Dr Gladys Ngetich Chepkirui, an award-winning Kenyan aerospace engineer, came to the limelight after earning a PhD from the University of Oxford at just 28 years old—without ever pursuing a master’s degree.
While studying engineering at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Ngetich said she had never met a woman with a PhD in engineering or even someone in their twenties who had one.
Having no family or friends who had pursued doctoral studies, she always assumed that PhDs were reserved for older, brilliant men.
How Ngetich Earned a PHD without a Master’s Degree
But a simple suggestion from a classmate shifted her perspective. “Why don’t you apply directly for a PhD?” the classmate asked. Curious and with little to lose, she decided to explore the possibility.
Dr Gladys emailed a professor of turbomachinery at the University of Oxford to inquire if skipping a master’s and proceeding directly to PhD studies was even possible.
The professor requested a brief Skype interview and asked her to send her CV and transcripts.
Having never used Skype before, Gladys accidentally emailed both her Skype ID—and her password. The professor gently corrected her, laughing off the mistake and proceeding with the interview.
During the call, the professor was impressed by her academic excellence and depth of understanding.
He told her: “Given your excellent grades and your deep understanding of foundational concepts, you’re ready for a PhD. Come look for me when you report at Oxford in Autumn.”
Dr. Ngetich said that, just like that, she landed her PhD advisor, short-circuited her academic journey by pursuing a PhD without a master’s degree, and earned her doctorate from the University of Oxford at just 28 years old.
Growing up in the tiny village of Amalo, Kuresoi South Constituency, Nakuru County, Chepkirui scored 298 marks in her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations.
However, she was not able to secure direct admission as per the government standards, and her mother had to move from school to school seeking her admission.
She later attended Mercy Girls’ Secondary School in Kericho and excelled academically.
“If I hadn’t pursued excellence, none of this would have happened,” she reflects. “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.”
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Academic Path and Achievements
Dr Ngetich joined the University of Oxford in 2015 and completed her PhD in 2019.
She earned a DPhil in Engineering Science (Aerospace), funded by the Rhodes Scholarship, from the University of Oxford, where she researched advanced techniques for cooling jet engines.
While at Oxford, she was actively involved in Oxford University Athletics and played for Chch/Oriel Women Soccer.
She holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University in Kenya (2010–2014).
In 2013, she was awarded the Babaroa Excellence Award for being the best student in her class.
In 2015, she secured a Rhodes Trust Scholarship for her PhD in engineering at Oxford, where she is reported to have combined her academic performance and leadership skills.
Additionally, in 2016, she was awarded the Tanenbaum Fellowship, which is an annual competitive fellowship awarded to Rhodes Scholars for a multifaceted program in Israel.
This also led to her being named the 2018 Skoll World Forum Fellow.
She is also the recipient of the Schmidt Fellow Award, which is given to the world’s best aspiring scientists who have a broad perspective, the ability to engage in an interdisciplinary way, and the potential to make a lasting impression on society.
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Ngetich’s Professional Career
Dr Gladys Ngetich has built a dynamic and impactful career that spans engineering, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and global consultancy.
As of January 2025, she works as a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Boston, USA.
She is also the founder and host of the GN Inspire Podcast, launched in March 2024, where she shares inspiring stories and practical resources with young professionals.
Since early 2024, she has served as a judge for the StartUpAfrica Innovation Olympiad and continues to run the Gladys Ngetich Foundation, which she founded in 2022 to mentor and empower students, especially young women.
Between 2022 and 2024, she co-founded and led SQDGO, a Nairobi-based mobility startup. SQDGO is a ride-hailing company focused on safety, affordability, and community impact.
Dr Ngetich was also a fellow at On Deck from 2021 to 2023 and a Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT from 2020 to 2022.
Her research formed a major part of a multi-year project on wax-based hybrid propellants to explore their potential as fuel for small satellites.
She also worked as an Engineering Tutor at the University of Oxford between 2016 and 2018. Ngetich tutored engineering undergraduates at Oriel College at the University of Oxford.
Her journey began in 2014 as a mechanical engineering intern at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort in Mombasa, Kenya.
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Congratulations Dr. Ngetich.
Your story is so inspiring, continue climbing the ladder.
Some of us also got their PhD at that age how do we get this a ward winning?
Very inspiring ????
Please get me the contact number / email address of Dr. Gladys Ng’etich. Her story has touched me
Wow I love this. Congratulations Dr
Congrats Dr
It will not be possible for a boy child! Sorry to say so – a young man would not receive such support from every corner!
Great information
Your story is highly inspiring. I would love to embark on a similar journey of obtaining my Ph.D without master’s degree. I studied Animal science in my first degree and I have PGDE in Education. I have over 15 years experience in teaching both in primary and secondary schools. I was considering going for my master’s before I came across your post.
Honest, I want to specialize in Animal genetics and breeding or animal nutrition.
An inspiring journey. But the skills will ge utilised elsewhere, when Kenya and Africa requires them most. Africa, please invest in education, not political mobilisation
What is said here and what is on Wikipedia are totally different things. Are we talking of the same person.
This is wonderful and encouraging. I’m pursuing my Integrated doctorate in Central Banking and Monetary Policy at East African Polytechnic College Kyambogo, Kampala-Uganda. Integrated MRes + PhD are now available here and my Institution offers them. 1 year is always for the masters of research (MRes) and 3 years for the doctorate (PhD). We no longer need to fly far away to look for these opportunities. They’re just with us here. I didn’t know until I found myself into the program. Those interested in this program can contact me for details through [email protected] or contact East African Polytechnic College Kyambogo directly through [email protected]. The programme is right here in Uganda.
UK has two pathways to PhD. First is the traditional Masters first then PhD. The second one is through Mphil/PhD. You start as a Master of philosophy for 2 years after which you make a case to transfer to PhD vide your progress made in your Mphil. If successful you graduate with a PhD without a Masters. This pathway is given to applicants with either first class honours or second class honours Upper division. Any one with this can take this PhD.
UK universities also offer Masters degrees without Bachelors degree to students with diplomas whose work experience can demonstrate that it cumulatively amounts to what a Bachelors would give in theory.
While I congratulate Dr Ngetich for this grand achievement, I’d also say it is a path open for many Kenyans who have first or second class upper division degree qualifications.
Eye opener.thank you.