Dipuo Motshwari is a biomedical scientist and Senior Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council. Her research focuses on genetic and epigenetic drivers of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related non-communicable diseases among African populations, with the aim of developing affordable, population-specific tools for early detection and prevention. She is part of the CKD in Africa Collaboration, manages a research biobank, and chairs the African Federation of Clinical Chemistry Young Scientists Task Force, supporting capacity building and collaborations across the continent.

Eugenie Kayitesi is a food scientist, who is trying to improve nutrition, diet diversity and food security in Africa developing unique products from underutilized food sources, as well as improving their nutritional composition and health promoting constituents. The core of her research relates to indigenous, underutilized African plant-based foods, such as legumes, cereals, green leafy vegetables and fruits. Her work has highlighted the importance of using readily available and affordable food crops to create food products with improved nutritional, functional and sensory quality.

Maria Nelago Kanyama is a UKUDLA Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of the Western Cape. She holds a PhD in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunications, and a Master’s degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering. In her research, she applies artificial intelligence and data-driven systems to address challenges in water management, climate resilience, food systems, and critical infrastructure. Her work integrates advanced machine learning techniques with questions of governance, ethics, and public-interest outcomes, with a strong focus on real-world deployment in resource-constrained settings. Drawing on experience in safety-critical environments and community-oriented research, Maria works toward developing inclusive and trustworthy technologies that support sustainable decision-making. Alongside her research, she contributes to capacity building and inclusive innovation as a founding member of Women in AI Namibia, where she supports the growth of diverse and responsible AI ecosystems.

Mokgadi is a self-professed environmental activist with a PhD in Chemistry. She completed her BTech and MTech degrees in Chemistry, both with cum laude, showcasing her dedication and academic excellence. Her research focuses on sustainable strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on medicinal plants.

Dr. Simangele Shakwane is a registered nurse, midwifery practitioner and health sciences educator. She obtained her BA in nursing sciences from UNISA in 2011, including her postgraduate qualifications (MA 2015 and PhD 2018). She is a senior lecturer in the Department of Health Studies at UNISA. She has developed a model for teaching intimate care to nursing students. She is currently doing a postdoctoral research project on implementing the mentioned model and collaborating with the National Research Foundation (NRF) for three years (2022-2024). She advocates for transformative knowledge of the touched body with emphasis on respect and integrity of the human body regardless of their diversity (gender, culture and religion).

Tumai is a PhD candidate at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, advancing African precision public health through integrated disease modelling using machine learning. Her research develops Africa-specific cardiometabolic disease risk prediction models that challenge Eurocentric approaches, which leave African populations underserved by global health innovation. As DS-I Africa Partnership and Outreach Working Group Co-chair (2026), she fosters collaborations between the consortium and key data science players across Africa. She is also passionate about mentoring young scientists.