Dr. Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo, a Senior Lecturer and former Head of the Department of Optometry and Visual Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, has been named a member of the Advisory Board of the Global Light Commons (GLC). 

The initiative seeks to build a global platform for collecting and harmonizing data on light exposure and visual experiences to support research into health and wellbeing.

Dr. Akuffo was selected among seven researchers from different parts of the world, with expertise in circadian neuroscience, vision science, neurology, optometry, lighting design, engineering and architecture. The board brings together researchers from Ghana, Costa Rica, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Türkiye and the United States.

The advisory board will guide efforts to create what organizers describe as an open and scientifically rigorous data infrastructure that is globally representative and accessible to the wider research community.

The Global Light Commons aims to support international studies on how light affects human health, sleep, vision and daily living. The initiative also seeks to improve collaboration among researchers through shared standards, open tools and cross-cultural partnerships.

Dr. Akuffo’s research focuses on ocular nutrition, ophthalmic epidemiology, low vision and environmental vision. He holds a PhD in Vision Science from the Waterford Institute of Technology in Ireland and a Doctor of Optometry degree from KNUST.

Over the years, his work has earned international recognition, including the George Britton Early Investigator of the Year Award at the Brain and Ocular Nutrition Conference.

He has also co-led several international research projects, including the HM KNUST Low Vision Project in Ghana, funded by the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation, and a collaborative German Ghanaian study on environmental light exposure, ocular health and sleep, supported by the Technical University of Munich Global Incentive Fund.

Another project he co-led, under the Daylight Academy, focused on building a globally representative dataset on personal daylight exposure through capacity building and microgrants.

Beyond research, Dr. Akuffo is known for mentoring young scientists and students, many of whom have gone on to receive prestigious international awards. He also serves on the Board of the African STEM Network.

The Global Light Commons is supported by the Technical University of Munich Global Incentive Fund, which promotes international partnerships and cross-cultural research on light and health.