Ghanaian scientist Moses Mayonu is breaking new ground in global biomedical research, emerging as one of the country’s leading faces in the fast-growing field of metabolomics, an advanced area of science shaping the future of disease diagnosis and precision medicine.
Mr Mayonu, who is currently pursuing a PhD in metabolomics at the Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) in Melbourne, Florida, is widely regarded as the first Ghanaian to undertake doctoral-level research in the discipline. His work is positioning Ghana on the global metabolomics map and highlighting the growing role of African scientists in cutting-edge biomedical research.
Metabolomics focuses on the study of metabolites—small molecules produced during metabolism—and provides real-time insight into what is happening inside cells and tissues. Unlike genomics, which shows what could happen biologically, metabolomics reveals what is actually happening, making it critical for understanding disease mechanisms and drug responses.
“At the core of my work is the need to see the full biological picture,” Mr Mayonu explained. “Analyzing metabolomics or proteomics data in isolation often limits biological interpretation. By integrating these datasets using AI-driven models, we can uncover deeper molecular signatures that better reflect disease biology.”
At Florida Tech, his doctoral research integrates nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) with artificial intelligence and machine learning. His research topic—Integrating NMR and LC–MS-Based Metabolomics, Proteomics with Machine Learning/AI-Driven Data Fusion to Advance Biomarker Discovery—addresses one of the biggest challenges in modern biomedical science: making sense of vast, complex biological datasets.
The approach, he says, could improve early disease detection, reduce false discoveries, and support the development of more targeted and personalised therapies. Experts note that such integrated omics research is increasingly central to precision medicine and clinical decision-making worldwide.
The significance of Mr Mayonu’s work is particularly striking for Ghana and Africa, where access to high-resolution NMR and advanced mass spectrometry systems remains limited. These constraints have historically restricted participation in metabolomics research on the continent.
By acquiring advanced technical expertise abroad, Mr Mayonu hopes to help bridge that gap. His journey—from Dadieso in Ghana’s Western Region, where he grew up in a cocoa-farming family, to laboratories in Germany and the United States—reflects a growing pipeline of Ghanaian scientists contributing to global innovation.
After earning a chemistry degree from the University of Cape Coast in 2017 and teaching at Apam Senior High School, he obtained a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Siegen in Germany in 2023 before beginning his PhD in the US.
Beyond the laboratory, he is also investing in human capital development. Mr Mayonu co-founded an educational mentorship initiative, StudyDestinations, which has supported hundreds of students across Africa and beyond in securing postgraduate and research opportunities.
As Ghana continues to push for stronger science, technology and innovation capacity, his work underscores both the challenges and possibilities for local researchers operating on the global stage—proof, many say, that Ghanaian talent can compete at the highest levels of modern science.
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