Whether keeping in touch with family across continents or designing systems to link billions of devices, Nathanael Danso-Ntiamoah is helping the world feel closer.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Ghana, and I moved to St. John’s in August 2022. The city and the province of Newfoundland stand out to me because of the deep sense of community amongst the people and the blend of scenic views of nature (Bonavista, Pippy Park, Signal Hill, and Quidi Vidi instantly come to mind) with the colourful buildings that illuminate the streets downtown.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

I’m an avid fan of soccer, football, and motor racing, so I enjoy watching the English Premier League, National Football League and Formula 1. I usually read a novel or play video games to wind down after a long day in the lab. During summer, I spend time outdoors exploring St. John’s or playing soccer with some friends, and I occasionally visit the cinema. Catching up with family and friends across the world is also something I enjoy doing.

Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?

My decision to pursue a graduate degree was a result of a number of factors. Since my childhood, my amazing parents—both of whom had a background in child education—were very consistent in reinforcing my curiosity. After they bought a telephone for our home, I was bedazzled by how that device helped me speak to loved ones at various cities in my country. There was only so much my parents could explain to me about the telephone’s operation. Consequently, I grew up with a strong quest to understand how the telephone worked, and that landed me in the pursuit of an undergraduate degree in telecommunication engineering. My final year of college was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this upheaval forced us to migrate nearly everything we did online. I had learnt about some underlying concepts of wireless communications during my undergraduate program and internships to understand how the telephone worked. One would have thought ‘Well, there’s your answer!” However, after observing how communications technologies had evolved to support the enormous demand for connectivity during the COVID-imposed restrictions, I sought to understand what the future of communication networks post-COVID would look like. Moreover, I wanted to be part of the community of researchers driving innovation in this field. A graduate degree offered the best pathway to achieving these goals.

Why did you choose Memorial University for your graduate studies?

Choosing Memorial University was barely a difficult decision. I had initial discussions with Prof. Octavia A. Dobre, who is a very renowned researcher in communications. An opportunity to study under Prof. Dobre’s supervision in a world-class research lab was directly in line with my ambitions. Additionally, I was excited at the chance to be tutored by some reputable members of Memorial’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. The location of the university in a relatively quiet city also appealed to me because it provided a serene environment for the rigours of graduate research.

What is your research/thesis about? How do you describe your research to a general audience with no background in the field?

My master’s thesis focused on designing receiver algorithms for next-generation wireless networks, and my Ph.D. research extends this work under the broader umbrella of technologies for future wireless networks. This research is supervised by Prof. Octavia A. Dobre and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Nahhal. Think of how we are able to speak to our loved ones in high-definition (HD) video quality, join classes, play video games, transact, and do almost everything over the internet today. This was not the case a couple of years ago. The advancements we have witnessed are due to the remarkable evolution in wireless communication networks. Nonetheless, these advancements have also led to a rapidly increasing number of connected devices: phones, laptops, computers, self-driving cars, immersive extended reality gadgets, and sensors. In my research, I am investigating frameworks for the future generation of wireless networks, which will ensure that all these devices can efficiently share the limited network resources for ultrahigh-speed connectivity, reliable communication, and precise sensing.

How would you describe your experience as a graduate student at Memorial?

I have had a well-rounded experience in my graduate program at Memorial, and I am grateful to be part of the Memorial community. Working closely with my supervisors, Prof. Octavia Dobre and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Nahhal, and one of my colleagues to publish our works in highly-cited, peer-reviewed journals has been a rewarding adventure. My supervisors have been fully involved in my progress. The weekly meetings we have always give me new insights for my research. Prof. Dobre and Dr. Al-Nahhal have demonstrated an unflinching commitment to my personal and professional development, and I am thankful for such exceptional supervisors. I conduct research in a world-class lab surrounded by very talented colleagues who have become lifelong friends, paving the way for collaborations in future. In addition to my lab colleagues, I have made a number of friends from various countries and backgrounds, exposing me to different cultures and social orientations. In the classroom, the professors deliver the course material in a comprehensive manner, and gladly welcome questions. This experience has facilitated a good connection between the courses I took and my research. The staff at the Engineering Graduate Office and Internationalization Office have also been very supportive. They always warmly welcome me to their offices and take the time to address every concern I approach them with.

What scholarships or awards have you received?

I was a recipient of the MUN School of Graduate Studies Scholarships for the M.Eng. and Ph.D. programs (2022 and 2025, respectively),  the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Graduate Scholarship (March 2025), and the title of “Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies” (April 2025).

Have you faced any challenges in life that you’ve overcome to pursue graduate studies?

The biggest challenge for me was leaving behind my family and the friends with whom I grew up and shared many wonderful memories. I have missed a couple of milestones and anniversaries because circumstances did not allow me to be there in person. However, thanks to the advancements in telecommunications, it is way easier to video call and stay connected with loved ones, which makes things a bit better. Adjusting to the climate in my first winter was quite difficult, especially since I was coming from a country with a tropical climate. However, 3 years on, I think I have fully adjusted to the “tricky” St. John’s weather.

What career path are you interested in pursuing after graduation?

I intend to pursue a career in the wireless communications research and development (R&D) industry. Specifically, I want to apply the knowledge, skills and experience I would gain at the end of my graduate program to contribute to the design of cutting-edge technology for global, ultrahigh-speed internet access.

What advice would you give to current or future graduate students?

First, surround yourselves with a good support system. Graduate studies are an onerous task, and more often than not, we draw strength from the support of our community of supervisors, colleagues, family, and friends. I’m a product of the support and care of many wonderful individuals in my life, and I would recommend having such a coterie to any graduate student.

Next, be patient and learn from every experience. My journey so far has taught me that graduate research demands a lot of perseverance. There are days when we feel very accomplished because the research produces desired outcomes, and those frustrating spells when the results do not meet our expectations. Research is a continuous activity, and a researcher’s best asset, in my opinion, is experience. It is, therefore, important to always keep a calm head, stay patient and constantly learn from every stage of our progress.

Finally, believe in yourself. Graduate school isn’t only a test of our intellect; it also tests our self-belief. It is normal that some experiences will make us question our progress. Even though we won’t know everything, we need to trust in ourselves that we can learn anything so long as we apply the right attitude. Growth can be a struggle sometimes—but with the self-belief, commitment and support of those around us, we’ll notice we’re getting closer to where we want to be.

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