Ep 47: Anna Ampaw-Chemistry PhD Student

My guest today is Anna Ampaw who is of Ghanian descent living in Canada. In this episode, we learn that Anna actually wanted to be a dentist she will explain further that her academic journey was not straight and narrow and unfortunately the dentist dream did not come to pass.  Currently, a chemistry PhD student at the University of Ottawa, Canada. Her research focuses on synthesizing small molecule carbohydrates for the purpose of decreasing cell damage during cryopreservation. We get into understanding this fascinating research and Anna clears up any misconceptions that Sci-Fi movies might have taught us about cryopreservation. Apart from the research, Anna is working on her own individual outreach project for women in STEM that are either at the undergraduate, graduate, or young professional level she hopes to execute summer 2021 in Ghana. Linking to this we discuss the importance of Africans, especially those in the Diaspora, to come back to Africa and assist projects for the advancement of other Africans in their home country. Tune in!

Twitter and Instagram: @anna_thechemist
LinkedIn: Anna AMpaw