Title: Senior Materials Engineer
Company: SLB
Location: TX/USA
Education: PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, Queen Mary University of London (2024); MS, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania (2013); BS, Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2011)
Career History: Senior Materials Engineer, SLB (Formerly Schlumberger) (2024-Present); PhD Researcher, Queen Mary University of London (2019-2024); Materials Engineer, SLB (2016-2019); Completions Field Engineer, SLB (2014-2015); Graduate Research Assistant, Laboratory of Professor Karen Winey (2012-2013); Summer Intern, SLB (2012-2014); Summer Intern, SLB (2011); Student Intern, SLB (2010-2011); Summer Intern, Ferro Solutions (2008); Research Staff, Laboratory of Professor Angela Belcher, MIT (2008); Research Staff, Laboratory of Professor Robert S. Langer, MIT (2007-2008); Extern, Deutsche Bank (2008)
Dr. William Amoako Kyei-Manu, Senior Materials Engineer at SLB, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of engineering.
Born and raised in Ghana, Dr. Kyei-Manu’s professional path was shaped early by a passion for science and building things. Throughout high school, he developed a keen interest in chemistry and general science, which guided his educational choices. When he arrived in the United States in 2006, he earned degrees in materials engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—where he was part of the research staff across laboratories—and the University of Pennsylvania.
Over the last decade, Dr. Kyei-Manu has held internships and engineer roles at SLB, formerly Schlumberger, a global multinational oilfield services company; he’s excelled there as a senior materials engineer since 2024. In this capacity, he’s been active as an internal consultant for different products, focusing on elastomer and mechanic materials, failure analysis, experimental testing, and manufacturing and technical engineering support. Within his work, he marvels at the remarkable diversity of the field, highlighting the opportunity to tackle exciting challenges, the ability to engage in various industries, and the rewarding, hands-on involvement it encourages.
Beyond his primary work, Dr. Kyei-Manu considers his most distinguished achievement to be his mentorship of emerging engineers and scientists—a valuable opportunity for him to share knowledge and guide their professional journeys. Reflecting on his experiences early in his career, he recognizes how beneficial mentorships facilitated his progress, fueling his passion for supporting others. Before pursuing his PhD from Queens Mary University of London, which he ultimately attained in 2024, he mentored several interns and new engineers, collaborating with undergraduate and master’s students on their final-year projects. Most notably, one of the students he mentored achieved remarkable recognition by winning a Prestigious National Award for the Best Master’s Student Project in 2022, a great source of pride for him.
Looking toward the future, Dr. Kyei-Manu strives to extend his impact on the next generation on a broader scale, through publications and teaching opportunities. In addition, he wants to introduce STEM education in his home country of Ghana.