Dhruti Dheda
Engineer | PhD researcher | STEM advocate | Science Communicator | Gender Activist | Servant Leader
About me
I am an engineer and Ph.D. researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand. My primary research focuses on deep learning, smart grids, green energy and water conservation.
I am the founder of the African Steminist, an initiative focused on increasing the representation of women (especially women of color) in STEM.
I am also the lead of the UNITE 2030 Disruptor Track which focuses on the use and development of disruptive technology to solve for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. I was appointed as the UNITE 2030 Regional Focal Point for Southern Africa, where I facilitate collaboration between Southern African ambassadors to increase the efficiency of solving for the SDGs in the region. I am now the UNITE 2030 Country Ambassador of South Africa.
"I actively use my knowledge and skills as an engineer to create social change and empower communities. I am a firm advocate for STEM education and women in STEM. The projects (games, videos, interviews, etc.) that I undertake highlight the use of technology for social change as well as the equal involvement of women in STEM for a more technologically inclusive future."
You can sometimes find me in front of my piano when I am not in front of my laptop.
I am the founder of the African Steminist, an initiative focused on increasing the representation of women (especially women of color) in STEM.
I am also the lead of the UNITE 2030 Disruptor Track which focuses on the use and development of disruptive technology to solve for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. I was appointed as the UNITE 2030 Regional Focal Point for Southern Africa, where I facilitate collaboration between Southern African ambassadors to increase the efficiency of solving for the SDGs in the region. I am now the UNITE 2030 Country Ambassador of South Africa.
"I actively use my knowledge and skills as an engineer to create social change and empower communities. I am a firm advocate for STEM education and women in STEM. The projects (games, videos, interviews, etc.) that I undertake highlight the use of technology for social change as well as the equal involvement of women in STEM for a more technologically inclusive future."
You can sometimes find me in front of my piano when I am not in front of my laptop.
Academic Profile
I received a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Engineering, which focused on water usage evaluation and water footprinting methods in the platinum mining and refinery sector from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
I received my MSc in Electrical and Information Engineering cum laude (with distinction) from the University of the Witwatersrand. My MSc research applied deep learning for the development of a predictive water quality algorithm of specific rivers. The Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM), a specialized deep neural network specific to time-sequenced data was used to develop the algorithm. The algorithm was able to successfully predict the water quality of the rivers a couple of time steps ahead. The findings were published in an academic article: Long Short Term Memory Water Quality Predictive Model Discrepancy Mitigation Through Genetic Algorithm Optimisation and Ensemble Modeling. I received the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- Department of Science and Innovation (CSIR- DSI) Bursary for my MSc research.
"I believe that South Africa is at a delicate phase of development, where strides in digitalisation are coupled with growth in water-consuming sectors, such as agriculture. African development should not mimic development in the West, which was unsustainable in terms of water. South Africa has the potential to sustainably leapfrog into Industry 4.0 by adapting efficient and cheaper digital solutions for water conservation. Investing in and understanding our country's environment is an investment in ourselves and a technologically advanced South Africa."
I am currently a Ph.D. researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand, where my research focuses on deep learning, smart grids, green energy and water conservation. My other research interests include the use of carbon nanotubes for carbon dioxide adsorption, as a medium for lowering carbon dioxide emissions.
My research publications can be found on ResearchGate and LinkedIn.
I received my MSc in Electrical and Information Engineering cum laude (with distinction) from the University of the Witwatersrand. My MSc research applied deep learning for the development of a predictive water quality algorithm of specific rivers. The Long Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM), a specialized deep neural network specific to time-sequenced data was used to develop the algorithm. The algorithm was able to successfully predict the water quality of the rivers a couple of time steps ahead. The findings were published in an academic article: Long Short Term Memory Water Quality Predictive Model Discrepancy Mitigation Through Genetic Algorithm Optimisation and Ensemble Modeling. I received the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research- Department of Science and Innovation (CSIR- DSI) Bursary for my MSc research.
"I believe that South Africa is at a delicate phase of development, where strides in digitalisation are coupled with growth in water-consuming sectors, such as agriculture. African development should not mimic development in the West, which was unsustainable in terms of water. South Africa has the potential to sustainably leapfrog into Industry 4.0 by adapting efficient and cheaper digital solutions for water conservation. Investing in and understanding our country's environment is an investment in ourselves and a technologically advanced South Africa."
I am currently a Ph.D. researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand, where my research focuses on deep learning, smart grids, green energy and water conservation. My other research interests include the use of carbon nanotubes for carbon dioxide adsorption, as a medium for lowering carbon dioxide emissions.
My research publications can be found on ResearchGate and LinkedIn.
Women in STEM and STEM Outreach
I have a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization industry. As an undergraduate student, I volunteered at Engineers without Borders-Witwatersrand. After graduation, I became a professional member of Engineers without Borders-South Africa (EWB-SA) and the editor of their official newsletter and website administrator.
As the Community Manager- South Africa and Regional Outreach of Geeky Girl Reality (GGR), my work mainly involved STEM advocacy and the promotion of women in STEM. I also interview inspiring and told the stories of numerous women in STEM on the behalf of Geeky Girl Reality.
As the Community Manager- South Africa and Regional Outreach of Geeky Girl Reality (GGR), my work mainly involved STEM advocacy and the promotion of women in STEM. I also interview inspiring and told the stories of numerous women in STEM on the behalf of Geeky Girl Reality.
African Steminist
My work at EWB-SA and GGR, pushed me onto the path of STEM advocacy and the promotion of Women in STEM, this eventually led to me starting, the African Steminist, an initiative focused on increasing the representation of women (especially women of color) in STEM.
I deeply believe in the power of telling stories to create change. “I believe that communication is the gap between the STEM community and the rest of the world. A gap which can be bridged through effective storytelling that will alter the negative narrative surrounding women in STEM. Many girls will not consider STEM if they are unaware of successful women in STEM. Representation matters- you cannot aim to become what you cannot see."
It is a fact that women only make up 28% of the STEM workforce, especially in the fields of engineering and computer science. These fields, which have such a huge gender gap, are set to have the fastest growing and highest paying jobs in a future marked by artificial intelligence. The economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic has affected women disproportionately, increasing the gender gap.
"I focus on working towards the equal representation of women in STEM to ensure that the current gender pay gap does not increase any further, thus undermining the financial security and progress of women in the future. Women's voices also need to be equally included in STEM spaces to ensure that the technology of the future is inclusive and accessible to the whole of society, and not just a certain social demographic. Afterall, we make the tools and then the tools make us."
I deeply believe in the power of telling stories to create change. “I believe that communication is the gap between the STEM community and the rest of the world. A gap which can be bridged through effective storytelling that will alter the negative narrative surrounding women in STEM. Many girls will not consider STEM if they are unaware of successful women in STEM. Representation matters- you cannot aim to become what you cannot see."
It is a fact that women only make up 28% of the STEM workforce, especially in the fields of engineering and computer science. These fields, which have such a huge gender gap, are set to have the fastest growing and highest paying jobs in a future marked by artificial intelligence. The economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic has affected women disproportionately, increasing the gender gap.
"I focus on working towards the equal representation of women in STEM to ensure that the current gender pay gap does not increase any further, thus undermining the financial security and progress of women in the future. Women's voices also need to be equally included in STEM spaces to ensure that the technology of the future is inclusive and accessible to the whole of society, and not just a certain social demographic. Afterall, we make the tools and then the tools make us."
STEM Education and Communication
I believe in promoting visual storytelling, through the use of photographs and videos, especially in an age where the written word is losing power. I was awarded third place in The Dignity of All South Africans category for my photo entitled: Connecting Worlds in the South African Science Lens competition 2019/2020, hosted by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF). The photograph was then awarded the overall best Social Science photo relating to the Theme of Innovation by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The photograph shed light on the multitude of satellite dishes in impoverished areas in Johannesburg which house underprivileged students and immigrants for communication and connection purposes.
I was placed second in the #WinterSchool4IR Game Jam 2019, held by the University of Johannesburg, where I produced a video that addressed the potential impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the South African community.
I led my team, SAGamer in the Liquid Telecom South African hackathon 2019, where I was awarded second place for designing a game about the Big Five aimed at stimulating early childhood development through interactive learning. I believe that “In the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we have to turn our attention to digital forms of education to ensure that South African students have access to multi-modal interactive learning which is on par with developed countries.”
I was placed second in the #WinterSchool4IR Game Jam 2019, held by the University of Johannesburg, where I produced a video that addressed the potential impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the South African community.
I led my team, SAGamer in the Liquid Telecom South African hackathon 2019, where I was awarded second place for designing a game about the Big Five aimed at stimulating early childhood development through interactive learning. I believe that “In the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we have to turn our attention to digital forms of education to ensure that South African students have access to multi-modal interactive learning which is on par with developed countries.”
SDG Advocacy
UNITE 2030
I was selected as a youth delegate, as one of 78 applicants from over 2,000 applicants under the age of 30 to promote STEM, women in STEM, and water conservation as part of the program’s aim to achieve sustainable development goals by 2030.
I successfully organized, moderated, and participated in the roundtable, Challenges for Women in STEM from a South African perspective. The roundtable focused on challenges faced by women in STEM and possible solutions at the Youth SDG Summit. I hosted an event, Social Entrepreneurship and STEMM: A Female Perspective at the official UNITE 2030 Campaign Localize to Focalize where I interviewed and critically discussed STEM and the sustainable social upliftment that it can bring through Social Entrepreneurship with a South African female STEM social entrepreneur, Dr. K Mopeli-Tshehla.
I hosted the session, STEM for Disruptive Technology and Entrepreneurship: A Female Perspective along with Hema Vallabh, the South African Co-founder and CEO of WomEng and WomHub, to address the shortage of women in engineering and computer science during the United Nations Global Goals Week at the Unite 2030 Summit 2021. I moderated a panel discussion on Blockchain Technology for Social Impact with Sandra Uwantege Hart (creator of The UnBlocked Cash Project) & Cecilia Chapiro (Humanitarian Tech Advisor) to demystify the use of Blockchain Technology.
I presented at the session, Nature-based Solutions for Water from a Youth Perspective and shed light on the implementation of these solutions from a South African perspective.
I also won the UNITE 2030 SDG Tank for a solution focused on the use of technology to bridge the gender gap in the lower-income bracket. I was then selected as the Lead of the UNITE 2030 Disruptor Track, which focuses on the development and use of disruptive technology to solve for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030. I was selected as the UNITE 2030 Regional Focal Point for Southern Africa, to develop a sustainable support network for the collaboration and sharing of resources and expertise between ambassadors in the region, to increase the efficiency of solving for the SDGs, with a focus on youth based projects. I am now the UNITE 2030 Country Ambassador of South Africa.
SDG Nugget Hour
I was invited to the international SDG Nugget Hour and critically discussed the global water crisis, wastewater, and the relationship between gender and water from a South African perspective. I have co-authored a chapter of a book based on the SDG Nugget Hour, SDG NUGGET HOUR: A Compendium of Bitesize Views from Global Advocates and Practitioners of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Yunus & Youth Nurturing Social Business
I was selected as one of twelve finalists for the Yunus & Youth Nurturing Social Business Final Project. My project focused on the gender disparity of internet usage in South Africa. I was the only finalist from South Africa and the only female finalist from Africa. Finalist Interview.
Ambassador Volunteer
Giddy2School-Nigeria works towards providing access to quality and equitable education to every child in Nigeria. To achieve a 100% literacy rate in Nigeria, with equal opportunities and access to inclusive quality education, by advocating to keep children off the streets and in their schools and to reduce the school dropout index.
I engage in impactful mentorship which includes insightful and informative educational sessions, geared towards underprivileged learners to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable and holistic development.
Awards and HONORS
- Golden Key Member issued by Golden Key International Honours Society. Awarded to the top 15% of university academic achievers. Jan 2011.
- Second Place- Liquid Telecom South African Hackathon 2019 issued by Liquid Telecom South African and University of Johannesburg. Jan 2019.
- Second Place- WinterSchool4IR Game Jam 2019 issued by University of Johannesburg. Jul 2019.
- Third Place- South African Science Lens Competition issued by South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). Mar 2020.
- Overall Best Photograph - Social Science photograph relating to the Theme of Innovation issued by Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). Apr 2020.
- Winner of the UNITE 2030 SDG Tank issued by UNITE 2030. The solution focused on combating internet usage gender disparity. Jul 2021.
- Impactful Woman in Engineering Award and Rising Star Award Nominations issued by Womandla Foundation. Aug 2021. Womandla Interview
- Recipient of the Panache 7th Annual Gauteng Women of Wonder & Visionary Awards issued by Panache Women of Wonder Awards. Awarded for contributions to STEM through research and outreach work. Oct 2021. Women of Wonder & Visionary Awards Speech and Award Function
- Inspiring Fifty South Africa Winner issued by Inspiring Fifty SA. Recognized as one of the top 50 most inspiring women in STEM in South Africa in 2021. Dec 2021.
- Top 50 Global Inspiring Icons issued by Panache Women of Wonder. Chosen as one of the top 50 female icons to be featured in the first ever WOW Top 50 Global Inspiring Icons Book. Women of Wonder. A Panache Publication. Feb 2022.
Honorary Organizations
WomEng (Women in Engineering)
Fellow at WomEng. Jul 2015.
I was selected as one of the top 60 female engineering students within South Africa as a Fellow to attend the 2015 WomEng Fellowship Week in Cape Town that included panel discussions, workshops, networking events and project presentations all focused on the Green Economy.
Brightest Young Minds
Delegate for the Brightest Young Minds Summit. Oct 2021.
I was selected as a delegate for the Brightest Young Minds Summit 2021 as a young African leader to represent South Africa from hundreds of leaders across the continent. The theme of the 2021 BYM Summit was African Lions on the rise. How Africa will change when a younger generation leads?
Fellow at WomEng. Jul 2015.
I was selected as one of the top 60 female engineering students within South Africa as a Fellow to attend the 2015 WomEng Fellowship Week in Cape Town that included panel discussions, workshops, networking events and project presentations all focused on the Green Economy.
Brightest Young Minds
Delegate for the Brightest Young Minds Summit. Oct 2021.
I was selected as a delegate for the Brightest Young Minds Summit 2021 as a young African leader to represent South Africa from hundreds of leaders across the continent. The theme of the 2021 BYM Summit was African Lions on the rise. How Africa will change when a younger generation leads?