The Senior Editorial Members of the Academic Times Journal are esteemed scholars committed to fostering academic excellence. Beyond their editorial supervision, they play a pivotal role in mentoring young researchers through the Academic Times Research Hour programs and engaging seminars for students and researchers. Their expertise and guidance empower emerging scholars to navigate the research landscape, enhance their scholarly contributions, and advance knowledge across diverse disciplines.
DR. ANITA ADJOA OPPONG
(ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF)
Dr. Oppong is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Ghana, where she has taught and mentored students since 2019. Previously, she served as a Lecturer at the same department and held roles as a Graduate Assistant and Research Assistant during her time in the USA and Ghana. Her teaching and research have contributed significantly to the development of Ghanaian and global scientific communities.
Dr. Oppong has an extensive academic background that showcases her dedication to advancing the frontiers of chemistry and interdisciplinary research. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of Rhode Island, USA, in 2019.
Before that, she obtained a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Chemistry from the University of Ghana in 2013 and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the same institution in 2010.
DR. ANITA ADJOA OPPONG’S RESEARCH FOCUS
Dr. Oppong’s expertise spans several cutting-edge areas, including drug discovery and synthesis, with a focus on bioactive compounds in plant medicine and natural product derivatives. She specializes in the identification and synthesis of compounds for OLEDs, particularly blue light emitters from marine endophyte fungi. Her work also extends to the development of organic UV-reflective materials and composite materials with applications in cosmetics, paints, and solar technology.
Additionally, she explores new synthetic methods for transforming strong carbon-hydrogen (C–H) bonds into carbon-carbon (C–C) or carbon-nitrogen (C–N) bonds. Her research includes Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for metal-mediated oxidation reactions and the design of carbon-based materials for energy-efficient solar cells.
Demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing critical scientific and societal challenges, her ongoing projects focus on investigating natural organic UV-reflective compounds for environmentally friendly products such as body pomades and paints, recycling waste materials—including plastics and organic waste—into valuable composite products through innovative nanotechnology approaches, developing a chemical library of biologically active compounds for drug discovery by leveraging Ghana’s rich biodiversity, and exploring the chemical characterization of blue-emitting compounds from marine fungi for potential applications in OLED technology.
DR. CHARLOTTE ODURO-YEBOAH (ASSOCIATE EDITOR)
As a Principal Research Scientist at the CSIR-Food Research Institute and Senior Lecturer at the CSIR College of Science and Technology, Dr. Oduro-Yeboah has mentored numerous students and researchers, emphasizing innovation and quality in food processing. Her leadership roles include serving as Head of Division, Food Technology Research Division, and Deputy Director of the CSIR-Food Research Institute, where she has led strategic research initiatives and industry collaborations.
She plays a key role in guiding young researchers through the Academic Times Research Hour programs and academic seminars, providing expert insights and mentorship to emerging scholars. Her vast experience, leadership in food research, and dedication to academic excellence make her an invaluable asset to the journal and the global research community.
DR. CHARLOTTE’S RESEARCH FOCUS
Her contributions extend beyond academia into consultancy and capacity building, working with organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP). She has provided technical expertise in agro-processing, food safety, and quality management systems, including ISO certification.
As a dedicated mentor, she has been instrumental in training young scientists, supervising postgraduate students, and leading mentoring programs. Her commitment to research excellence is evident in her numerous peer-reviewed publications, edited research reports, and conference presentations, addressing critical issues in food science and technology.
As a scientist with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Food Research Institute (CSIR-FRI), she has authored and co-authored numerous groundbreaking reports and manuals that demonstrate her versatility in food science, technology transfer, and business development. Among her notable contributions are reports on cassava flour and composite flour technologies, which emphasize her deep understanding of agricultural value chains. She has actively contributed to the development of fufu flour production manuals, technology transfer initiatives for SMEs, and quality assurance systems for food processing companies like ELSA Foods Limited.
DR. IRENE KAFUI VORSAH AMPONSAH (ASSOCIATE EDITOR)
With over a decade of experience in academia, Dr. Amponsah is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, where she teaches and mentors students in various statistical disciplines. She has played a crucial role in advancing statistical education and research, actively contributing to capacity-building initiatives, STEM education, and gender inclusion in statistics. Her dedication to mentorship is evident in her leadership roles, including serving as the first president and founder of Women in Statistics, Ghana (WIS-Gh) and coordinating multiple STEM-related projects aimed at encouraging young women to pursue careers in mathematics and statistics.
She holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Cape Coast and has established herself as a leading expert in computational and applied statistics. Her research focuses on model selection and recovery rate using the Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle, asymmetric price transmission, and general data analysis. Additionally, she has made significant contributions to applied statistics, particularly in education, gender studies, and health statistics.
DR. IRENE AMPONSAH‘S RESEARCH FOCUS
Dr. Amponsah has been a key figure in several high-impact research and development projects, collaborating with organizations such as Google, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). As an expert consultant, she has contributed to national and international research on gender, statistics, and STEM education. Her passion for community engagement is reflected in her leadership roles in various outreach programs, including the Statistics Mentee Program, which promotes the study and application of statistics among young female students.
Her editorial and research contributions extend beyond academia, as she is a reviewer for renowned journals such as the American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Science and the IEEE Xplore Conference Proceedings. She has authored several peer-reviewed publications and books on statistical methods and applications, further solidifying her reputation as a leading scholar in the field.
In her role as an Associate Editor for the Academic Times Journal, Dr. Amponsah is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic publishing and research integrity. She plays a pivotal role in mentoring young researchers through the Academic Times Research Hour programs and academic seminars, offering expert guidance and support to emerging scholars. Her vast experience, leadership in statistical education, and dedication to scholarly excellence make her an invaluable asset to the journal and the broader academic community.
