I have been part of the Ashesi University team since 2016, and prior to moving to Ghana, I taught at the University of Hull and researched onco-immunomodulation and the application of focus ultrasound. I am an alumnus of Arizona State University, where I completed Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Microbiology, a Master’s in Microbiology, and a PhD in Bioengineering.

I have worked at Johns Hopkins University and King’s College London doing cancer research, from targeting cellular receptors to improve specificity or vascular receptors for enhancing anti-angiogenesis to imaging and focused ultrasound drug delivery. My research interests lie in how to use biologically inspired concepts to solve different health-related problems, such as optimising cancer therapies and diagnosis. I am particularly interested in how to implement such approaches and research in Africa by developing cost-effective, non-invasive and efficient therapies and sensors. In particular, using synthetic biology, we can develop organisms that can address some of the current problems facing the continent, such as malaria eradication, removal of toxic materials from the environment, biosensors for water quality monitoring, etc.

I am also really passionate about teaching; I am interested in how to challenge students effectively to understand fundamental engineering concepts and how to use them to develop unique and novel solutions to problems. Using current challenges along with research and engineering principles as motivators, I hope to inspire their curiosity and desire to approach even the most daunting problems. I believe that by helping students combine research and learning, they can reach their best potential.