An afternoon to remember: African Science Academy welcomes Faculty for the Future Fellows
Tema, Ghana – African Science Academy – 7th April 2025
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!At the African Science Academy (ASA) in Tema, Ghana, a single afternoon became a potential turning point in the journey of 50 brilliant young women. The occasion? A hands-on showcase of science, mathematics, and engineering brought to life by four remarkable Faculty for the Future alumnae and their collaborators.
These weren’t ordinary classroom demonstrations. They were led by some of Africa’s most accomplished scientific minds: Fellows of the Schlumberger Foundation’s Faculty for the Future program, which supports women from developing and emerging economies in pursuing advanced degrees in STEM.
And for the students – each from one of 13 African countries and completing intensive A-Level courses in Maths, Further Maths, and Physics in just 10 months – it was an unforgettable chance to learn directly from the kind of leaders many aspire to become.
Science in their hands
Biotechnologist Prof Marian Dorcas Quain, Deputy Director General at Ghana’s Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), led a workshop on DNA extraction using spring onions and cheek cells. Professor Quain’s expertise spans tissue culture, genetic transformation, and plant physiology and is rooted in postdoctoral research on how drought affects soybean development, a crop vital to Ghana’s north.
She was joined by two equally inspiring scientists:
- Pennante Naa Ayikailey Bruce-Vanderpuije, an Environmental Chemist investigating the toxic effects of e-waste and pesticide residues in food and soil.
- Dr Rose Otema Baah, a Food Scientist studying the properties of sorghum, a staple crop that holds promise for combating hunger across the continent.
Together, the trio brought biotechnology down to earth, and gave students a practical perspective on how their everyday world is shaped by scientific inquiry.
Engineering power
From molecules to megawatts, Dr Ing Lena Dzifa Mensah, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at KNUST (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), introduced students to clean energy concepts using solar panels and wind turbines. Her research spans manufacturing risks, food safety processes, and product design for global markets: proof that engineering isn’t just about machines; it’s about systems that improve lives.
Mathematics as a secret language
Mathematician Dr Angela Tabiri from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Ghana, unlocked the hidden power of numbers through a workshop on encryption and decryption. The session revealed how mathematical symmetry underpins everything from crystal structures to cybersecurity. Her current research in quantum algebra puts her at the cutting edge of the field.
A glimpse of the future
Beyond the labs and problem-solving, a career guidance session sparked essential conversations about pathways in STEM, higher education, and leadership. This was more than a school visit: it was a living testament to what happens when education meets opportunity, and when global investment empowers African women in science.
The Schlumberger Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to our Faculty for the Future Fellows and collaborators for their generosity, energy, and brilliance. Their presence was a gift of both knowledge and possibility. The students of ASA were fortunate to learn from such senior, accomplished experts. And we were reminded that when role models reflect the world they come from, futures can change in an afternoon.
We would also like to thank the following for their efforts in making the visit a success:
- Yasameen Al-jboury, Executive Director, African Gifted Foundation
- Gifty Ghansah , Head Teacher
- Jennifer Mensah, Admin & Communications Manager
Finally, thanks to Tom Illube, CBE, for his visionary work on setting up the school.