As cities and communities struggle with aging infrastructure and growing disruption risks, Amma Agyekum, a Ghanaian researcher is advancing data-driven approaches to help governments plan, prioritize, and protect transportation networks that communities rely on every day. Amma Agyekum, an alumna of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), is leading this work in the United States of America.
Amma is an awardee of the Margaret McNamara Education Grant (MMEG), a prestigious program administered through the World Bank that supports women from developing countries whose research are advancing knowledge and solving global problems.
Amma's recognition for the prestigious MMEG award reflects her strong influence in shaping transportation infrastructure resilience and accessibility research as well as her commitment to applying research to real-world challenges.
Amma is currently a Spaulding Smith Fellow at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where her research focuses on transportation infrastructure reliability and resilience.
Her work examines how deteriorating bridges and disrupted road networks affect access to essential services such as healthcare and food, particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities, and supports the development of national decision-support frameworks that integrate infrastructure condition, network performance, hazard uncertainty, and accessibility to guide equitable and resilience-focused transportation prioritization.
Her academic journey began in Ghana, where she earned both her bachelors degree in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics and masters degree in Construction Management from KNUST.
During her time at the university, she contributed to infrastructure systems, sustainability, and the broader societal impacts of engineering decisions, before relocating to the U.S to advance research in the same field.
Amma's research in the U.S integrates engineering analysis, computational modelling, and social considerations to support more informed infrastructure planning and investment decisions.
Her work has practical relevance for transportation agencies and policymakers, offering tools to prioritize transport infrastructure investments in ways that protect access to essential services and promote inclusive decision-making. Her work aligns closely with the World Bank's broader goals of sustainable infrastructure development, resilience, and equitable access to services.
Amma’s research focus stems from the growing frequency and severity of infrastructure disruptions globally, where transportation system failures increasingly determine whether people can reach life-sustaining services during emergencies and maintain stability during everyday conditions.
Her aim is to inform transformative policy decisions and frameworks for resilient and equitable transportation infrastructure.
Beyond her research, Amma is actively involved in mentoring students, collaborating with public agencies, and engaging in interdisciplinary research that bridges engineering, policy, and social impact.
