Akorfa Dagadu

Experience

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  BAMSIMA

  Nov 2019 - Dec 2020

  Head Of Partnerships
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  Young Achievers Foundation Ghana

  May 2021 - Jun 2022

  Scholar
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  Millennium Fellowship

  Aug 2021 - Nov 2021

  Fellow
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  Ishara

  Jan 2022 - now

  Co-Founder
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  MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program

  Oct 2022 - Jun 2024

  Fellow
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  MIT Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center (PKG Center)

  Nov 2022 - Jun 2024

  PKG Fellow

  Joined a community of social entrepreneurs and received funding and mentorship to run customer research on project, Ishara - a sustainability-focused startup focused on creating an all-inclusive digital system for plastic waste collection in Ghana.

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  MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE)

  Jan 2023 - now

  Random heteropolymers (RHPs) are highly versatile polymer chains with random monomer sequences, extensively employed in industries such as film packaging and lubricants. Recent research has uncovered protein-like properties in RHPs, including the ability to protect enzymes in foreign environments. To optimize their design and understand their behavior, it is essential to investigate RHPs' morphology, interactions in solution, with proteins, and at various interfaces.This research uses biased and unbiased atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning to understand the behavior and morphology of this Random heteropolymer conjugated with the enzyme proteinase K, which can degrade plastics. Show less

  • Undergraduate Researcher

    Jun 2023 - now

  • Undergraduate Researcher

    Jan 2023 - Jun 2023
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  MIT Civil and Environmental Engineering

  Feb 2023 - Aug 2023

  Metagenomic approaches have transformed microbiology by revealing the intricate composition of microbial communities and their metabolic functions. However, they often fail to capture detailed information about low-abundance members, including potentially important keystone species. Thus, a more comprehensive understanding of the microbiome necessitates a deeper characterization of these less abundant taxa.This research focuses on using oligonucleotide aptamers and the method of magnetic separation to observe and analyze the presence of low-abundance species in these complex microbial communities. Show less

  • Undergraduate Researcher

    Jun 2023 - Aug 2023

  • Undergraduate Researcher

    Feb 2023 - Jun 2023
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  Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT

  Aug 2023 - now

  Legatum Fellow
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  MacroCycle Technologies

  Jun 2024 - Aug 2024

  Pilot Plant Engineering & Supply Logistics Intern

  At MacroCycle, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge sustainability efforts in plastic upcycling. Collaborating closely with a senior engineer, I helped co-assemble a $25,000 pilot plant capable of upcycling 200,000 PET bottles annually into virgin-grade plastic, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. One of my key projects was developing a mass balance model that streamlined our process by reducing solvent loss by 67%, unlocking potential savings of $850 per cycle at scale.I also conducted HAZOP studies to identify and mitigate key risks, from oil leaks to overpressure, ensuring smooth and safe operations. Beyond the technical work, I engaged in global market research to evaluate optimal sourcing strategies for PET, interacting with stakeholders across 14 countries.This hands-on role ignited my passion for sustainability, process engineering, and safety engineering, offering invaluable lessons that continue to shape my journey as an engineer. Show less

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  Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship

  Jun 2024 - Aug 2024

  Pozen Fellow