Lighting the Path: Mercy Chelangat KOECH’s Journey from Rural Kenya to Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Mercy Chelangat Koech’s journey into the power and energy space clearly was not just technical; it was deeply personal. Raised in Kericho, Kenya, Koech experienced firsthand the everyday realities of limited energy access in rural communities. That early exposure planted the seed for a career built on purpose, persistence, and a bold vision for sustainable impact.
After earning her undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, Mercy joined Industrial Promotion Services, a venture firm supported by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. She worked on rural electrification projects, conducting feasibility studies in off-grid communities across Kenya.
“I saw the faces behind the energy data,” Koech shared. “Farmers, school kids, small business owners, real people whose lives changed with something as basic as a power connection. That exposure transformed a career path into calling.”
Her work with IEEE Smart Village, which provides electricity, education and enterprise to underserved areas, deepened that purpose. But she didn’t stop at identifying problems; she started thinking in systems. Koech observed that microgrids were often underutilized and began exploring electrified transportation as a means of boosting local productivity. That shift in perspective would eventually guide her toward her current research focus.
Today, Koech is pursuing her PhD in electrical engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas, working in the Renewable Energy and Vehicular Technology Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Babak Fahimi, professor of electrical engineering and Distinguished Chair in Engineering. Her research centers around next-generation electric vehicle systems, characteristics such as cutting-edge motor drives, power electronics and electric machines; all with an eye toward building more efficient and equitable mobility systems for the future.
From UTD to ORNL: A Leap Toward Innovation
This summer, Koech joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the U.S. Department of Energy’s largest science and energy research center as a research intern. She works with the Electric Drives Group at the National Transportation Research Center, focusing on electric motor designs for medium and heavy-duty trucks that reduce the use of rare earth materials.
“Rare earth elements are essential to many modern motors but come with supply chain, environmental, and geopolitical concerns,” she explained. “At ORNL, I’m working on ways to minimize or eliminate those elements without compromising performance.”
For Koech, this opportunity didn’t appear magically in her inbox. It was the result of tireless effort and strategic outreach.
“I applied to nearly a hundred internships,” she said candidly. “Then I met a fellow student who’d applied to over 500. That shifted my mindset.”
Koech began reaching out directly to professionals she’d met through conferences and networking events, building authentic connections, sharing her goals, and seeking guidance. For the ORNL role, she contacted a department head and gradually nurtured a relationship that led to her current internship.
Rooted in Resilience, Driven by Purpose
Koech’s story is one of research and resilience. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she’s experienced moments of invisibility and doubt but also moments of immense growth, thanks to mentors who believed in her.
“I’ve been fortunate to have amazing mentors, professors, IEEE colleagues, family and friends who remind me that I belong here,” she reflected.
She’s also committed to lifting others as she climbs. Koech serves on the IEEE Power & Energy Society Governing Board, mentors aspiring African engineers and even launched a podcast to elevate stories in electrification and sustainability. Her passion for storytelling shines as brightly as her technical drive.
“If someone like me who once never imagined doing a PhD can get this far, then others can too,” she said. “Where you start should never define where you can go.”
What’s Next? Bridging Industry, Impact and Innovation
Looking ahead, Mercy plans to work in industry post-graduation, while maintaining ties with academia and social entrepreneurship. One of her long-term goals is to return to a startup idea focused on helping African students access global education opportunities.
“I want to build bridges between continents, between disciplines, between dreams and reality, “she said.
Mercy’s Advice to Students:
- Persistence Pays Off: Every rejection is a redirection. Keep going.
- Build Relationships: Authentic networking opens doors.
- Stay Open to Change: Be curious. Your path can evolve.
- Lead with Purpose: Let your values guide your work.
- Lift as You Climb: Share your journey – you never know who needs to hear it.
From rural Kenya to ORNL, Koech is lighting the way not just for herself, but for a global community of dreamers, doers and difference-makers.