When Dr. Gladys Ngetich Chepkirui began her doctoral journey at Oxford, she carried a story of courage, faith, and unyielding ambition.
At just 28 years old, Ngetich earned her PhD in Engineering Science, without ever enrolling for a master’s degree. Making her one of the youngest and most unconventional scholars to achieve this feat at Oxford.
Raised in Amalo village, Kuresoi South, Nakuru County, Dr. Ngetich’s academic journey began with humble origins. Despite scoring 298 marks in her KCPE exams and facing challenges securing a secondary school placement, her mother’s determination ensured she joined Mercy Girls’ Secondary School in Kericho.
Excelling academically, Ngetich went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Dr. Gladys Ngetich Chepkirui stated that she once believed that a doctorate was the domain of older, exceptionally gifted men, however that perception changed when a classmate encouraged her to apply directly for a PhD.
Acting on the suggestion, she emailed a turbomachinery professor at Oxford,ccidentally including her Skype password in the process. Amused but impressed by her stellar academic record and evident talent, the professor invited her to join Oxford, a step that earned her a Rhodes Scholarship and a DPhil in Aerospace Engineering.
At Oxford, Dr. Ngetich’s research focused on advanced cooling techniques for jet engines. Her academic journey was decorated with prestigious fellowships and awards, including the Babaroa Excellence Award, Rhodes Trust Scholarship, Tanenbaum Fellowship, Skoll World Forum Fellow, and the Schmidt Fellow Award. She also represented Oxford in athletics and women’s soccer, showcasing her dynamic spirit beyond the laboratory.
Beyond Academia: Leadership, Innovation, and Giving Back
Dr. Ngetich’s career is a testament to versatility,spanning engineering, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and consulting. As of January 2025, she works with Boston Consulting Group in Boston, USA. She is the founder and host of GN Inspire Podcast, a platform uplifting young professionals, and leads the Gladys Ngetich Foundation, where she mentors students,especially young women. She also serves as a judge for the StartUpAfrica Innovation Olympiad and is a co-founder of SQDGO, a Nairobi-based ride-hailing startup.
Her research journey included a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT, where she worked on innovative satellite propellants, and a fellowship at On Deck.
She began her career in 2014 as a mechanical engineering intern at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort in Mombasa.
A Philosophy Rooted in Faith and Excellence
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Ngetich says, “When you don’t have anyone in high places to speak your name or open doors for you, your best bet is to take a chance on excellence, God, and a bit of luck.”
From a small village in Nakuru to the world’s top academic and corporate institutions, Dr. Gladys Ngetich’s inspiring journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-belief, and the courage to ask bold questions—and pursue the answers.
