Meet the Speakers
Welcome and Preview of the Event | 14:00 BST
Victor Olufemi
Research Conference Organiser & Science Communication Editor at Youth STEM Matters
Victor is currently studying Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife. He is passionate about machine learning and A.I for good. Victor enjoys programming, meeting new people, swimming and watching movies.
Youth STEM Matters - A Year of Impact, Change and Milestones
Anne-Rosa Bilal
Co-Founder & Life Sciences Managing Editor at Youth STEM Matters
Anne-Rosa spends most of her time researching & writing about medical sciences, especially immunology and neuroimmunology. She aspires to help as many people as possible in her life, both in a research and clinical setting, hence why helping young people flourish at the forefront of scientific development at Youth STEM Matters has been an absolute marvel.
The Nexus Between Data and Health | 14:15 BST
Anita Makori
Data Analyst at the Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA-Africa)
Anita is a Science graduate with a specialization in Epidemiology and Biostatistics who is interested in the application of data science and statistical principles in the study, control, and prevention of infectious diseases. She works with CEMA-Africa as a data analyst and the Washington State University Global Health-Kenya program as a research assistant.
Climate Change, Extreme Events and Actions We Can Take 14:25 BST
Emma Yule
PhD Researcher & Tutor, University of Edinburgh
Emma is a PhD researcher and tutor. She researches extreme weather and climate events and their causes and consequences as well as investigating methods of conducting risk assessments for adaptation decision making. She is interested in the climate justice particularly in relation to adaptation to extremes. She is co-chair of the Leaders Network at 2050 Climate Group, a trustee at SCCAN and is co-creator of the SDG Research Network.
The Afterlife of Solar Panels | 14:45 BST
Mahashri Ranjith Kumar
Climate activist and High School Student
Mahashri is a high school student from India. She's currently researching different STEM solutions to mitigate climate change by studying weather patterns and their effects on renewable energy. Her current project revolves around the unseen side of solar panels, about which she's written an article for The Wire Science. She has previously also been a panelist at the United Nations' COP26.
Get Involved - Write an Article | 14:55 BST
Samiksha Manoharan
Science Communication Editor at Youth STEM Matters
Samiksha is a Grade 12 student studying in Singapore. During her free time, she love to read, write, draw and watch sci-fi movies. She is also interested in topics such as climate change, wildlife, psychology, and technology.
Break - 15:05-15:10 BST
The Science of Cleaning Up Groundwater | 15:10 BST
Dr Kristen Thoreson
Vice President of Quality & Process Improvement at REGENESIS
Dr. Thoreson serves as the Vice President of Quality and Process Improvement at REGENESIS, where she manages and evaluates their company-wide quality processes and continuous improvement activities to ensure consistency and reliability in product quality, performance, and service. Prior to this role, Dr. Thoreson served as the Vice President of Research of Development for REGENESIS and Land Science, where she led the development and implementation of many numerous products and technologies. Dr. Thoreson is an inventor on several issued patents and is a frequent speaker at scientific industry events. Before joining REGENESIS, she spent time as a postdoctoral associate at Helmholtz Zentrum, the German Research Center for Environmental Health, in Münich, Germany. Dr. Thoreson is trained as a chemist and was instrumental in the development and award of a number of US patents. She earned her B.S. in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, and her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Before joining REGENESIS, she spent time as a postdoctoral associate at Helmholtz Zentrum, the German Research Center for Environmental Health, in Münich, Germany.
Youth Presentation 3 | 15:10 BST
Sainath Manikandan
Environmentalist, Green Activist and High School Student
Sainath Manikandan studying in Grade 10 at GEMS United Indian School is an aspiring environmentalist and an active member of the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) and ambassador of Masdar Youth4Sustainability, Tunza Eco Generation, Students for the Earth (SfE), Drop It Youth (DIY) with the main aim of raising environmental awareness about single-use plastic pollution and encouraging individuals and organizations to reduce their CO2 emissions through simple everyday choices.
Q+A - Youth in Research & Innovation | 15:20 BST
Blessed Kutyauripo
Copy-Editor at Youth STEM Matters
Blessed is a young scientist who is very much intrigued by science, mechanical engineering especially. He strives to improve energy in his community and better energy sustainability around the world. In 2022, Blessed was a finalist in Zimbabwe Science Fair, and recently, alongside his teammate, represented Zimbabwe at TISSEF (Terra International Students Science and Engineering Fair), where he won an award in the Special Awards category for their project “The Electric Step”. Blessed’s hobbies and skills include playing tennis, music (drumming and singing), pencil art and poetry writing.
Chaired By:
Tatenda Murigo
Research Conference Organiser at Youth STEM Matters
Tatenda Murigo is a Science Communicator passionate about promoting science education and engagement in Africa through the pillars of SDG 4. She expresses a keen interest in biotechnology, drone technology, immunology and health technology. She serves as a Member of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Trainee Leadership Committee and is the Head of Communications at Sila Health.
Get Involved - Join the Volunteer Team | 15:45 BST
Mhairi McCann
Founder & CEO at Youth STEM 2030
Mhairi is Youth STEM 2030’s Founder & CEO. Based in Inverclyde, Scotland, she has a strong belief in the positive difference young people can make to our world through STEM. Mhairi was named one of the UK’s Top 50 Women in Sustainability in 2020 and is currently part of the Steering Group of SDG Network Scotland. When she’s not creating STEM opportunities for young people, she can usually be found volunteering.
Yara Obeidi
Editor-in-Chief at Youth STEM Matters
Yara Obeidi is a Palestinian-Canadian student passionate about psychology and social advocacy. Besides being the Editor-in-Chief of Youth STEM Matters, she leads a youth neuroscience group called Synapse Society with Stimulus NGO. As well, she is currently one of six Youth Engagement Advisors in Canada on behalf of Cuso International, where she works on improving international development in accordance with the United Nations' SDGs. Yara loves learning about different cultures and is proficient in four languages.
Break - 16:00-16:15 BST
Welcome Back | 16:15 BST
Thu Nguyen Anh
Research Conference Organiser & Copy-Editor at Youth STEM Matters
Thu is a high school student from Vietnam. She is passionate about the intersection between policy and environmental science, human rights, and education, among others. Outside of school, Thu enjoys doing research, hiking, experimenting with music and reading. She can also be seen roaming around Hanoi with her friends, savoring some of the best foods!
STEM Careers Options: Research to Industry Transition
16:20 BST
Dr Andrea Catalina Fajardo
Responsible Sourcing Specialist at ContiTech AG in Hanover, Germany
Dr Andrea Catalina Fajardo studied Chemical Engineering and worked several years in different chemical plants in production, technology development, waste management, EH&S. Afterwards, she got an MSc. in Environmental Protection and Agricultural Food Production in Germany and a Ph.D. in climate adaptation and agriculture. Andrea co-founded Climate Hub Hamburg to bring more awareness about our climate and social justice crisis and science communication. Currently, she works in industry to bring more sustainability on the automotive sector.
Empowering Youth for Climate Action | 16:35 BST
Shahed Debiat
Enthusiastic Highschooler and Climate Activist
Shahed is a curious and ambitious teen, she spends her time learning about Astro-physics, biology and chemistry. She loves to be an active role in society, participate in volunteering and make friends, in her free time Shahed enjoys swimming, playing the piano and reading books.
Omar Kaziz
A Syrian Environmental & Humanitarian Activist, a Sophomore student based in the US
Omar is a young climate and humanitarian activist from Syria that has launched and co-founded multiple movements and projects that had the role of advancing awareness and youth engagement in the MENA region. He founded Guardians of Nature, an environmental global youth movement that started back in 2019, with more than 150 volunteers today. He is a political science and global studies double-major in his second year at Salve Regina University in the United States, and he’s looking forward to working in the field of international relations.
Ali Ayoub
Highschool Student, Environmental and Humanitarian Activist
Ali is a leadership member of Guardians of Nature and C.E.O of Seedlings of Youthful Hope. He is a volunteer and facilitator at many global and local organizations like Girl Up Syria, FADA Association, Angelic Association of Anis Saade, Syrian Family Planning Association, and others.
Get Involved - Submit a Project | 16:50 BST
Lorraine Cheng
Physical Sciences Reviewer at Youth STEM Matters
Lorraine is a high school student in Hong Kong. She’s passionate about science, from cosmology to particle physics, mathematics and computer science, and she’s currently researching quantum circuits. She’s excited to be a part of the Youth STEM Matters community for change, and she’s always up for a good philosophical discussion or a hard science-fiction novel.
Alfie Davis
Life Sciences Reviewer at Youth STEM Matters
Alfie is year 13 student studying A Levels in biology, psychology, geography, and music! Next year he’ll be studying zoology at university and he is particularly interested in mammalian ethology and physiological ecology. Outside of STEM, Alfie is an open-water scuba diver, swimmer, and singer!
Isabelle Johnson
Physical Sciences Reviewer at Youth STEM Matters
Isabelle is an A-level student from Leeds, England. She is particularly interested in astrophysics and quantum mechanics, and is hoping to study physics at university. In her free time, Isabelle reads scientific magazines such as New Scientist, plays the piano and does crochet.
Break - 17:10-17:15 BST
Novel Materials for Solar Cells | 17:15 BST
Prof Michael Saliba
Solar Cell Researcher at the University of Stuttgart
Michael Saliba (@miliba01) is a Professor and the Director of the Institute for Photovoltaics (ipv) at Stuttgart University with a dual appointment at the Research Center Julich, Germany. His research (@SalibaLab) focuses on a deeper understanding of novel semiconductor materials such as perovskites for a sustainable energy future.
Awards Ceremony | 17:30 BST
Hosted by Mhairi McCann & Yara Obeidi
Closing Remarks | 17:55 BST
Iona Finney
Research Conference Organiser & Physical Sciences Reviewer at Youth STEM Matters
Iona is currently studying a range of different subjects for her GCSEs. She’s really interested in the physical sciences – especially astrophysics, cosmology and mechanical engineering. In her free time, she love to play hockey and netball, as well as doing some baking.