Page 24 - YMS Africa Magazine 3rd Quarter 2017 Online-1

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

process whereby RNA molecules inhibit gene expression and
can be used in medical treatment to silence mutated genes that Systems Biologist Young Inventors
cause disease. Systems biologists research the complex interactions within
Dr Scholefield completed her PHD on developing a molecule biological systems by looking at how cells, organelles and mol-
to use in such gene therapy and was then awarded an Oxford ecules interact to determine how an organism functions and
Nuffield Medical Fellowship for post-doctoral studies in the behaves. For this career you should have an analytical mind, be
UK. There she established technology using induced plurip- willing to adapt to a fast-changing research environment, have Shake Up Old Technology
otent stem cells (IPSCs) – discovered just two years before in perseverance and strong skills in maths, science and statistics.
Japan – to test the molecule.
"You can take a skin biopsy and reprogramme the skin cells By Justus Wanzala
into stem cells. Once they are stem cells, you can differentiate Limnologist
them to become neurons to be used in research to see if a Limnologists study life in fresh water such as rivers and
treatment molecule works.” wetland systems in order to understand how a water system To facilitate mowing at night, the solar mower has a bulb that
functions and what prevents it from functioning as it should. provides lighting. Mowing at night or in low sunshine saves
Setting up at the CSIR They have to be analytical thinkers, driven by curiosity and a workers from the harsh tropical daytime blaze typical of many
Others continued with this research when Dr Scholefield went need to solve problems. You must have a passion for nature parts of Kenya.
to Pretoria to set up IPSC technology at the CSIR, specialising conservation and love being outdoors. You should also be able “From the gender perspective, the traditional mowers – either
in the field of stem cell research. "At the CSIR, we are using to keep the big picture in mind at all times. by design or inadvertently – appear meant for use by men.
IPSC cell models to study other African diseases, for exam- They are difficult to switch on. The noise and the smell of oil
ple those caused by HIV, by looking at people with different Chemical Engineer during combustion is intolerable to women. But solar-powered
susceptibility to the virus, including elite controllers. These are mowers are friendly to women. They are easier to start, one
people who seem to have natural immunity against HIV and Chemical engineers concern themselves with the practical just has to use a switch placed near the handle to ignite the
do not become ill when infected. design and operation of equipment used in making new prod- mower,” says Masibo.
"I work with the best team of scientists at the CSIR’s gene ucts or chemicals as well as streamlining existing production According to Bwire, it was easy for them to build the machine
expression and biophysics laboratory. The work is extremely processes. Chemical engineers should have high doses of cu- after designing it because the materials required are locally
rewarding. I witness how extraordinary genes are. The tools we riosity coupled with a healthy interest in how processes work obtainable. The institute sponsored them and the only material
have in molecular biology these days, are awesome.” and products are developed. Excelling in mathematics, physics they bought were the solar panels, a detector used to indicate
and chemistry is a must. when it is off or on, and batteries.
More careers at the CSIR Peter Wamalwa, a lecturer who also serves as their mentor, was
full of praise for the young women’s creativity. “They sought
Virologist Mechanical Engineer- a solution to a problem that our society associates with the
Structural Engineering
male gender. That shows that their innovative capabilities are
Virologists study the emergence and mutation of viruses to Mechanical engineers provide specialised strength and safety strong,” he said.
understand how they function to develop new medicine and testing services that allow mining, manufacturing, transport He says the machine is scalable, so clients can go for units that
optimal infection control measures. Virologists who work and construction companies, and heavy industry, to test suit their needs. Added to that, the mower does not require
in the research environment need to multitask and must be products to comply with safety requirements. A good engineer specialised skills to use and maintain. It can even be used to
willing to put in extra hours in the laboratory. They need to understands how things apply in the real world and how to clean floors, substituting for vacuum cleaners which are be-
collaborate with other researchers and must display strong bring theory into practice. Strong academic performance is as Emma Masibo and Lucy Bwire have many things in common. yond reach of many Kenyan households.
academic ability in the fields of maths, physics and biology. important – if you can show technical superiority you will ad- They are both mechanical engineering students at Sang’alo “In this country alone, just imagine how many oil-powered
vance more quickly. People skills, good communication skills Technical Institute in Bungoma County, Western Kenya. They mowers are in use and the impact of their emissions on the en-
are both young, aged 24 and 25, respectively. But more than
vironment. If many households and institutions like hospitals
and a keen eye for detail are also crucial. that, they’re both dreamers who have effectively translated and schools adopted the solar-powered lawn mowers in terms
their visions into a nature-friendly entrepreneurial mission. of benefits to the environment and huge sums of money that
Computer Scientist Robotics This is evident in the duo’s invention: a quiet, affordable so- will be saved,” Wamalwa says.
According to Wamalwa, the institute intends to help the
lar-powered lawn mower that is attracting plenty of attention.
and Computer Vision According to Masibo, the students had been watching mainte- students commercialise their invention. “In the next two years
nance workers clear grass around the school using combustion
we want to ensure all learning institutions acquire the solar
They enable mobile robots to navigate and plan their routes by engine-powered lawn mowers that emit noxious fumes and mower,” he said.
working on computer vision applications, where the robots are produce deafening noise. It was irritating and interrupted Masibo says they are already improving the design to develop
fitted with sensors, such as lasers and cameras, to ‘see’ and in- learning, in addition to the fuel costs that had to be shouldered a mower that is in the form of a wheelchair, making it ideal for
teract with their environment. Computer scientists are gener- by the school all year round. disabled people.
ally people who can think creatively, logically and analytically. They decided something needed to be done and put their Wamalwa’s views are shared by Fred Matiang’i, Kenya’s edu-
heads together, designing and building a prototype that is now cation, science and technology secretary, who was moved by
For more information on the CSIR and the careers they offer, in use at the school. At a cost of 180 dollars, it is a quarter the what he termed the high level of innovativeness of the two
please visit https://www.csir.co.za/your-guide-career-csir price of the traditional mowers. It has rechargeable batteries young women. The cabinet secretary, who officially opened
so it can conserve energy and enable mowing at night when a five-day National Science week in Nairobi on May 17, said
there is no sunshine. It also carries a water bottle as an extra when he visited the Sang’alo Institute of Science and Tech-
amenity. nology booth where the two students were displaying their
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