Kwadwo Osseo-Asare, distinguished professor of materials science and engineering and of energy and geo-environmental engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS), was recently inducted into the Brazilian Academy of Sciences during a ceremony held in Rio de Janeiro. He was cited for “pioneering contributions and developing fundamental understanding of the aqueous processing and application of materials.”
Osseo-Asare, who has a longstanding relationship with the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and Brazil’s National Institute of Science and Technology on Mineral Resources, Water, and Biodiversity – INCT-Acqua, was cited for “pioneering contributions and developing fundamental understanding of the aqueous processing and application of materials.”
“Being named as an inductee was an honor,” said Osseo-Asare. “I’m very thankful to be inducted into such a prestigious academy, especially during its centennial celebration.”
Osseo-Asare’s research interests are in aqueous processing, especially hydrometallurgy, materials synthesis and processing, separation science and environmental sustainability.
“I’m hoping that my research changes the way other scientists and people think about materials science research,” said Osseo-Asare.
Osseo-Asare began his career at Penn State in 1976. Prior to that, he worked at the Amax Extractive Research Laboratories in Golden, Colorado, as a research metallurgist and project leader, where he developed technologies for nickel and cobalt extraction and refining.
In 2004, he was elected a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering for pioneering contributions to the understanding of extraction processes. In addition, he served as editor-in-chief of Hydrometallurgy from 1998-2010.
Penn State awarded him the University’s Faculty Scholar Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering in 1999. In 1995, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences honored him with the Wilson Award for Excellence in Research.
Osseo-Asare has also served as visiting professor at universities in Australia, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, Japan, South Africa and Tanzania, and as a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He has a special interest in development engineering and advancing science and technology education in developing countries.
Osseo-Asare attended secondary school at Achimota School, a boarding school in Ghana. He received a bachelor of science degree in 1970, a master of science degree in 1972 and a doctoral degree in 1975, all in materials science and engineering from the University of California-Berkeley.
Founded in 1916, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences is a nonprofit entity that operates as an honorific scientific society and as a consultant for the government to perform technical, scientific and policy-related studies. The academy promotes technological advancement and encourages innovation through collaboration. It honors significant contributions by those in the international scientific community.