Dr. GP LeBourdais is the Head of Partnerships at Polygence.org, an international mentorship programs that empowers students to turn their passions into research projects. Polygence is delighted to be a sponsor of the ASBF festival this year, and is completing a semester long collaboration with Knowledge Chikundi and the students of Queen Elizabeth High School.
Ruvarashe Moyo is a young and ambitious researcher working to contribute to the sustainable development of her society. She is the Co-founder and CEO of Junior Space Explorers, an organisation that seeks to improve lives, inspire and fulfil curiosity in children of all ages through space exploration. She is a member of the Youth Empowerme
Ruvarashe Moyo is a young and ambitious researcher working to contribute to the sustainable development of her society. She is the Co-founder and CEO of Junior Space Explorers, an organisation that seeks to improve lives, inspire and fulfil curiosity in children of all ages through space exploration. She is a member of the Youth Empowerment Council. In 2022, Ruvarashe was an ISEF finalist and Gold medalist in the Zimbabwe Science Fair. In 2021 she was a SIP intern at the University of California Santa Cruz. She also won gold medal in Zimbabwe Science Fair, Bronze medal in the Genius Olympiad and Gold medal in ASBF in the science communication category. In 2020 she a Broadcom Masters International Delegate for Zimbabwe and also a Bronze medalist in the Innovation category at ASBF.
Raja GuhaThakurta is a Professor and Department Chair of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). His research is on galaxies – their structure and dynamics, dark matter content, cannibalism history, chemical enrichment, etc. He is the founder and faculty director of UCSC's Science Internship Program.
Raja GuhaThakurta is a Professor and Department Chair of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). His research is on galaxies – their structure and dynamics, dark matter content, cannibalism history, chemical enrichment, etc. He is the founder and faculty director of UCSC's Science Internship Program. He and his colleagues have recently launched the Creating Equity in STEAM (CrEST) umbrella of programs, including the Shadow the Scientists program.
Nyaradzo Mutiti is an 18 year old Zimbabwean innovator and scientific researcher. She is a Sixth Former at St George's College. Nyaradzo is the CEO of Quasar Makers, an organisation that aims to kindle science curiosity. She has been a finalist in some of the most prestigious science fairs such as Regeneron ISEF, the Zimbabwe Science Fair
Nyaradzo Mutiti is an 18 year old Zimbabwean innovator and scientific researcher. She is a Sixth Former at St George's College. Nyaradzo is the CEO of Quasar Makers, an organisation that aims to kindle science curiosity. She has been a finalist in some of the most prestigious science fairs such as Regeneron ISEF, the Zimbabwe Science Fair and the Africa Science Buskers Festival. She enjoys reading scientific journals and watching true crime documentaries.She aspires to become a chemical engineer and to ignite the passion and love for Science in children.She is tackling some of the world's pressing issues one hypothesis at a time.
I grew up in Harare and was blessed to spend a lot of time in the bush. I finished school and pursued an undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing in Perth, Australia. In my early 30s, I realised I needed to focus my energy where my passion is, on working towards finding harmony between humanity and the amazing planet we inhabi
I grew up in Harare and was blessed to spend a lot of time in the bush. I finished school and pursued an undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing in Perth, Australia. In my early 30s, I realised I needed to focus my energy where my passion is, on working towards finding harmony between humanity and the amazing planet we inhabit. I discovered the University for Peace in Costa Rica and studied a Masters in Environment, Development and Peace specialising in Sustainable Natural Resource Management.
My background is varied, I have dabbled in digital marketing and cared for elderly people in the UK for many years while travelling around Europe during my time off. I have an adventurous and curious spirit. I seek always to learn.
The present brings me to an amazing adventure working on a start-up called Mukana Sustainable Development Ltd which aspires to make sustainable solutions affordable and accessible to Zimbabweans from all walks of life.
The love of science pulsates in her, trailing back to elementary school where she discovered science was torch at the end of the tunnel for her people. Ever since Memory has made novel attempts at addressing sanitation and energy issues by endeavoring in various projects that pierce these problems. Litter was a major concern and nuisance
The love of science pulsates in her, trailing back to elementary school where she discovered science was torch at the end of the tunnel for her people. Ever since Memory has made novel attempts at addressing sanitation and energy issues by endeavoring in various projects that pierce these problems. Litter was a major concern and nuisance in her community, inspiring her diaper cleaning machine that ensured the reuse of disposable diapers and catalyzed their degradability. Her studies in school seeped into her problem solving ideas birthing her enzyme rechargeable battery that sought to aid households in her community during frequent load shedding schemes. She was eager to solve issues that impacted her people and community and became the brainchild of yet another project of a light reflecting windscreen.
She exuded her love for science in fairs, exhibitions and competitions earning recognition from various science based organizations, medals and opportunities to represent her country at some of the world’s biggest competitions, the Regeneron ISEF, the Genius Olympiad to name but a few. Her scientific journey unlocked other fields of immense passion. Having noted limited number of women in this field, she began looking into matters that impacted women and devoted herself to voicing these issues through poetry and prose which came with recognition and awards but nothing nearly as satisfactory as having their concerns addressed. This vicious drive led to her newfound organization, the Kure Kwegava foundation, that seeks to “plunge education back into the African child.”
Aluwaine Manyonga electrical engineering graduate from University of Zimbabwe . Aluwaine is the developer of Chigubhu Lantern an LED lantern made from electronic waste and housed inside plastic waste bottles . He won the SLL Young Lighter 2020 award and is currently part of the Building Back Better Awards judging team . Aluwaine has an u
Aluwaine Manyonga electrical engineering graduate from University of Zimbabwe . Aluwaine is the developer of Chigubhu Lantern an LED lantern made from electronic waste and housed inside plastic waste bottles . He won the SLL Young Lighter 2020 award and is currently part of the Building Back Better Awards judging team . Aluwaine has an ultimate goal of ensuring "A light for for every student " through the Chigubhu Lantern initiative .
Tanaka Chirara is a finalist of the International Science and Engineering Fair(ISEF) for the years 2021 and 2022. From a young age, he has studied science so he can tackle large scale socio-economic problems. His projects have included generating electrical energy and on clean cooking stoves to reduce indoor air pollution which kills over 3.5 million people each year
Lulie is Head of Mentoring at Polygence. She graduated from Harvard University in 2020 with an MA and PhD in The Study of Religion. Lulie is an interdisciplinary scholar of Religious Studies whose work examines religious conversion, identity negotiation, and transnational religious networks, in modern and contemporary Europe and beyond.
Lulie is Head of Mentoring at Polygence. She graduated from Harvard University in 2020 with an MA and PhD in The Study of Religion. Lulie is an interdisciplinary scholar of Religious Studies whose work examines religious conversion, identity negotiation, and transnational religious networks, in modern and contemporary Europe and beyond. When she’s not mentoring mentors and conducting research, Lulie enjoys reading, photography, biking, yoga, and hanging out with her two cats, Otto and Tatie.
Néhémie Guillomaitre is a second-year Chemical and Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. candidate at Princeton University. Her research involves studying the degradation of plastics and ways to enhance the properties of hydrogels for various applications, including, but not limited to, water purification and production for water-stressed regions.
Néhémie Guillomaitre is a second-year Chemical and Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. candidate at Princeton University. Her research involves studying the degradation of plastics and ways to enhance the properties of hydrogels for various applications, including, but not limited to, water purification and production for water-stressed regions. Beyond research, Néhémie enjoys reading, dancing, drawing, photography, watching international films and shows, and learning languages.
Courtney is a 5th year graduate student at the University of Virginia in the Gaultier Lab. She is currently studying how stress impacts the bacteria that live in your gut and how those bacteria can impact depression. Outside of the lab, Courtney loves to bake, spend time with friends and family, and eat chocolate.
We now have a WhatsApp Channel to further advance science communication, STEM education and competition, and opportunity.