As the world races to cut greenhouse emissions, Ghanaian researcher Dr. Alhassan Ibrahim is helping turn forest and farm residues into cleaner fuels, work he believes could one day power aviation and strengthen energy security across Africa.

A postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State University (OSU), Ibrahim designs and tests nanocatalyst strategies that upgrade crude bio-oils produced from residues like rice straw and forest slash into energy-dense, stable fuel fractions suitable for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pathways.

"We're learning how to get more usable fuel out of waste biomass while lowering carbon intensity," he says. "My long-term goal is to help transfer these methods to contexts like Ghana, where agricultural by-products are abundant."

Aviation is a hard-to-abate sector; SAF is one of the few near-term tools to reduce its footprint. By improving conversion efficiency and fuel quality from low-value residues, Ibrahim's research tackles a known bottleneck on the path to lower-carbon jet fuel.

The work has been recognized through peer-reviewed publications and invitations to evaluate others' research as a journal reviewer and conference poster judge.

He co-authored a Legislature-directed report describing GREET-based CI modeling, process design, and bench/pilot-linked yields evidence that his laboratory advances are feeding into policy and program planning.

"But the science is mature enough to begin feasibility studies mapping feedstock logistics, testing catalysts on local residues, and validating the carbon-intensity benefits under Ghana's grid conditions."

The road ahead

Challenges remain capital costs, supply-chain logistics, and consistent policy frameworks but Ibrahim is pragmatic. "The key is to start small and measure everything," he says. "If Ghana invests in targeted pilots and workforce training, we can build toward a regional hub for sustainable fuels that creates jobs and reduces import dependence."

Postdoctoral Scholar, Oregon State University (OSU)