This week, we’re throwing back to the #WCWinSTEM days and revisiting our 2017 feature on Dr. Keturah Adams, an educator, researcher, leader and a trailblazer for women in STEM.
Back in 2016, we started the “Woman Crush Wednesday in STEM” library of articles on VanguardSTEM.com. Now we’re bringing those older features back to our main feed and giving you updates on what these STEM powerhouses are up to today.
Throwback to our conversation with Dr. Keturah Odoi — now Dr. Keturah Adams — back when she was carving her path in the world of science. Today, she’s an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, but our interview captures the passion and curiosity that have been her driving forces from the very start.
Responses may be edited for clarity and brevity.
Tell us about your childhood and your roots.
I was born in Ghana, West Africa, and moved to Oklahoma at fifteen. Let me tell you — stepping into a completely different culture at that age? It was a lot. I had to relearn how to learn. But over time, I realized that experience gave me a gift: the ability to think globally. I stopped seeing my life’s work as something bound by national borders. I saw science as a way to connect cultures.
My love for science — especially chemistry — was sparked at Aburi Girls’ Secondary School in Ghana. But it was at Southwestern Oklahoma State University that I saw that spark turn into a flame. I had mentors like Ms. Willingham, my high school AP Chem teacher, and Dr. Campbell, my college professor, who saw potential in me and poured into it.
That’s when I really understood: to be excellent, you need community. You need people willing to teach, challenge, and walk beside you.
That understanding shaped my journey, especially during my Ph.D. in Chemistry at Texas A&M University. While I was there, I served as the Student Chapter President for NOBCChE and as Campus Ministry Coordinator for Believers’ LoveWorld (BLW). Those experiences stretched me and pushed me to create something bigger than myself.
That “something” became Harutek — a mentorship initiative for undergraduate chemistry students in Africa who want to pursue graduate degrees in the U.S. Through Harutek, I use chemistry as a tool to bridge cultures and expand what’s possible for students who look like me. It’s about building a pipeline — one rooted in brilliance, resilience, and global possibility.
What do you do, and how has life changed since you were last featured?
In 2017, I completed my PhD in Chemistry from Texas A&M University. My dissertation focused on cancer epigenetics — specifically, understanding how protein modifications influence the development of cancer. I engineered molecules that mimic biological protein modifications to study their functions in complex systems. Think of it as decoding the tiny but powerful switches that can flip cancer on or off.
I’m excited about the possibility of continuing this work — making space for discovery, for impact, and for more voices like mine to be part of the conversation.
As of 2025, Dr. Adams is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in the Chemistry & Physics Department at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU).
What makes you passionate about STEM?
I’ve always been curious about how things work, really work on the molecular level. That curiosity grew into a calling. I wanted mastery, and I wanted to use that mastery to help others find their path in STEM. Whether it’s mentoring students or decoding proteins, my “why” has always been tied to a sense of purpose. I do this because representation matters, and because knowledge should be a shared tool, not a solitary achievement.
Why do you think it’s important to highlight women of color in STEM?
Because we’re here. And we’ve been here. However, without visibility, our presence can feel like an anomaly rather than the norm. When I was coming up, seeing women like Sharon Haynie, Talitha Mayo, and Keisha Wilson McDowell — women who looked like me — achieving at the highest levels of science? It was everything.
Their stories helped me believe in my own. That’s why we have to tell these stories. Every life chapter shared by a woman of color in STEM makes the next chapter more accessible for someone else.
Tell us something you’re interested in outside of STEM…
I’m a foodie at heart. I love exploring flavors from different cultures. Food connects people in a way that’s both universal and deeply personal. I’m also on a journey of fully embracing my natural hair, and that’s been powerful. And when I get the chance? You’ll catch me on the volleyball court. I played in high school, and the game still brings me joy.
You can follow Dr. Keturah Adams on Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Thank you, Keturah, for showing us what brilliance, vision, and mentorship in STEM look like. We applaud you for the achievements you have made and the path you have carved for all the women who aspire to be in STEM!
Copyright © 2017 by The SeRCH Foundation. Consider making a donation to support our work.
Throwback Community Feature: Keturah Adams, PhD was originally published in VanguardSTEM Conversations on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.