ARA-W Meet Our Team
Organizational Structure
Dr. Adaobi Okocha, MD MPH
Vice President
a Pediatrician. She will be serving as the Vice President of The African Research Academies for Women Inc. Adaobi has been with the non-profit since the beginning (10 years ago). She was the Director of Programs and ensured our fully funded summer research program ran successfully.
Dr. Isaac Antwi, Ph.D
Director of Mentorship Program
is a Medicinal Chemistry research scientist at Vividion Therapeutics Inc.Prior to that Isaac was a R&D scientist at Northern RNA in Calgary and a postdoctoral research associate at Yale University with Prof. Scott Miller, utilizing asymmetric catalysis for natural product diversification, particularly utilizing the diversification of teicoplanin to modulate it's antibacterial activity. Isaac earned his PhD from the University of Alberta, with Prof. John Vederas, doing a wealth of synthetic and mechanistic studies of anti-microbial compounds.
Akua Serwaa-Sarfo, MSPH
Director of Programs
is a Public Health Researcher and a Mental Health Advocate. With over a decade of experience in the public health field, she works with individuals, communities, and community partners to leverage existing resources to support holistic health and disease prevention.
Princila Senkyere
Director of Communications and Media Relations
is currently a tele med surge staff and also in nursing school obtaining her RN BSN. Princila aims to pursue advanced training in Pediatrics to provide support and care for children when they need it most. She is a current member of the American National Honors Society and a proud member Alpha beta kappa and Gamma Delta of Ohio Honors.
Olatide Michael Omojar
Director of Web development and Data analysis.
is a paragon at the vanguard of innovative technology, seamlessly integrating the realms of academia and industry with remarkable adeptness. Currently pursuing his doctorate at Georgia Tech, his expertise in semi-supervised learning is integral to the progress of artificial intelligence. His research is pivotal in advancing the sector of autonomous vehicles, enhancing both their independence and security.
Emily Otoo-Quayson
Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach
is a creative marketer with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. She has spearheaded and overseen social impact initiatives over the last 4 years. Her project approach is firmly rooted in three core values: simplicity, utilization of local resources, and a dedication to eco-friendliness.
Melanie Dakwa , MPH
Co-Director of Programs and Education
Melanie is currently a Senior Research and Evaluation Assistant at Mirror Group, LLC, a research and evaluation firm based in Washington, DC. In addition to her role there, she proudly serves as a LEEAD scholar, a program designed to nurture diverse early to mid-career leaders dedicated to advancing culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (CREE) in the field.
Victoria Tanoh, CA
Director of Finance
Victoria Tanoh is a versatile professional with expertise at the intersection of finance, technology, and science. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Science and Technology and holds an MSc in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University . As a Chartered Accountant certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants-Ghana currently working towards attaining her CPA under the NCCPA, Victoria has demonstrated her interdisciplinary skills through her prior role as Country Finance Manager at Inqaba Biotech West Africa, where she optimized financial operations and led initiatives in financial data analysis and control execution.