Naya James Mbabila profile photo

Naya James Mbabila

B.Sc. Biomedical Engineering (Graduating in February 2026)

Profile Summary

I am leveraging STEM and leadership to transform the African Medical Technology landscape.

Areas of Interest

Biophotonics
Medical Imaging and Sensing
Biophysics
Bioinstrumentation
Photonics
Engineering Design
Biomaterials
Biomechanics
IoMT
Bioinformatics
Nanotechnology
Sustainable Healthcare
Cybersecurity
Quantum Computing
Artificial Intelligence
Web Development
Leadership
Management
STEM Education
Finance

Education

B.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering

Department of Biomedical Engineering
School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana

University of Ghana, Legon

2022 - 2025

  • Capstone Project: Design of Novel Aspirator Connector for Fluid Evacuation during Cesarean Sections
  • Relevant Coursework: Bioinstrumentation, Biophotonics, Biomaterials, Biophysics, Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering Systems, Medical Physics, Nanotechnology, Bioinformatics, Medical Imaging, Calculus I & II, Mechanics I & II, Anatomy & Physiology, Thermodynamics, Programming, Fluid Mechanics, Law for Engineers
  • Highlights: President, GSBE-UG; OBED Fellow; Speaker, ESUG; Dean's Honor List
  • Final CGPA: 3.8182 (Awaiting Congregation – February 2026) || Official transcript available upon request

Professional and Academic Experience Highlights

Fully-Funded Global Delegate, Future Action Summit Malaysia 2025

Echo Change

Nov 27 – 30, 2025

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

  • Selected as one of top ten fully-funded participants from thousands of global applicants
  • Led working group on Medical Technology and Policy for Post-2030 Youth Charter
  • Engaged in SDG discussions with international changemakers and leaders

2024 OBED Fellow, Global Health Design Initiative

University of Michigan & University of Ghana | OBED Fellowship

Aug 2024 – Sep 2024

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra

  • Conducted comprehensive needs assessment in Obstetrics and Gynecology through ethnographic observation, interviews, and stakeholder engagement
  • Assessed 60 unique problems, developed design specifications for capstone project
  • Supervised by Ing. Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dr. Claude Fiifi Hayford, and University of Michigan faculty

President

Ghana Society of Biomedical Engineering - University of Ghana (GSBE-UG)

August 2023 - August 2024

  • Launched mentorship program connecting students with industry professionals
  • Organized nationwide biomedical engineering webinar series across 7 universities
  • Conducted technical seminars and coordinated field trips to medical facilities

Biomedical Engineering Intern

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

May 2023 - Aug 2023 & Feb 2024 – Apr 2024

Kumasi, Ghana

  • Participated in calibrating, troubleshooting, and maintaining medical equipment including X-ray, MRI, ventilators, and dialysis machines
  • Programmed and deployed EquiBase medical equipment inventory software for department management

More Experiences

Speaker of Parliament

Engineering Students Association of University of Ghana (ESUG)

November 2024 - September 2025

Previously: Electoral Commission Chair (Sep 2023-Oct 2024) Deputy Electoral Commissioner (Jun-Aug 2023)
  • Presided over parliamentary sessions and facilitated policy approvals for 1,000+ engineering students
  • Conducted free and fair elections for student government positions

SES Editorial Board | National Service Personnel

University of Ghana

Nov 2025 - Present

Legon, Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Head, Project Department

Street Fund Global Foundation Ghana

Jan 2025 - Present

  • Lead strategic planning and implementation of community-focused social impact initiatives

Building Expansion Committee Member

School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana

Jan 2025 - Present

  • Contributing to planning and expansion of engineering facilities

Additional Professional Experience

Medical Laboratory Intern

Powerhouse Hospital

Oct 2022 – Dec 2022

Kumasi, Ghana

  • Performed laboratory analyses on biological samples across hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and serology

Technical Programs & Training

Quantum Computing Program

The Coding School

October 2022 - April 2023

  • Completed intensive quantum computing course with IBM quantum platform
  • Project selected among top 30 for showcase

Biomedical Engineering Immersion

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

June 2022 - July 2022

  • Developed portable hand centrifuge prototype for low-resource settings

Part-Time & Apprenticeship Roles

Academic Tutor

NMJLessons (Part-time)

December 2022 - April 2025

  • Provided personalized STEM tutoring to high school and university students
  • Created educational content for online learning platforms

Paint Technician Apprentice

Lumba Vehicle Spraying Shop

2013 - 2021

Suame Magazine, Kumasi, Ghana

  • Progressed from preparation tasks to independently executing vehicle painting projects

Scholarships & Recognitions

  • Head of Department Recognition Award for Distinguished Leadership - Department of Biomedical Engineering (July 2025)
  • Best Project Presentation Award - 4th National GSBE Conference (Oct 2024)
  • Dean's Honor List - School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana
  • Educational Pathways International Scholarship - Full Scholarship at University of Ghana (2022-2024) | approximately $3,600/Gh₵ 40,000
  • Overall Best Student - Nandom Senior High School (2018/19 and 2019/20 Academic Years)

Essential Skills & Certifications

Core Technical Skills

  • Engineering: CAD (SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion), Medical Equipment Maintenance, Engineering Design, Research
  • Technology: Python (Django, Scikit-learn, OpenCV), MATLAB, Arduino, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity

Recent Certifications

  • Global SDGs Leadership Certificate - Echo Change (2025)
  • Google Advanced Data Analytics - Coursera & Google (2025)
  • Google Project Management Professional - Coursera & Google (2024)
  • Hospital Planning & Design - Hospital Engineering Academy (2024)
  • Quantum Computing - The Coding School & IBM (2023)

→ View complete skills profile and certifications

Professional Memberships

  • Ghana Institution of Engineering - Student Member (2024-Present)
  • The Field Engineer - Student Member (2023-Present)
  • Elsie Effah Kaufmann Foundation - Volunteer (2023-Present)

Research Projects

→ View full project portfolio

References: Available upon request