Akorfa Dagadu graduated with honors from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
A former National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) semifinalist, Akorfa Dagadu, has graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in Chemical-Biological Engineering.
Dagadu, who represented Keta Senior High Technical School (Keta SHTS) in the 2019 NSMQ, has also been recognised as the Most Outstanding Chemical Engineering Student in Boston by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
From NSMQ to Google: PRESEC’s Prince Debrah Jr lands engineering role with tech giant
In a post shared by the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) Facebook page on Friday, June 12, 2026, it said that her achievement comes after completing her studies at one of the world’s leading universities, where she specialised in chemical-biological engineering.
“Congratulations to Akorfa Dagadu, #NSMQ2019 semifinalist from Keta SHTS on graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in Chemical-Biological Engineering.
“She was named the Most Outstanding Chemical Engineering Student in Boston by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE),” the post read.
Akorfa was also named as a Schwarzman Scholar, joining the Class of 2026–27 alongside scholars from 40 countries and 83 universities.
The programme selected 150 scholars this year from over 5,800 applicants, the highest number in its 11-year history.
According to MIT News in January 2026, the Schwarzman Scholarship is a fully funded one-year master’s degree programme in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. It focuses on leadership, global affairs and China, with cultural and professional development opportunities.
At MIT, Dagadu researched enzyme-polymer systems designed to break down plastics at the end of their lifecycle. Her work has received international recognition, including the CellPress Rising Scientist Award.
Watch former NSMQ star address ‘AI takeover’ fears after graduating from MIT
She is also the founder of Ishara, a venture focused on improving recycling systems in Ghana by linking informal waste pickers to more transparent and efficient structures. The project is designed with potential to scale across other developing markets.
Dagadu has expressed interest in building a materials innovation hub in Africa to address challenges linked to waste, including plastics and electronic waste.
MAG/VPO
📸❤️ THE GHANAWEB DAD & ME CHALLENGE IS BACK FOR ITS SECOND EDITION!
Copyright © 1994 - 2026 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
