Ing. Dr. Patrick Boakye has been a Lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) since January 2018 after pursuing PhD Chemical and Biological Engineering from Hanbat National University, Republic of Korea in 2017 with specialization in Environmental Nano/ Biotechnology. Since 2014 till date, his research focus has been on:

1. Valorization of waste/biomass into useful products (i.e. materials synthesis for environmental remediation and energy applications as well as for enhanced petroleum oil recovery)
2. Thermochemical Treatment of materials: Pyrolysis and co-gasification of biomass and other resources into fuels and other chemicals
3. Application of biochar as soil amendment and organic crop fertilizer for crop cultivation
4. Toxicity of materials on microbes in microbial ecosystems
5. Water and wastewater treatment using adsorbents (nanomaterials including biochar and polymeric composites) and membrane technology
6. Polymer technology: synthesis and applications
7. Sustainable/ renewable energy technology: Biofuels production

From 2009 to 2013 he was a research assistant at the The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre. Among many assignments including assistance of Professors in diverse areas of research such as renewable energy production, he also collaborated in a team that worked with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to improve electrification in The Gambia through capacity building in solar photovoltaic and wind renewable energy technologies. He also assisted in developing a blueprint to build capacity in renewable energy technology in The Gambia by strategic planning, preparation, and circulation of renewable energy modules.

During his MSc Chemical Engineering studies at the Department of Chemical Engineering, KNUST, he had a Research Exchange Program in Canada by benefiting from The Canada-Africa Research Exchange Grants (CAREG) by International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) from June to September, 2011 at University of Western Ontario, London-Canada. As a researcher he worked on a topic titled “Biodiesel Production for Sustainable Socio-economic Development”.

After his BSc. Chemistry studies from the University of Cape Coast in 2007 he was a shift chemist at the Assay Laboratory at the Golden Star Resources, Bogoso/ Prestea from October 2007 to August 2008 during his National Service. His duties among several others included:

1. Sulphide sulphur, total sulphur, organic and total carbon determination in metallurgical and plant samples using Leco SC-144DR and SC-230.
2. Analysis of Gold (Au) and Arsenic (As) concentrations in plant liquor, exploration ore and processing plant samples using AAS.
3. Preparation of Au standard solution for Carbon Activity Test.
4. Other quality control and assurance duties

He was an intern Laboratory Analyst at the Golden Star Resources, Bogoso/ Prestea throughout vacations from years 1 to 4 during his undergraduate studies and was involved in wet chemistry analyses including:

1. Daily sampling and analysis of water within and around Bogoso/Prestea using AAS
2. Routine calibration of analytical instruments
3. Determination of caustic and acid strengths in plant strip solutions
4. Preparation of solutions, including Spekker acid for metallurgical and plant use
5. Acid digestion of Au-Ag prills after cupellation for Au analysis using AAS

Also in his current capacity as a researcher collaborating with many international researchers, he has authored and co-authored a number of academic papers in international refereed journals and a reviewer for Journal of Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, Wiley; and Journal of Science of the Total Environment, Elsevier.