KNUST ALUMNUS DR. WILLIAM AMPOMAH WINS 2026 DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH AWARD IN THE U.S.
theacademictimes 
Dr. William Ampomah, an alumnus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has received the 2026 Distinguished Research Award from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) in the United States. The award recognises his contributions to energy and subsurface engineering research, leadership and mentorship.
Dr. Ampomah is an Associate Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Dean Research Scholar and Section Head of Reservoir Evaluation and Advanced Computational Technologies at New Mexico Tech’s Petroleum Recovery Research Center.
His research covers carbon capture, utilisation and storage, reservoir engineering, subsurface energy systems, hydrogen storage, geomechanics, reservoir simulation and machine learning applications in energy systems. His work includes major projects focused on translating subsurface research into large-scale energy and carbon-management applications.
According to New Mexico Tech, Dr. Ampomah manages a sponsored research portfolio exceeding US$150 million, including major initiatives supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. His research portfolio includes the CarbonSAFE Phase III project, Four Corners Storage Hub and regional Direct Air Capture initiatives.
His scholarly record includes more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and technical reports, with more than 4,300 citations, according to New Mexico Tech. The university also highlighted his role in mentoring postdoctoral researchers as well as graduate and undergraduate students through federally funded research programmes.
Dr. Ampomah earned his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from KNUST before proceeding to New Mexico Tech, where he completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in Petroleum Engineering in 2012 and 2016, respectively. He has also maintained an academic connection with KNUST and currently serves as a part-time lecturer at the university.
Beyond academia, Dr. Ampomah serves as a New Mexico Oil Conservation Commissioner and contributes to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical committees working on carbon-management standards.
Research With Global Energy Implications
The recognition places Dr. Ampomah’s research within major areas of contemporary energy research, particularly carbon management, carbon storage, direct air capture, hydrogen storage and subsurface engineering. His work also illustrates the role of advanced engineering research in developing technologies and systems for managing energy and carbon-related challenges.
For Ghana’s research community, his achievement provides an example of how research training at a Ghanaian university can develop into internationally recognised work in advanced engineering and energy systems, while maintaining academic links with Ghana.
Source: KNUST University Relations Office, published 5 September 2026, drawing on information from New Mexico Tech; and New Mexico Tech’s official announcement published 26 August 2026.
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