Members of Ghana Society for Medical Physics

Membership of Ghana Society for Medical Physics is by application

Prof. Mary Boadu

(Medical Physicist)

Prof. Mary Boadu

PROFILE

Institution

Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

Professor Mary Boadu stands as a symbol of excellence in science, research, and leadership in Ghana and beyond. With a career spanning over three decades, she has made invaluable contributions to education, research, and public service in the fields of nuclear science, radiation protection, and medical physics. Her journey, marked by academic brilliance, professional achievements, and a commitment to societal advancement, continues to inspire future generations of scientists.

Early Life and Education

Born in Bekwai in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Professor Mary Boadu’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in science. She attended S.D.A. Secondary School in Bekwai, where she earned her Ordinary Level Certificate, and later enrolled at St. Louis Secondary School in Kumasi for her Advanced Level Certificate. Her passion for the sciences propelled her to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1992.

Driven by a desire to deepen her expertise, she pursued and completed an M.Phil. in Analytical Chemistry at KNUST in 2000. Her academic pursuits reached new heights in 2005 when she earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Her postdoctoral fellowship in 2008, awarded by the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, allowed her to conduct cutting-edge research at the University of the Witwatersrand, further establishing her as a leader in her field.

Professional Career
Teaching and Early Research

Professor Boadu’s professional career began in 1991 as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Chemistry at KNUST, where she conducted tutorials and practical sessions to support undergraduate students. From 1992 to 1994, she served as a Chemistry Tutor at St. Louis Secondary School in Kumasi, nurturing the academic growth of young minds and inspiring students to pursue careers in science.

Research at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

In November 1994, Professor Boadu joined the Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) as an Assistant Research Scientist. Her dedication and exceptional contributions saw her ascend rapidly through the ranks: she became a Research Scientist in 2000, Senior Research Scientist in 2006, Principal Research Scientist in 2011, and Chief Research Scientist in 2015.

Currently, she serves as the Director of the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI) at GAEC. In this capacity, she oversees critical research and administrative activities that contribute to the development of radiological and medical sciences in Ghana. Prior to this role, she was the Head of the Radiation Safety Training Department at RPI and frequently acted as the Director-General of GAEC in the absence of the substantive Director-General. Her leadership extends to serving on key committees, including the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and Appointments and Promotions Committee, among many others.

Academic Leadership

In addition to her administrative and research roles, Professor Boadu has played a pivotal role in academia. As an Associate Professor at the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Medical Physics, both at the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) at the University of Ghana, she has mentored and supervised numerous Ph.D. and M.Phil. students. Her contributions to education also include serving as the immediate past Coordinator of the Radiation Protection Programme at SNAS.

Professor Boadu’s ability to balance academic, research, and administrative responsibilities exemplifies her commitment to advancing nuclear science education in Ghana and beyond. Her mentorship has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of nuclear scientists and researchers.

Research and Scientific Contributions

Professor Boadu’s research interests span several critical areas, including:

  1. Radiation protection and safety
  2. Radiation dosimetry and measurements
  3. Synthetic diamonds as tools for radiation measurement
  4. Epidemiological studies

Her expertise has made her a key figure in several International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Projects. Notably, she served as the Project Counterpart for RAF/9/044, which focused on strengthening radiation protection practices during medical exposure, and GHA/6/017, aimed at establishing nuclear medicine facilities in Ghana to enhance cancer prevention and treatment.

In addition to her research contributions, Professor Boadu has authored and co-authored 47 articles in peer-reviewed journals and holds a patent, demonstrating her commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in her field. Her work has directly influenced improvements in radiation safety practices and the optimization of radiological procedures in Ghana.

International Engagements

Professor Boadu’s influence extends beyond Ghana, as she has represented the country on numerous international platforms. In 2015, she was a plenary speaker at the OWSD Conference in Nigeria, where she addressed the role of women in science for global security. In 2019, she participated as a panel speaker at the “Women in Nuclear” conference in Morocco, where she highlighted the contributions of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission to nuclear applications in Africa.

She has also chaired several IAEA workshops, including the Regional Workshop on Medical Exposure Safety in Zimbabwe and the Regional Coordination Meeting on Radiation Protection in Zambia. Additionally, she has served as a scientific expert in international missions, including conducting radiation safety training for staff at COTECNA Destination Inspections Ltd in Nigeria and assessing mobile x-ray scanners at the Tin Can Port in Lagos.

Professional Affiliations and Advocacy

Professor Boadu is an active member of several professional organizations, reflecting her dedication to advancing science and supporting professional networks. These affiliations include:

  • Women in Nuclear Global, Africa, and Ghana
  • Ghana Science Association
  • Ghana Society for Medical Physics
  • Federation of African Medical Physics Organisation

She is also a Fellow of the Ghana Nuclear Society and a member of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). Through these affiliations, she has become a strong advocate for gender equity in science and a prominent voice in promoting the role of women in nuclear science and technology.

Legacy and Impact

Professor Mary Boadu’s career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in research, education, and leadership. Her contributions to radiation protection, nuclear science, and medical physics have had a profound impact on science and technology development in Ghana and the international community.

As a mentor, she has inspired countless students and researchers, fostering a new generation of scientists committed to advancing knowledge and addressing societal challenges. Her work continues to pave the way for innovation, collaboration, and the promotion of women in science, ensuring that her legacy will endure for years to come.

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