NSMQ Champion, Benjamin Nketsiah, Earns Top Honour In The US For An AI Breakthrough In Breast Cancer Detection

 Benjamin Nketsiah, a member of the winning team of Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School in the 2020 National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ), has been recognised with the prestigious Honors Giving Back Award at Michigan State University in the United States of America.

Benjamin Nketsiah

In an exclusive interview with the NSMQ Communications team, Benjamin opened up about his award-winning project, “She’s Strong,” a digital AI-driven platform designed to improve early detection of triple-negative breast cancer among West African women. Reflecting on the significance of the award, Nketsiah described it as both a personal and academic milestone.

Congratulations on receiving the award. What does this recognition mean to you personally and academically?

This award is a reminder that small but intentional steps can create meaningful impact. Personally, it affirms my commitment to serving others through science and innovation. Academically, it reinforces that research should not just generate knowledge but translate into solutions that improve lives. It pushes me to keep aligning my work with real-world impact.

Can you tell us the inspiration behind your project, “She’s Strong”? What problem were you aiming to solve?

In the summer of 2024, I worked at Henry Ford Health, where I became aware of the disproportionate prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer among women of West African ancestry. That experience brought the reality of the problem closer to home. I founded She’s Strong as a solution to the gap I saw between medical knowledge and access, especially for women at risk of aggressive cancers. Many women are diagnosed late, not because solutions do not exist, but because access, awareness, and early risk identification are limited.

In collaboration with my team, I set out to build a digital health platform that brings early risk assessment, symptom tracking, and education directly to individuals, bridging the gap between patients and care before it is too late.

Benjamin in a group picture with some of his fellow awardees

Why did you choose to focus specifically on triple-negative breast cancer among West African women?

Triple-negative breast cancer disproportionately affects women of West African ancestry and is often more aggressive with fewer targeted treatment options. During my research and clinical exposure, I saw how this disparity plays out in real life, including late diagnoses, limited screening, and worse outcomes.

For Ghanaians specifically, the prevalence is among the highest globally. For me, this was not just an academic decision. It was personal. It felt like a responsibility to focus on a problem that directly affects my own people. If we understand where the burden is greatest, that is where innovation should begin.

How does your use of digital AI improve detection compared to existing methods?

Traditional detection depends heavily on access to hospitals and routine screenings, which many people do not consistently have. Our platform shifts detection earlier, before symptoms become severe. Users can take a simple risk assessment that is based on a clinically verified model of breast cancer detection known as the Tyrer-Cuzick model.

I tailored the survey to include culturally tailored questions for Ghanaians and West Africans.

Using AI, we integrate personal risk factors, family history, and reported symptoms to identify patterns in real time. Users can also connect to local clinicians with the app. Instead of waiting for the healthcare system, the system comes to the patient.

It transforms detection from reactive to proactive, which is especially critical for aggressive cancers like triple-negative breast cancer.

What were some of the major challenges you encountered while developing this project?

One of the biggest challenges was balancing scientific rigor with accessibility. It is easy to build something technically advanced, but much harder to make it usable across different populations and healthcare systems.

Another challenge was trust. When you are dealing with health data, people need to feel confident in how their information is handled. That required intentional design around privacy and transparency.

Building across continents also came with logistical and resource challenges, but those pushed me to think more creatively and build more adaptable solutions.

You described the project as a way of “giving back”. How important is community impact in your work?

Community impact is central. It is not an add-on, it is the purpose. Research without impact can remain theoretical, but impact ensures that knowledge actually improves lives.

For me, giving back means taking the opportunities and education I have received and using them to address real problems, especially in communities that are often overlooked. That is what gives work meaning.

Benjamin in a tête-à-tête with some of his colleagues

How did your experience on the NSMQ stage shape your academic journey and interest in research?

The National Science and Math Quiz taught me how to think under pressure, approach problems critically, and stay intellectually curious.

I remember learning about early scientists and their contributions. Their work was fascinating, and at the time I did not imagine I would one day be part of that process. NSMQ exposes students to both the breadth and depth of science in a way that naturally sparks curiosity.

That mindset translated directly into research, where asking the right questions is often more important than having immediate answers.

In what ways did your time at PRESEC and participation in the 2020 NSMQ influence your current achievements?

Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School instilled a culture of discipline, excellence, and curiosity in me. Being part of the 2020 NSMQ team pushed me to operate at a high level and believe in what was possible.

Preparing for the quiz required sacrifice. We often gave up vacations to stay in school and train. That experience-built resilience and taught me how to collaborate effectively under pressure.

When I got to college, much of my first year felt like a continuation of what we had already built during that preparation. It also gave me confidence in public speaking and reinforced the importance of deeply understanding concepts and not just memorizing them.

What role has Michigan State University played in supporting your research and development?

Michigan State University has been instrumental in my journey. From the beginning, I had access to opportunities such as becoming a professorial research assistant, which set the foundation for my growth.

MSU has provided mentorship, research platforms, and opportunities to connect with clinicians, researchers, and alumni who are invested in my work. Being part of Dean’s Research Scholars program has also helped me refine how I communicate with my research, which is just as important as the research itself. I am genuinely grateful for the support I have received.

What message would you like to share with current NSMQ contestants and young students in Ghana who aspire to follow a similar path?

Start where you are but think beyond where you are. The knowledge you are gaining now is powerful, but its true value lies in how you use it to solve real problems.

Stay curious, stay disciplined, and do not limit yourself to what seems immediately possible. Opportunities may not always be visible at first, but consistent effort creates access.

Most importantly, remember that your work can extend far beyond you. It can impact communities, countries, and even the world.

Stories like these reaffirm the impact of the NSMQ in shaping minds that go on to transform lives beyond Ghana’s borders. Stay tuned to our platforms for more inspiring updates.

The National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by the Ghana Education Service (GES).