Meet Our Cohort One Mentors

Meet our first cohort of mentors — accomplished professionals dedicated to guiding emerging
researchers and inspiring impactful innovation.

Dr. Ibrahim Ajami

Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Ibrahim Ajami

Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Ibrahim Ajami is a medical doctor with over seven years of clinical experience and specialist training in Internal Medicine. A Yale Greenberg World Fellow and Oxford MSc candidate, he served as Medical Director of Liberia’s National COVID-19 Treatment Centre. He is passionate about advancing emergency medicine and public health across Africa through research and mentorship.

Edith N. Tarplah

Civil Engineering

Edith N. Tarplah

Civil Engineering

Edith Tarplah is a civil and environmental engineer with a passion for sustainable development and mentorship. She holds an MSc in Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation and lectures at the University of Liberia. Dedicated to empowering women in STEM, she brings expertise in project coordination, advocacy, and community engagement.

Bill Ivans Gbafore

Economics

Bill Ivans Gbafore

Economics

Bill Ivans Gbafore is a Kistefos Scholar and IE Foundation Fellow pursuing a Master’s in Applied Economics at IE University. With six years of experience in research, consultancy, and social impact, his work centers on poverty, inequality, and human capital development. Bill combines analytical rigor with strategic insight to drive data-informed policy for sustainable development.

Abubakar M. Sheriff

Maritime Engineering

Abubakar M. Sheriff

Maritime Engineering

Abubakar Mahmud Sheriff is a maritime professional, researcher, and educator with over nine years of industry experience. He is pursuing a PhD in Maritime Engineering at the University of Tasmania, focusing on applying machine learning and AI to maritime safety and environmental protection. With several publications in leading journals, he is committed to advancing sustainable maritime solutions and mentoring the next generation of professionals.

Anindhita

Energy

Anindhita

Energy

Anindhita is an energy policy researcher and PhD candidate in Japan, focusing on strategies for achieving Indonesia’s net-zero emission goals. With degrees in applied mathematics and over a decade of experience in government energy planning, she bridges research and practice for sustainable energy solutions. She is passionate about mentorship and supporting young scholars to pursue global academic opportunities.

Solomon G. Mahn

Economics

Solomon G. Mahn

Economics

Solomon Mahn is an economist and development practitioner with over eight years of experience in public policy, consulting, and social innovation. He holds a Master’s in Economics from the University of Nairobi and leads Social Impact Consulting at TRIBE. His work promotes evidence-based policymaking and inclusive development across Liberia and the Global South.

Philip Bargin

Computer Science

Philip Bargin

Computer Science

Philip Bargin holds a Master of Engineering degree from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, where he specialized in machine learning and computer vision. His research focused on developing scalable and interpretable AI models for real-world classification problems. Philip is passionate about mentoring emerging researchers to design ethical and impactful technological solutions for society.

Elizabeth D. Kamara

Environmental Studies

Elizabeth D. Kamara

Environmental Studies

Elizabeth Kamara is a PhD candidate at Duke University specializing in Marine Science and Conservation. With dual master’s degrees in Environmental Change and Conservation Biology, she has over five years of field and policy experience. She is committed to mentoring young environmentalists and advancing evidence-based solutions for global sustainability.

Leo Klah Wilson

Geology

Leo Klah Wilson

Geology

Leo Wilson is a geologist with expertise in mineral exploration, geostatistical modeling, and petroleum geochemistry. He holds master’s degrees from the University of Nairobi and China University of Petroleum, with experience at ArcelorMittal Liberia and Conex Petroleum. Leo is passionate about mentoring young geoscientists and advancing research in Africa’s natural resource sector.

Kwadwo Yeboah Achampong

Technology

Kwadwo Yeboah Achampong

Technology

Kwadwo Achampong is a Geomatic Engineer and MPhil candidate at KNUST specializing in GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data analysis. His research applies geospatial technologies to land management and environmental monitoring. Committed to mentorship, he supports young researchers in using technology to drive innovation and sustainable growth in Africa.

Dr. Richard J. Doe

Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Richard J. Doe

Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Richard Doe is a medical doctor and public health specialist with over seven years of experience in clinical care and health systems research. He holds master’s degrees in Epidemiology and in Health Economics, Policy, and Management. His work focuses on improving healthcare access and quality through evidence-based research and documentation.

Mohammed Konneh

Chemistry

Mohammed Konneh

Chemistry

Mohammed Konneh is a Liberian researcher in Analytical Chemistry at Erciyes University in Turkey. His work focuses on developing green chemistry-based techniques for contaminant detection and environmental remediation. A TÜBİTAK Research Fellow and YTB Scholar, he is passionate about scientific innovation for a cleaner, safer world.

Blamo Wreh Nimely

Accounting

Blamo Wreh Nimely

Accounting

Blamo Nimely is a Chartered Certified Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner with over twelve years of experience in auditing and finance. He holds an MSc in Accounting and Finance (Distinction) from the University of Northampton and serves as Assistant Manager at Baker Tilly Liberia. A dedicated mentor and researcher, he is passionate about strengthening Liberia’s academic and financial integrity.

Dennis Bai Zinnah, Jr.

Geology

Dennis Bai Zinnah, Jr.

Geology

Dennis Zinnah Jr. is a social innovator and founder of DTECHSOLAR and College Connect Education, empowering communities through clean energy and mentorship. A 2022 Pride of Africa Young Achiever, he holds an LL.M. from Peking University and is pursuing a PhD at Tsinghua University. Dennis is dedicated to transforming research into practical solutions for Africa’s sustainable development.

Ahmed K. Konneh

Liberal Arts

Ahmed K. Konneh

Liberal Arts

Ahmed Konneh is a serial social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in education, youth empowerment, and healthtech innovation. He is the founder and CEO of DjaraPharma, a venture improving access to affordable medicine in Liberia. Ahmed is driven by a mission to use social entrepreneurship to create sustainable growth and rebuild communities across Africa.

Meet Our Cohort One Mentors

Dr. Ibrahim Ajami

Edith N. Tarplah

Bill Ivans Gbafore

Abubakar M. Sheriff

Anindhita

Solomon G. Mahn

Philip Bargin

Elizabeth D. Kamara

Leo Klah Wilson

Kwadwo Yeboah Achampong

Dr. Richard J. Doe

Mohammed Konneh

Blamo Wreh Nimely

Dennis Bai Zinnah, Jr.

Ahmed K. Konneh

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