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Professional headshot of Nelson Akafuah.
Location
220 L CRMS
Phone
859-218-0702
Email
nelson.akafuah@uky.edu

Nelson Akafuah is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Fujio Cho Department of Engineering Technology at the University of Kentucky. He also serves as the director of the Institute of Research for Technology Development (IR4TD). 

Nelson earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. He also holds an Executive MBA from the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Orleans, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana.

Throughout his career, Nelson has held several technical and management positions. These include serving as a project engineer at KITE, an energy consulting firm in Kumasi, and as a mechanical engineer at General Electric Power Systems in Schenectady, New York. He has also been the Associate Director of IR4TD.

Nelson's research focuses on various aspects of paint processes for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier One suppliers. He is dedicated to implementing systems and tools that enhance energy efficiency, improve overall performance, and increase operational quality and productivity through lean manufacturing principles.

Strong connections to family and community are vital to Nelson and his professional work. He is passionate about helping others achieve their dreams and is guided by a commitment to serving his students and helping them envision a possible future.

Research Interest

  • Coating Technology
  • Industrial Process/Product Design & Improvement
  • Lean Manufacturing Systems and Processes
  • Sustainable Business Models in the Automotive Industry
  • Combustion and Fires

Education

  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky                                                                   
  • MBA., Executive, Jack Welch Management Institute, Strayer University                               
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of New Orleans                                                             
  • B.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, K.N. University of Science and Technology, Ghana       

Appointments

  • Department Chair, Department of Engineering Technology, University of Kentucky, 08/2021 – Present
  • Associate Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, University of Kentucky, 08/2021 – Present
  • Director, Institute of Research for Technology Development (IR4TD), University of Kentucky, 08/2021 – Present
  • Director, Undergraduate Production Engineering Certificate, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky. 07/2018 – Present
  • Faculty Fellow in the College of Engineering and Chair of the Engineering Technology Implementation Committee, University of Kentucky. 09/2019 – 7/2021
  • Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 08/2019 – 7/2021
  • Associate Research Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 07/2019 – 08/2019
  • Associate Director, Institute of Research for Technology Development (IR4TD), University of Kentucky, 01/2017 – 7/2021
  • Assistant Research Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 02/2011– 06/2019
  • Post-Doctoral Research Scholar, IR4TD, University of Kentucky, 01/2010 – 01/2011
  • Research Assistant, IR4TD, University of Kentucky, 09/2005 – 12/2009
  • Research Assistant, Energy Conversion and Conservation Center, University of New Orleans, 06/2003 – 8/2005
  • Mechanical Engineer, General Electric Power Systems, Schenectady, NY, 06/2002 – 05/2003
  • Research Assistant, Energy Conversion and Conservation Center, University of New Orleans, 01/2001 – 05/2002
  • Mechanical Engineer, Kumasi Institute of Technology, Energy, and Environment, Kumasi, Ghana, 8/2000 – 12/2000
  • Post-Bachelors Teaching Assistant in Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, 11/1999 – 07/2000