild Mushrooms”, Food Chemistry, 2004, 86, 179-182.
  23. I.T. Urasa and S.F. Macha, “Investigation into Heavy Metal Uptake by Waste Water Sludges”, J. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 2000, 109, 207-218.
  24. I.T. Urasa, The Use of Ion Chromatography – D.C. Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry for the Speciation of Trace Metals, Final Technical Report, U.S. Department of Energy,  Contract Number DE-FG05-86ER13589, 1998.
  25. I.T. Urasa, S.F. Macha, and W.M. El Matty, “Application of Solid Phase Extraction in Metal Speciation”; J. Chromatographic Science, 1997, 35, 519-524.
  26. I.T. Urasa and S.F. Macha, “Speciation of Heavy Metals in Soils, Sediments, and Sludges Using D.C. Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry in combination with Ion Chromatography, Int. J. Environ. Anal. Chem. 1996, 64, 83-95.
  27. I.T. Urasa, “Development of new methods for speciation analysis”; In Element Speciation in Bio-inorganic Chemistry, S. Caroli, Ed., Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, Chapter 4, 1996.
  28. I.T. Urasa and W.J. Mavura, “The Influence of Sample Acidification on the Speciation of Iron (II) and Iron (III)”, Int. J. Environ. Anal. Chem., 1992, 48, (34), 229-240.
  29. I.T. Urasa, and W.J. Mavura, “The Speciation of Iron, Manganese, Phosphorus, and Platinum in Aqueous Solutions by using Ion Chromatography Coupled with Element Selective Detector” Journal of Chromatography, 1991, 547, 211-223.
  30. I.T. Urasa, “Element Selective Detectors for Ion Chromatographic Separations In “In Advances in Ion Chromatography, Vol. 2, P. Jandik and R.M. Cassidy, Eds., Century International, pp. 93-110, 1990.
  31. I.T. Urasa and S.H. Nam, “Direct Determination of Chromium (III) and Chromium (VI) with Ion Chromatography Using Direct current Plasma Emission as Element Selective
    Detector,” J. Chromatographic Science, 1989, 27, 30-37.
  32. I.T. Urasa, V.D. Lewis, and J. DeZwaan, “Characterization and Purity Determination of Trans (+) 1,2-diamino-cyclohex-ane platinum (IV) tetrachloride by using Liquid Chromatography with Platinum Selective Detector”, Anal. Lett. 1989, 22(3) pp. 597-619.
  33. I.T. Urasa, V.D. Lewis, and S.H. Nam, “Speciation of Trace Metals by Ion Chromatography with Element Selective Detectors,” J. Chromatogr. Sc. 1989, 27, 468-473.
  34. I.T. Urasa, and V.D. Lewis, “Chromatographic Characterization of Platinum-Containing Compounds,” Virginia Journal of Science, 1988, 39(2), 143.
  35. I. T. Urasa and F. Ferede, “The Use of D.C. Plasma as an Element Selective Detector for Simultaneous Ion Chromatographic Determination of As(III) and AS(V) in the Presence of Other Common Anions,” Analytical Chemistry, 1987, 59, 1563-1568.
  36. I. T. Urasa In Proceedings of the Water Quality Technology Conference, American Water Works Association, Baltimore, 1987, pp. 557-575.
  37. I. T. Urasa, Element Speciation Studies, Final Technical Report to National Science Foundation, Project Number RIII83-05293, 1986.
  38. I.T. Urasa, “Development of Analytical Methods for Trace Element Determination using Direct Current Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry”, Final Technical Report, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1984.
  39. I.T. Urasa, “Determination of Arsenic, Boron, carbon, Phosphorus, Selenium, and Silicon in natural Waters by Direct Current Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry”, Anal. Chem., 1984, 56, 904-908.

Popular Topics