Penn State Professor Kwadwo Osseo-Asare Receives The 2022 MRS Impact Award for Contributions to Materials Science and Engineering
Dr. Kwadwo Osseo-Asare, a distinguished professor of materials science and engineering and energy and geo-environmental engineering at Penn State, has been honored with the prestigious 2022 MRS Impact Award by the Materials Research Society (MRS). The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in science communication, education, advancing diversity, mentoring, and community engagement within the field of materials science.
In expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Osseo-Asare emphasized the significance of diversity, mentoring, and effective communication in scientific endeavors. His passion for creating a thriving global materials science and engineering community that transcends borders, connecting Africa to the Americas, was specifically acknowledged by the society.
The award ceremony took place in May during the MRS spring meeting in Hawaii, where Osseo-Asare delivered a compelling talk inspired by a proverb from his native Ghana: “Kεji tsɔ kome kpee kɔɔyɔɔ lε ekuɔ,” meaning, “When a single tree encounters strong wind, it breaks.” Through this metaphor, he emphasized the importance of collaboration and support among peers, colleagues, and students, emphasizing that together, we are stronger than as individuals.
Dr. Osseo-Asare has established himself as a pioneering figure in aqueous processing, a field with broad applications in materials synthesis and processing, hydrometallurgy, and environmental systems. His groundbreaking work has significantly contributed to the understanding of extraction processes, earning him the prestigious membership in the U.S. National Academy of Engineering in 2004 and induction into the Brazilian Academy of Sciences in 2015.
Throughout his esteemed career, Osseo-Asare has served as editor-in-chief of Hydrometallurgy from 1998 to 2010 and has been a visiting professor at esteemed universities worldwide, including those in Australia, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, Japan, South Africa, and Tanzania. He also had the honor of being a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
At Penn State, Osseo-Asare’s dedication and contributions have been recognized with various accolades, including the Faculty Scholar Medal in Engineering and the Wilson Award for Excellence in Research. Beyond his academic pursuits, he is the senior adviser for Penn State’s Alliance for Education, Science, Engineering, and Design with Africa, demonstrating his commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between Penn State and African institutions.
His passion for sustainable development and education is evident in his blog, “aqueousolutions,” where he shares insights on science, technology, and sustainable practices. Recently, he has been integrating African proverbs into his teaching methods to inspire engineering students, exemplified by the proverb “Isikhuni esingaziwayo asithezwa,” urging students to understand the foundations of their endeavors fully.
Dr. Kwadwo Osseo-Asare’s enduring commitment to advancing materials science and engineering, promoting diversity and mentoring, and bridging continents through collaborative research and education has made him a truly deserving recipient of the MRS Impact Award. His contributions continue to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers worldwide.