The Root Of The Science Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Earlier this year, The Dream Women In STEM Technovation Summit (June 26-28) brought together young women, leaders, and innovators from Dream Big Stay Humble and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) to tackle global challenges. Through the Technovation Challenge, high school learners were challenged to develop solutions addressing the UN’s Sustainable Developm...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we are honored to have Neil Watkins, Deputy Director of Global Policy & Advocacy at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Neil discusses the recently released 2024 Goalkeepers Report on Tackling Global Malnutrition. Under this, he explores the malnutrition crisis affecting 400 million children, the role of climate change in worsening food systems, innovative...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into a critical conversation with Tamuda Chimhanda, a Software Engineer at Dell Technologies and founder. Not only does he explore emerging technologies in Africa, but as a member of the Microsoft Council for Digital Civility, Tamuda fights online scams and educates the public on digital safety. Tune in and learn more about the rising threat of online scam...

Send us Fan Mail Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively . Our conversation with Dr. Cornelia Ndifon, a Physician, Reproductive/Maternal & Child Health from Namibia is all about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine. Dr. Cornelia explains the burden of cervical cancer in Africa and the critical roles of...

Send us Fan Mail Solving our region’s biggest health challenges can only be achieved by innovative African-led solutions. And our guest today is Asante Chisa, a young health innovator and a BSc student in Biomedical Engineering from Malawi.  Asante will talk about her passion for medical innovation, her love for interior design and her current project on the design and fabrication of an IoT drip m...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we listen to the story of Dr. Nihinlola Mabogunje from Nigeria. She talks about her involvement in polio eradication in Nigeria, her role in increasing polio vaccine access, building trust in the vaccine, and ultimately contributing to Nigeria's success in eradicating wild polio. Support the show Follow the show on: Twitter: @Rootofscipod Instagram: @Rootofsc...

Send us Fan Mail In the second part of our conversation with Dr. Samuel Usman, explores the crucial engagement strategies employed by the CORE Group Polio Project (CGPP) in Nigeria to eradicate polio, the role of traditional and religious leaders in vaccination campaigns and  the essential involvement of women in the vaccination process.  Support the show Follow the show on: Twitter: @Rootofscipod...

Send us Fan Mail This is the first episode in the polio eradication in Nigeria story series. Our guest, Dr. Samuel Usman will talk about the spread of polio, how it affects the body and how the polio vaccine works. He will also explain the challenges in Polio eradicaton in Nigeria and his personal experience in this field. Support the show Follow the show on: Twitter: @Rootofscipod Instagram: @Roo...

Send us Fan Mail Science communication, especially in health, is crucial for fostering informed and resilient communities in Africa, where public health challenges are prevalent.  In our upcoming episode, Treezer Michelle Atieno, a health and science journalist from Kenya will be joining us. Treezer is also our show producer and will talk about her experience in science communication and the launc...

Send us Fan Mail Can forests be the salvation for our planet's future? Join us as we explore the dynamic intersection of genetics and sustainable forestry with our guest today, Nthabiseng Dhlamini, a Tree Breeder from South Africa. In our first ever video episode, we take a deep dive into the vital role forests play in our ecological balance and the pressing need for sustainable solutions to...

Send us Fan Mail The Root of the Science Media is here! Yes! We have officially transitioned to multimedia science content production and dissemination. This episode is a celebration of our achievements and call to fellow African science communicators seeking a stage to showcase their passion. With a suite of new content formats — from newsletters to visual storytelling — we're set to quench...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, our guest Jenalea Rajab from Lelapa AI talks about her work in reshaping the landscape of natural language processing but and championing the cause of underrepresented languages. Jenalea's transition from the field of electrical engineering to AI innovation is as intriguing as it is inspiring, offering invaluable lessons in how diverse experiences can...

Send us Fan Mail Listen to the first episode of #AfricanWomenInAI Series with Aulan Lucrece Zahoundo, the Quantum AI expert from Benin.  She gives us an exclusive look into her groundbreaking PhD work with the AIMS Institute at the University of Ghana   Within the dynamic field where quantum computing meets machine learning, Aulan's story is one that breaks barriers and challenges the norm. ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we are happy to have Tabitha Wangechi, a Digital Security Advocate from Kenya.  She sheds light on the dark side of the internet where women are often targets to doxing, revenge pornography, and the barrage of digital harassment women face.  Listen to this and more on the solutions available for digital harassment. LinkedIn: Tabitha Wangechi. Twitter: @T_Wangechi...

Send us Fan Mail Prepare to be moved by Asonele Kotu' s work is rewriting the narrative for young girls in Africa.  Asonele Kotu from South Africa is the founder of Femconnect and  a Social Impact Entrepreneur.  She talks about period poverty, the transformative education Femconnect provides on menstruation and family planning and tackling the deep-rooted stigmas surrounding sex education in...

Send us Fan Mail Our guest today is Johnmark Ochieng, a journalist and science communicator from Kenya. As a corporate communications officer at the Kenya Space Agency, he channels storytelling into his work, creating bridges between complex space science and the enchanting stories of the night sky.  Join us on this intriguing conversation on how he made his way here. LinkedIn: Johnmark Ochieng Su...

Send us Fan Mail As we officially launch season 5 of the Root of the Science Podcast, we engage in a very interesting conversation with Olaitan Owoyemi from Nigeria. Oloitan is an expert in medical diagnostics and science communication.  In this episode, he talks about some cutting-edge medical technologies and his transformative projects that are redefining the health industry across Africa. Link...

Send us Fan Mail What is the potential of microbial fertilizers in enhancing food security and mitigating climate change effects in sub-Saharan Africa? Prof. Tavneet Suri, a Kenyan professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, discusses the concept of microbial fertilizers from production, application and potential challenges. Could they potentially revolutionise traditional agricultural practi...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a future where global agricultural challenges are successfully conquered, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.  Enoch Chikava, Interim Director of Agriculture Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, joins us on this episode to share the foundation's strategies and partnerships designed to accelerate agricultural development and climate resilience.  Enock...

Send us Fan Mail What if you had to live with a rare, life-altering medical condition? Ruth Makena Mugaa, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and founder of the Gigantomastia Foundation, faced gigantomastia and founded an organization to connect people to treatment of the rare condition. Join us as Ruth shares her personal journey and more about gigantomastia. Facebook: Ruth Makena Mugaa, Gigan...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the transformative role women and youth can play in combating climate change? Listen to this compelling conversation with Innocent Deckocks from Kenya, founder of Eco-Sanctify Consultants Limited and research associate at ECAS Institute. We delve deep into climate governance and justice, youth and women participation in climate change and their essential part i...

Send us Fan Mail Hold your breath as we bring down the curtain on our monumental #STEMSolutionsAfrica series, a part of the Africa No Filter Gates Foundation Storify Cohort 2023. We have had the privilege to amplify the voices of African STEM experts laboring tirelessly to drive transformative change. Prepare yourself to revisit our past episodes with Professor Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi , who shared...

Send us Fan Mail This is the fourth and final episode in the #STEMSolutionsAfrica series. We're thrilled to have Enya Seguin, the unit manager of the Baby Checker, a portable AI ultrasound technology that is already changing lives. Find out more about how this technology is being utilized in underserved communities in Africa, how it detects pregnancy risks, the future of Baby Checker and Enya...

Send us Fan Mail The guest today is Stephanie Okeyo, a microbiologist turned science communicator. Stephanie is originally from Kenya and currently living in Austria. Get ready to listen to the compelling journey of Stephanie in science communication, establishing Under the Microscope organization and her current quest of raising funds for her masters degree. LinkedIn: Stephanie Okeyo Twitter: @aj...

Send us Fan Mail Wondering how STEM solutions can make a difference in Africa? Tune into STEM Solutions Stories as we have discussions with African innovators who are shaping their world. Let's embark on an inspiring journey with STEM Solutions Stories, where impactful tales of change await. Support the show Follow the show on: Twitter: @Rootofscipod Instagram: @Rootofscipod YouTube: The Root...