Meet the Speakers
Welcome | 14:00 BST
Zainab Khan
High School Student & Research Conference Organiser
Zainab is a high-school junior in Ontario, Canada. Though she is interested in all things STEM - she especially enjoys learning about using AI in the medical field . She is passionate about learning and applying scientific communication skills through writing and editing.
Video Screening: Our Message to Decision Makers
14:10 BST
How Animal-Free Dairy Could Change the Game
14:15 BST
Rania Hashim
Biotech Innovator and High School Student
Rania is a 14 year old alum innovator at The Knowledge Society, motivated by her vision of a cleaner, greener future - and making it a reality by learning and developing emerging technologies like cellular agriculture and biotechnology. She has done projects in the alt. protein space, AI/UX design and is currently working towards neurotech.
How sustainable is bioenergy? Evaluating the performance of bagasse and bioethanol energy in Pakistan | 14:30 BST
Hafiz Usman Ghani
Guest Researcher at Technical University of Denmark
Hafiz Usman Ghani is a guest researcher at Technical University of Denmark. His research interests include the life cycle assessment, absolute sustainability, and SDGs. He is developing innovative tools and indicators for sustainability based on scientific targets. He has a wide experience of research and development, strategic planning, and policy formulation for sustainable consumption and production including the circular economy.
Investigating the Perceptions of Food Retail Companies on Sustainability | 14:45 BST
Tiffany Gao
Sustainability Advocate and High School Student
Tiffany is a high school senior continually seeking ways to aid the environment. Feeling frustrated by ocean pollution, she created Devocean Foundation to spread her plastic reduction message. She also actively advocates through legislation, education, outreach, and research. She hopes to study in the environmental science field in college and enjoys skipping stones and solving puzzles in her free time.
Break - 15:00-15:05 BST
Influencing Change Through Science
15:05 BST
Dr. Tatenda Dalu
Lecturer of Water Management, University of Mpumalanga
Dr Tatenda Dalu is an expert in freshwater and estuarine ecology where he tests ecological theory aimed at understanding and developing approaches for solving diverse environmental problems. Dr Dalu is particularly interested in how ecological systems respond to environmental disturbance caused by anthropogenic impacts, hydroperiod and invasive species. Working with fellow ecologists, resource managers and policy makers often stimulates new directions for his research.
Scientific Research & Innovation Tackling the Climate Crisis Panel | 15:20 BST
Dr. Maina Muniafu
Researcher in Sustainable Resource Utilisation and Conservation
Maina holds a PhD in Botany and has been actively teaching and researching in the area of environmental sustainability (in particular the energy-water-food nexus) for the past 30 years. Currently developing a natural product center and medicinal plants database to support the health sciences program of USIU-A. He has carried out a variety of consultancies towards food security, climate change adaptations and water quality assessments.
Meigan Díaz Corona
Master's in Public Policy Candidate - NUS / Sustainable Development Advocate
Meigan graduated with honors from the Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, and is currently a Master's in Public Policy Candidate at the National University of Singapore. She served as Mexico’s Youth Delegate to the United Nations in New York for Sustainable Development issues, and is also the founder of the youth-led initiative “Involucratec” that empowers young people to develop sustainable development projects. Meigan was a recipient of MTV’s “Generation Change Award” in 2019.
Chaired By:
Dimple Amitha Garuadapuri
Research Conference Organiser & Physical Sciences Reviewer
Dimple is a high school student from southern California who enjoys playing tennis, spending time with family, and working on science & service related endeavours. She loves expanding her knowledge in a variety of scientific disciplines, especially by engaging in research. Dimple’s passions lie particularly with environmental engineering, the intersection between life sciences & technology, and empowering fellow youth!
Break - 15:55-16:15 BST
Using Technology to Create Sustainable Living
16:15 BST
Angela Busheska
Founder of EnRoute & Engineering Student
Angela Busheska is a 20-year-old Macedonian Climate Activist. She is a founder of EnRoute, an award-winning non-profit and app which helped over 60000 people to live more sustainably. She represents North Macedonia in the UN Youth Climate Delegation, and at the end of the day, she is an engineering and computer-science student at Lafayette College, exploring how to utilize tech for good.
Turning Your STEM Project into a Published Paper Q+A
16:30 BST
Jacqueline Prawira
Student Researcher and Developer of Sustainable Materials
Jacqueline Prawira is a high school senior and student researcher. For five years, she has focused on solving the plastic problem by upcycling everyday waste. She believes that a circular economy is key to a sustainable future. In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys reading, biking, and playing with her dog.
Learning How to Ask Nature to Solve Design Challenges
16:40 BST
Lex Amore
Communications Director, Biomimicry Institute
Lex Amore is Director of Partnerships and Advocacy at the Biomimicry Institute. She combines her background in biomimicry and communications to serve as a connective tissue between humans and the natural world. Lex works with media, organizations, brands, and influencers to enhance advocacy and engagement for nature-inspired design. Lex achieved her Master of Science degree in Biomimicry from Arizona State University in 2018 and has also received extensive training from the Climate Reality Leadership Program and LEED.
Planning Your First Science Communication Article
16:50 BST
Éimear Stephenson
Conservation Postgraduate and Head of Science Communication at Youth STEM Matters
Éimear is currently studying for an MSc in Biodviersity and Conservation at Trinity College Dublin. Her interests lie in ecology, animal behaviour, and palaeontology, and she is particularly enthused about field work, lab work and computer science! Éimear hopes to ultimately work in a field that uses multidisciplinary approaches to solve issues like climate change and biodiversity loss. She is also extremely passionate about youth activism and climate justice.
Break - 17:00-17:05 BST
Tailoring Climate Communication to Your Audience
17:05 BST
Ayesha Tandon
Climate Science Journalist at Carbon Brief
Ayesha is the science journalist at Carbon Brief – a UK based climate journalism and analysis group. She holds an MSci in Natural Sciences from the University of Exeter, and previously worked at the UK Met Office as a climate science communicator. In her free time she can be often found dancing or with her head buried in a book!
Joining the Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Team
17:15 BST
Mhairi McCann
Founder & CEO of 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.
How to Become Actors for Sustainability Transformation
17:25 BST
Prof. Helen Etchanchu
Co-director Communication and Organizing for Sustainability Transformations Chair, Montpellier Business School
Dr Helen Etchanchu is Associate Professor and Co-director of the Communication and organizing for sustainability transformations Chair at Montpellier Business School. Her research explores the roles of language, meaning and legitimation dynamics in the sustainability transformation of our societies. She is Co-founder of OS4Future, an academic movement for climate action.
Call to Climate Action
17:40 BST
Aminta Permpoonwiwat
Sustainability Advocate, High School Student & Research Conference Organiser
Aminta is an 11th Grade student in Thailand who is passionate about neuroscience, biology, and psychology. Whenever she's free, Aminta loves to read books, watch movies, and play the piano. Last month, Aminta represented Thailand at the #Youth4Climate pre-COP26 event in Italy!
Closing Remarks
17:50 BST
Kimberly Anindo
Environmentalist, Criminal Justice Undergraduate & Research Conference Organiser
Kimberly is a recent Criminal Justice graduate of USIU-A. She is passionate about justice in whatever form it chooses to take. Her interest in environmentalism has brought her to Youth STEM Matters where she is currently part of the copy-editing team. Kimberly hope to encourage young voices globally to speak up for what they believe in and find ways to get involved in manner of conversations; from political to social and whatever lies inbetween.