Born in Nova Scotia to Ransford Ampaw, a Dalhousie University MBA graduate who immigrated from Ghana, and Eva Ampaw, a self-taught seamstress with her own clothing line, Dr. continued throughout her academic career. Dr. Ampaw completed her master’s degree in chemistry at Dalhousie University, where she investigated the inhibition of β-phosphoglucomutase, a protein that converts glucose-1-phosphate to glucose-6-phosphate. Since this mechanism had not been well studied, her approach was to design inhibitors to trap the enzyme in its transition state and observe how it undergoes the mechanism. She then received her PhD in chemistry at the University of Ottawa, focusing her research on carbohydrate-based cryoprotectants for blood cryopreservation – the preservation of biological structures by bringing them to low temperatures. By synthesizing small carbohydrate molecules that prevent ice damage to blood, they could address the issue of cell death during cryopreservation, thereby increasing the yield of viable blood cells after freezing. Although graduate school was not easy, Dr. Ampaw teaches many life-changing lessons in her time there. She refers to herself as a “slow learner”, stressing that her results came from the work and effort she put into her studies. Although it took her longer to grasp the concepts, she recognized that was okay and took the time she needed to visualize them, ultimately retaining them. Originally a shy student who disliked public speaking, Dr. Ampaw was forced to attend conferences and present her research. This inspired her confidence, sharpened her communication skills and opened many doors in her career. Although undecided about her ultimate goal, she is excited to explore the countless opportunities that graduate school has afforded her. Her focus on science as humanitarian aid is demonstrated by her current Postdoctoral Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry at UTM. “One thing I really liked about Patrick Gunning’s lab is the integration of academia with industry,” he explains. With many bright minds in academia, there is an obvious disconnect between new lab discoveries and their release into the marketplace. Dr. Ampaw believes that Dr. Gunning Lab, we take our knowledge and apply it to health by making molecules to inhibit different proteins that cause cancers,” adds Dr. Ampaw. The assessment of Dr. Ampaw’s passion for practical science stems from her strong Christian faith and confidence in knowing that she is where she belongs. This helped her navigate her experiences as a Black woman in graduate school. While she originally hoped to work in dentistry, pursuing her PhD led her to discover her true passion for medicinal chemistry. After hearing the daily struggles of her friends entering dental school, Dr. Ampaw felt even more grateful for this turn in her career, realizing that dentistry was not for her. Throughout her studies, Dr. Ampaw has connected with various organizations, including Canadian Blood Services and the Canadian Black Science Network — an organization started in 2021 by U of T professors to provide a platform of support for black students in the sciences. She also participates in STEMNoire’s annual conference that invites Black women in STEM to present their research and speak on professional development. Participating in these communities was vital to Dr. Ampaw – as a black woman in the sciences, she felt the absence of representation in her own academic career. Throughout her master’s degree and the majority of her Ph.D., Dr. Ampaw was the only black woman, who was often a source of conflict. Being the only one in her family to complete a master’s or doctorate in science and having no other black peers to relate to her adversity and lack of resources and guidance created a feeling of loneliness. In her second and third years, she made an active effort to seek out a community of like-minded individuals with similar backgrounds, primarily through social media. Through this endeavor she connected with several black women in STEM. In 2020, Dr. Ampaw used her own experiences to create her own non-profit organization called Empowering Female Minds (EFeMS). With a wealth of initiatives in North America for graduate students in STEM who are minorities, she wanted to extend the same fortune to those in Africa by creating a community among African women in STEM. EFeMS helps African scientists financially through scholarships and aims to host annual conferences for students to present their research, most of which focuses on solving problems in their communities. Through hard work, perseverance and strong faith, Dr. Ampaw hopes to continue her research and find new ways to empower minority communities around the world.
