Growing up in Nigeria, Maria-Anthoniette Oghenetejiro Onoriode-Afunezie was always aware of how essential clean water is and how uneven access to it can be. “This was never an abstract problem for me; it was something I could observe around all the time,” she says. Years later, this awareness guided her to choose a path where she could work on solutions that make a real difference.

“I’ve always been interested in processes that improve the environment and human health,” she explains. Over time, that interest evolved into a determination to work with technologies that can improve water safety in places that need it most.

Designing cheaper and simpler solutions for cleaning water

Maria-Anthoniette reflects on why she chose to work in water purification, she traces it back to what she observed growing up. “Clean and safe water is essential, and I became increasingly aware of how challenging it can be when reliable treatment systems are limited,” she says.

Now a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania, she investigates structures designed to break down pollutants found in agricultural wastewater. In practice, this type of wastewater comes from everyday farming activities, including watering crops, keeping livestock, and using fertilisers and pesticides, all of which eventually reach rivers, lakes and groundwater.

“The most interesting part of my research right now is determining how copper oxides influence the performance of the sandwiched nanostructure I’m designing,” she explains.

If her research proves successful, the material she is developing could be used in treatment systems that are simpler and cheaper than current solutions. This is especially important in agricultural regions, where wastewater often contains complex chemical pollutants but treatment infrastructure is limited.

Globally, the need for such innovations remains massive. About 1 in 4 people worldwide, roughly 2.1 billion individuals, still lack access to safely managed drinking water. For communities in rural or economically challenged regions, affordable, efficient purification technologies like the one she develops may not only improve water quality but also prevent waterborne diseases and reduce public-health risks.

Her goal is clear – to help improve water safety where it is most needed. “Nigeria, like many countries, still struggles with access to clean water and has very few wastewater treatment plants,” she notes. Ultimately, Maria-Anthoniette hopes her work contributes to improving water safety and environmental health in places where it’s urgently needed.

“I first heard about Lithuania through a friend who was already living here. At that time, I was looking for a place where I could continue my education in a way that was financially realistic yet academically strong. Lithuania stood out to me because it offered quality education at a cost-friendly level,” she explains.

She arrived for her Master’s degree and has now lived in Lithuania for several years. The rhythm of the city, the quiet streets and the changing seasons all felt different from what she had known before.

“The biggest surprise for me was experiencing a different pace and style of daily life. Lithuania is very calm and organised, and public transport runs with a level of punctuality I wasn’t used to,” says the KTU PhD student.

Cultural differences were just as noticeable. While people in Nigeria are often expressive and quick to interact, communication in Lithuania follows a quieter rhythm. Still, that initial reserve soon revealed a warmer side. “People may seem reserved at first, but they are warm and helpful once you connect with them,” she says. Over time, what once felt foreign became part of her daily routine.

At the moment, her focus remains firmly on her research in Lithuania. “At this stage, Lithuania is where my academic journey is unfolding, and I’m fully focused on my research here,” she says.

Looking further ahead, Maria-Anthoniette keeps her options open: “In the long term, I’m open to different possibilities. My path will largely depend on where I can continue growing and where my work in water treatment technologies can make the most meaningful impact”. (Culled from the official website of Kaunas University of Technology, but headline rejigged)