Lena Dzifa Mensah
The researcher's work focuses on advancing sustainable solutions across multiple domains within life sciences and physical sciences. Their research encompasses innovations in renewable energy systems, particularly solar photovoltaics and hydrogen production, as well as global trade strategies. They also emphasize the role of quality management and circular economy principles in food safety and urban development challenges. The findings are contextualized in Ghana, highlighting how these technologies can enhance agricultural practices, waste management, and food safety.
Faculty Biography
Lena Dzifa Mensah (Ing. PhD) is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), and also a Fellow of the Brew-Hammond Energy Center. She has almost 10 years of experience in teaching and researching in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing and Food Systems and Renewable Energy.Lena is currently an Advisory Board Member of the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) at KNUST, and also a Member of the Young Researchers Forum of KNUST. She also served on the Ministerial Advisory Board of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Ghana.She is also the Project Coordinator for the Fostering Research & Intra-African Knowledge Transfer Through Mobility and Education (FRAME) project host at the Brew-Hammond Energy Center, KNUST, which is currently ongoing and would come to a close in 2026. She also previously coordinated projects in renewable energy, and renewable energy integration into food processing. Notable among these projects are:Lena has also served her College and Department in a number of capacities:She has over the years been involved in the mentoring of women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the Tertiary education level. Notable among these includes serving as a mentor for women on the:Lena is passionate about women empowerment, and hence is actively involved in WiSTEM. She is currently an Editorial Committee Member for WiSTEM’s magazine called the Inspirer. Lena holds a PhD in Manufacturing, and a postgraduate Diploma in Engineering and Management of Manufacturing Systems from Cranfield University, UK; a Masters in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Nottingham, UK and a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering from KNUST.She is a Corporate Member of the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE).
Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure
Energy and Environment Impacts
Energy Load and Power Forecasting
Food Drying and Modeling
Food Safety and Hygiene
Global trade, sustainability, and social impact
Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems
Integrated Energy Systems Optimization
Municipal Solid Waste Management
Photovoltaic System Optimization Techniques
Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability
Quality and Supply Management
solar cell performance optimization
Solar Radiation and Photovoltaics
Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems
Supply Chain Resilience and Risk Management
Sustainability in Higher Education
Urban and Rural Development Challenges
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology