The Global Young Academy is pleased to welcome 39 new members to its ranks. All new members were inaugurated at the opening of the 7th International Conference of Young Scientists and GYA Annual General Meeting in Aviemore, Scotland from 15-19 May.
The 2017 new GYA members represent more than 30 countries, among them our first members from Rwanda, Venezuela and Vietnam. New members also represent a broad variety of disciplines, building a strong foundation for interdisciplinary, international science collaboration. They are quantum physicists, sociologists, computer scientists, anthropologists, materials scientists, linguists, chemists, ecologists, nanotechnologists and economists, among many others.
Welcome to the Global Young Academy!
 Mary Donnabelle L. Balela(Philippines) Nanotechnologist + motherCreates and designs various organic nanomaterials, particularly metal and oxides, for various applications in electronics and photocatalysis. She believes that nanomaterials can be used as building blocks to fabricate products and/or devices that will greatly benefit mankind and the environment. She is a mother of 2 beautiful daughters. >> See full profile |
 Benedetta Berti (Israel)Foreign policy researcher + author Senior Fellow (TED and Foreign Policy Research Institute) and Fellow (Institute for National Security Studies. She is a foreign policy and security researcher, analyst, consultant, author and lecturer. Her work focuses on armed groups and internal wars, analyzing the impact of insecurity on civilians and studying how to build more peaceful and resilient communities. >> See full profile |
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 Cristina Blanco Sío-López (Spain)Contemporary global historian + digital humanist Interdisciplinary scholar fascinated with mapping factors of positive change in history through the critical discourse analysis of: the social, intellectual and myth-making dimensions of time perceptions’ instilment in political communication; comparative regional integration as a driver of democratic sustainability and global governance innovation and citizens’ empowerment through free movement of persons. >>See full profile |
 Zhiming Cheng (Australia)EconomistHis research interests are in the interdisciplinary areas of labour economics, employment relations, working life, inequality and their relationships with health and subjective wellbeing. >> See full profile |
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 Matthew Cole (United Kingdom)Nanotechnologist + materials engineer Following research at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, his research focuses on the integration of aligned nanomaterials in atomic-scale devices towards realising the electronics of tomorrow. >> See full profile |
 Maral Dadvar (Germany)Computer scientistBeing an expert in semantic web and natural language processing, she aims to continue her research and efforts in making the cyber society a safer environment by prevention and detection of crimes and online misconducts. She believes that better solutions derive from multidisciplinary approaches rather than sheer technical ones. >> See full profile |
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 M. Bilge Demirköz (Turkey)Astroparticle physicist She studies the composition of cosmic rays in Low Earth Orbit with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) experiment on the International Space Station. She is also leading the METU-DBL (Defocusing Beam Line) project in Turkey to perform radiation tests on electronics and materials intended for space and high radiation environment such as the Hi-Lumi LHC (Large Hadron Collider). >> See full profile |
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 Lahcen El Youssfi (Morocco)Agronomy engineer + agro-environment researcher Focusing on the development of application of bio-ecological, technical and economic principles for sustainable agro-ecosystems management (Soil, Water and Plant continuum), he is responsible for training and research activities within the agro-biology and rural development program and member of the steering committee of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants research Cluster. >> See full profile |
 Bahaa El-Dien M. El-Gendy (Egypt)Medicinal chemist Associate Professor of Bio-Organic Chemistry at Benha University, Egypt, his training as a synthetic chemist, both in Egypt and USA, prepared him for a career in drug discovery. With his research group, he designs and synthesizes novel small organic molecules as modulators of nuclear hormone receptors and kinases for the therapeutic treatment of cancer and fatty liver diseases. >> See full profile |
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 Aysha Fleming (Australia)Research social scientistWith a background in education and rural sociology, Aysha specialises in applying educational theories to climate change in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. She is especially interested in language and engaging with communities and stakeholders. She focuses on qualitative research methodologies, including interviews and discourse analysis and aims to understand and influence stakeholder perceptions and behaviour. >> See full profile |
 Aminata A. Garba (Rwanda)Computer engineer + telecommunications expertAssistant Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and internationally active with particular focus in Africa, Aminata’s interests include ICT infrastructure, technologies and policies, Internet of things, emergeny communications, cybersecurity, ICT4D, capacity building and higher education. >> See full profile |
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 Syed Ghulam Musharraf (Pakistan)Bioanalytical ChemistDr. Musharraf has extensive experience in the field of mass spectrometry and its utilization mainly in two areas: 1) Metabolomic and proteomic biomarker search in cancer. 2) Analysis of natural products and chemical fingerprinting of medicinally important plants. >> See full profile |
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 Lisa Herzog (Germany)Philosopher + economist Lisa is a philosopher and economist working on social and economic justice and teaching political theory at the Technical University Munich. Recent research topics include the global financial system and ethics and democracy in the workplace. She also writes for non-academic audiences and has not (yet?) given up the hope that philosophy can contribute to social progress. >>See full profile |
 Wataru Iwasaki (Japan)Computational biologistAssociate professor at the University of Tokyo, who carries out research at the intersection of biological and information sciences. As technological innovations in the life science domain have enabled us to obtain and analyze massive amount of data, he aims at uncovering new concepts, insights, and laws behind life systems and ecosystems by utilizing those datasets. >>See full profile |
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 Jacobus FA Jansen (Netherlands)Neuroscientist + biomedical engineerHis aim is to answer clinically relevant neurological questions using advanced imaging techniques, in order to obtain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and to improve treatment and care for patients with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. >>See full profile |
 Akihiro Kishimura (Japan)Material chemist + nano-medical engineer Based on basic knowledge of material synthesis (organic and inorganic nanomaterials), his recent research focuses on development of biomedical nanosystem. He has developed therapeutic nanosystems to overcome the present limitations of drug therapy, and pioneered the material-based physiology to reveal how to deal with intractable diseases. >>See full profile |
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 Mahesh Kumar (India)Material scientist + device engineer Concerns about the changing environment and fossil fuel depletion, it is prompted, not only use the renewable resources but also reduce the power consumption. His scientific focus is on design and fabrication of energy efficient devices such as GaN LEDs, nanosensors and 2D transistors. He also promotes awareness in the society about child education, climate changes and utilization of energy efficient systems. >>See full profile |
 Matthew C. Levy (UK)Computational scientistWorking at the intersection of physics and artificial intelligence (AI). Previously he studied the interaction between the most powerful lasers in the world and dense matter, for fundamental high-field physics and applications in energy generation. Increasingly he is interested in AI and holds two patents pending covering physics-inspired approaches. >>See full profile |
Meghnath Dhimal (Nepal)
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Evolutionary biologist A genome and organismal biologist interested in how different copies of genes influence organisms and evolution. By using state-of-the art genome sequencing technology and studying variation among animal genomes, his research will provide a deeper understanding for how genomes work when copies of genes are altered. >>See full profile |
 Nonglak Meethong (Thailand)Materials scientist Dr. Meethong’s research work is mainly related to developing electrode materials for Li-ion batteries for use in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles. Her aim is to develop nano-materials from natural and industrial wastes to make high performance Li-ion batteries with affordable cost and low environmental impacts. >>See full profile |
 Binyam Sisay Mendisu (Ethiopia)Linguist + education specialist With a track record of numerous field-specific and multidisciplinary publications, his research interests lie in the study of African languages, education and the humanities. He is a founding member of the Ethiopian Young Academy of Science (EtYAS) and founding fellow of African Science Leadership Program (ASLP). >>See full profile |
 Maha Nasr (Egypt)Pharmaceutical scientist + educator An academic pharmacist interested in the science of drug delivery and formulation design. Her research work mainly focuses on advanced technologies such as nanotechnology based drug carriers and composite delivery systems. She currently investigates the creation of novel carriers for treatment of diseases, mainly cancer and Alzheimer’s. >>See full profile |
 Marian Asantewah Nkansah (Ghana)Environmental chemist + humanitarian Due to her passion for the environment and the desire to help preserve it, she is dedicated to finding solutions to environmental problems associated with levels of toxic substances such as heavy/trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in food, water, soil, rocks, sediments and other matrices; and the interaction of these pollutants with each other in the environment as well as remediation strategies. >>See full profile |
 Daniel Ochieng Orwenjo (Kenya)Applied linguist, literacy expert + consultant As an applied linguist, his main research interests revolve around the nexus between linguistics and other disciplines by focusing on the application of linguistic knowledge in solving real life problems in other disciplines such as education, law, anthropology, sociology and psychology on one hand; and using knowledge in these disciplines to solve linguistic problems on the other hand. >>See full profile |
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Chemical enigneer Associate Professor and Deputy Director of Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He is highly published in Scopus-indexed journals, in the field of sustainable membranes for energy & environmental application and involved in 68 research projects, some receiving international awards. >>See full profile |
 Naim Rashid (Pakistan)Environmental engineer A dedicated environmental scientist instilled with a passion to work on green economy and to promote environmental sustainability. His particular interest is in carbon bio-sequestration, bio-remediation, wastewater ecology, and algal biotechnology to reinforce waste-to-energy concept. He received the Green Talent Award-2015, Germany, for his outstanding contribution to advocate sustainable development. >>See full profile |
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Statistician + data scientist He was a former data scientist at CAPED Niger (Prime Minister’s Office) and is currently serving at Abdou Moumouni University. His research area includes statistical modeling of genomic diseases, household energy transition, air pollution, quality of public expenditure and Open Data. >>See full profile |
Teresa Stoepler (USA) Ecologist Her research has focused on the role of environmental factors in shaping plant-insect interactions, including pollination, parasitism, and disease transmission. Passionate about the power of science to bridge nations, she now works with two bilateral programs aimed at strengthening U.S. – Egypt and U.S. – Pakistan scientific collaboration. >>See full profile |
 Egle Sumskiene (Lithuania)Sociologist + expert on disability and human rights Associated Professor at Vilnius University Social Work department. She works actively in the Lithuanian NGO sector, focusing on mental health and human rights, and has been involved in various international and national projects focusing on human rights and disability, discrimination, mental health care, policy, social integration of people with psychosocial disabilities. >>See full profile |
 Shuhui Sun (Canada)Chemist + materials scientistHe leads the Laboratory of Sustainable Nanotechnology (SUN), developing nanomaterials for energy and environmental applications. His current research focuses on the fabrication and characterization of multi-functional nanomaterials (e.g., graphene, CNTs) and their applications in energy conversion and storage, and wastewater treatment. >>See full profile |
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Computer scientist + educational technologist With research interests in the design and development of socio-technical systems, he is currently interested in the linkage/integration of ecosystems for innovation and entrepreneurship (tech innovation hub) into universities in Africa, and investigating which role local and international actors (donors, research stakeholders, policy makers, etc.) could play in supporting this process. >>See full profile |
 Tran Quang Huy (Vietnam)Nano-biomedical scientist + electron microscopistWitnessing an increasing number of infectious diseases as well as the evrironmental pollution endangering public health in developing countries, he wonders if nanotechnology can minimize their impact. His research has focused on nanotechnology to develop innovative biosensors/biochips, and nanomaterials applied for rapid detection of infectious pathogens, disinfection and environmental monitoring. >>See full profile |
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Anthropologist An anthropologist dedicated to researching in primatology in the Neotropics. He examines primate cognitive ecology as well as the history of primatology, primate conservation, and ethnoprimatology. His goals are to understand how primates behave, to explore how they are perceived by humans, and finally to propose ways to protect them. >>See full profile |
Molecular engineer + materials scientist As the head of his own research group, he focuses on the design, development, and engineering of nanostructured functional organic materials for use in high performance optoelectronic applications. He has a strong desire to develop novel materials for a better technological future. >>See full profile |
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Molecular virologist + science diplomat His work is focused on evasion of the host response against HIV infection as well as on the characterization of zoonotic emerging pathogens. He co-founded and participated in organizations in Latin America and Canada to protect young researchers’ rights and increase awareness about the importance of Science, Technology and Innovation. >>See full profile |
Geneticist + science communicator His research focus is in developing new strategies for bladder cancer diagnosis and therapy by dissecting the molecular basis of cancer recurrence and invasion. He currently chairs the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia. He believes that effective science communication is key in the successful delivery of scientific solutions and creation of sustainable innovative ecosystems. >>See full profile |
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Quantum physicist Senior lecturer in atomic and quantum physics at the University of Malta, he is also Science Policy Officer of the Malta Chamber of Scientists, acts as the Government of Malta expert on quantum technologies, and represents Malta on several European research networks. André established and leads the quantum research group at the University of Malta, and co-owns an educational software company. >>See full profile |
John Henri Malone (USA)
Mohd Hafiz D. Othman (Malaysia)
Ibrahim Sidi Zakari (Niger)
Erick Gankam Tambo (Cameroon)
Bernardo Urbani (Venezuela)
Hakan Usta (Turkey)
Fernando Valiente-Echeverria (Chile)
Abhi Veerakumarasivam (Malaysia)
André Xuereb (Malta)