Sunday Olayinka Oyedepo | Mechanical Engineering | Academic Excellence Paper Award

Posted on by Best Paper Award

Daniel Mutia Mwendwa | Energy Systems | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Best Paper Award

Mr. Daniel Mutia Mwendwa | Energy Systems | Best Researcher Award

Daniel Mutia Mwendwa at University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Summary:

Daniel Mutia Mwendwa is a Rhodes Scholar currently pursuing a DPhil in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, where his research focuses on geospatial analysis of solar-powered irrigation systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. He holds an MSc in Energy Systems (Distinction) from Oxford and a BEng (First Class Honours) in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh. Co-founder of BuniTek, he is dedicated to introducing technology to African youth. Daniel also works as a Research Assistant in the Climate Compatible Growth Programme, contributing to energy planning in Kenya and global green hydrogen initiatives.

Professional Profile:

👩‍🎓Education:

University of Oxford, UK (2023 – Present)
DPhil in Engineering Science (Rhodes Scholar)

  • Thesis Topic: Geospatial analysis of solar-powered irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the water, energy, and food nexus.

University of Oxford, UK (2021 – 2022)
MSc in Energy Systems (Distinction, Rhodes Scholar)

  • Thesis: Developed a geospatial methodology for sizing and costing solar-powered irrigation systems for different crops.

University of Edinburgh, UK (2017 – 2021)
BEng (Hons) in Electronics and Electrical Engineering (First Class Honours, MasterCard Foundation Scholar)

  • Thesis: Developed an optimized hybrid energy storage system (HESS) combining battery storage, hydrogen fuel cells, and supercapacitors using MATLAB Simulink.

🏢 Professional Experience:

Rhodes Trust, Oxford, UK (Mar 2024 – Present)
Rhodes Scholarship Ambassador for East Africa

  • Engages with universities across East Africa to introduce students to the Rhodes Scholarship and supports their application process.

University of Oxford, Oxford, UK (Mar 2022 – Present)
Research Assistant, Climate Compatible Growth Programme

  • Developed least-cost electrification pathways for Kenyan counties using the Open-Source Spatial Electrification Tool (OnSSET). Conducted capacity-building workshops on energy planning models like OSeMOSYS and IRENA’s Flextool. Also involved in geospatial modeling of green hydrogen production potential globally.

Loughborough University, Nairobi, Kenya (Nov 2022 – Present)
Research Consultant

  • Designed off-grid electrification solutions for poultry farming and health facilities. Authored academic papers on energy planning and developed funding proposals.

BuniTek, Nairobi, Kenya (Jun 2020 – Present)
Co-Founder

  • Co-founded BuniTek, an initiative that introduces technology concepts to African high school students in an engaging and hands-on manner. Led a team of 15 volunteers to develop 14 new courses.

Research Interests:

Daniel Mutia Mwendwa’s research interests lie in renewable energy systems, particularly in optimizing solar-powered irrigation and hybrid energy storage solutions. He is passionate about integrating geospatial modeling and energy planning to address sustainability challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. His work also focuses on green hydrogen production, off-grid electrification, and the energy-water-food nexus.

Author Metrics:

Mwendwa has co-authored several research papers and reports, including:

  1. “Spatial Data Starter Kit for OnSSET Energy Planning in Kitui County, Kenya” – Published in Data in Brief (2022).
  2. “Mapping the Energy Planning Ecosystem in Kenya” – Published on GOV.UK (2023).
  3. “County Energy Planning Data Flows in Kenya: Practitioner Perspectives” – Published on GOV.UK (2023).

Top Noted Publication:

GIS-Based Method for Assessing the Viability of Solar-Powered Irrigation

  • Journal: Applied Energy
  • Publication Date: January 2025
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124461
  • Contributors: Daniel Mutia Mwendwa, Alycia Leonard, Stephanie Hirmer
  • Summary: This paper presents a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based methodology for evaluating the feasibility of solar-powered irrigation systems. The method integrates spatial data with factors such as water availability, crop water demand, and solar energy potential to determine where solar-powered irrigation systems can be most effectively deployed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Spatial Data Starter Kit for OnSSET Energy Planning in Kitui County, Kenya

  • Journal: Data in Brief
  • Publication Date: December 2022
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108691
  • Contributors: Daniel Mutia Mwendwa, Jeffrey Tchouambe, Emily Hu, Micaela Flores Lanza, Andrea Babic Brener, Gyubin Hwang, Layla Khanfar, Alycia Leonard, Stephanie Hirmer, Malcolm McCulloch
  • Summary: This article provides a comprehensive spatial data kit designed for energy planning in Kitui County, Kenya. It is part of the Open-Source Spatial Electrification Tool (OnSSET) framework, which assists planners in developing least-cost electrification pathways. The dataset includes geographic and energy-related data to facilitate more efficient and accurate energy planning.

Thalita Obal | Operational Research | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Best Paper Award

Prof. Thalita Obal | Operational Research | Best Researcher Award

Research Director at UTFPR, Brazil

Summary:

Dr. Thalita Monteiro Obal is an esteemed academic with a Ph.D. in Numerical Methods in Engineering from UFPR, which included advanced studies at the University of Portsmouth. She is a professor at the Federal Technological University of Paraná, where she directs research and postgraduate studies. Her research is dedicated to creating and applying mathematical models and optimization techniques to solve complex problems in engineering, healthcare, and sustainability.

Professional Profile:

👩‍🎓Education:

Ph.D. in Numerical Methods in Engineering
Post Graduate Program in Numerical Methods in Engineering (PPGMNE), Federal University of Paraná (UFPR)
Includes a sandwich period at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom.

Master’s in Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Agriculture
African Centre of Excellence on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Agriculture, Côte d’Ivoire

Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences
Joseph KI ZERBO University

🏢 Professional Experience:

Dr. Thalita Monteiro Obal currently serves as a Professor of Higher Education at the Federal Technological University of Paraná, Guarapuava Campus, where she also holds the position of Director of Research and Post Graduate Studies. Her role involves overseeing research initiatives and postgraduate programs, contributing to the advancement of numerical methods and their applications across various fields.

Research Interests:

Dr. Obal’s research focuses on the development of mathematical models and optimization methods within Operations Research. Her work has practical applications in several domains, including:

  • Maintenance engineering
  • Civil engineering
  • Healthcare
  • Sustainability

Top Noted Publication: