For Prof. (Mrs.) Mercy Badu, the path to becoming a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, College of Science, KNUST, has been shaped by curiosity, purpose and an unwavering commitment to using science to solve pressing societal challenges.
Now a Professor of Organic and Natural Products Chemistry, her journey reflects years of scholarship, mentorship and research dedicated to improving lives through chemistry.
Her academic story began at KNUST in 1998 when she entered the university as one of the first beneficiaries of the prestigious Otumfuo Education Fund. From that promising beginning, she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry before advancing to MSc and PhD studies in Organic and Natural Products Chemistry.
Her doctoral research was undertaken through a collaborative programme between KNUST and the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, under the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship scheme. She further expanded her global research exposure through the University of Michigan Africa Presidential Scholars award, which supported a six-month research training programme at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Since joining the faculty in 2007, Prof. Badu has built a reputation as a respected scholar whose research bridges chemistry and human development.
A Natural Products Chemist, her research seeks to promote indigenous underutilised oilseeds and nuts as sustainable solutions to food security challenges in Ghana. Using novel analytical approaches, she identifies and characterises the chemical functionality of extracts from different parts of plants, examining their macronutrients, micronutrients, anti-nutritional factors and medicinal properties.
Her work is particularly significant in addressing malnutrition, strengthening sustainable agriculture and promoting good health, directly contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3; Zero Hunger and Good Health and Well-being.
This research focus has positioned her as one of KNUST’s leading scientists in the field of natural products chemistry and has attracted several prestigious international awards and fellowships.
These include the Africa Academy of Science Climate Impact Research and Capacity Leadership Enhancement (AAS-CIRCLE) postdoctoral fellowship, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Individual Research Grant, International Foundation for Science (IFS) grants, the LIRA 2030 Africa research grant, the OWSD Early Career Fellowship, and the Cambridge Africa Alborada research grant.
Beyond the laboratory, Prof. Badu’s influence is deeply felt in mentorship and academic capacity building. Over the years, she has mentored and supervised more than 100 undergraduate students, many of whom graduated with first-class and second-class upper honours.
Her impact extends into postgraduate training, where she has successfully supervised numerous MSc, MPhil and PhD students, while continuing to guide several others currently undertaking advanced research in her laboratory.
Her passion for empowering young women in STEM has also become a defining part of her legacy. Through collaborations with organisations such as African Research Academies for Women Ghana (ARAW-G), Camfed, and the Millennium Development Authority’s internship and mentoring programme, she has inspired many young women to pursue scientific careers.
She is the Secretery of the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (WiSTEM) initiative at KNUST, which continues to work with the Vice-Chancellor’s Office to organise mentorship and leadership coaching programmes for young women in Ghana.
With a career marked by impactful research, global recognition, dedicated teaching and transformational mentorship, Prof. (Mrs.) Mercy Badu’s promotion to professor is not only a personal milestone but a proud achievement for the Department of Chemistry and KNUST.
Her story is one of science in service to society, a journey rooted in excellence and driven by purpose.
Story by: Edith Asravor
