Meet Christine Were, an inventor and student in Kenya, who is studying Biomedical Engineering while working on developing low cost ventilators to help treat COVID-19 patients.
When did you first become interested in STEM?
I have always been passionate about science, especially the health sciences, from a tender age. Sciences were my best-performed subjects in school. This out rightly meant I would pursue a STEM course.
Where did you go to school, and what did you study?
Growing up, I had never thought of becoming an engineer because I associated engineering with advanced technologies in computers, electronic components, automation, etc. These concepts were frightening and tedious due to unfamiliarity. I had never interacted with a computer before I joined high school. I attended my secondary school education in Maryhill Girls’ High School, where I graduated with an exemplary performance. The environment was very conducive for learning; over time, all the technology mysteries I had, had been demystified.
The period when I graduated from high school, cancer become prevalent in society. It was devastating to see people I know succumb to cancer. I started brainstorming on initiatives and activities I could do to elevate the health status of affected persons. When I got into research, I came across biomedical engineering; the course description was fascinating “employing engineering principals and skills to come up with live saving technologies/innovations in the healthcare sector.” I applied for the degree program, and I managed to get a chance in one of the local Universities, Kenyatta University.
What is your current career, and how do you use your STEM interests on a day-to-day basis?
Presently, I am a finalist student at Kenyatta University, Kenya. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. Besides, I am an Innovator and an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering) student volunteer in charge of the Women in Engineering Affinity group on my campus. I use the skills and knowledge I have gained in coming up with lifesaving innovations, with the principal obligation of giving service to humanity and ensuring that most people I interact with, especially women continue to self-improve.
What do you like most about your current job? What do you find most challenging?
As an innovator, I love learning new skills. I realized that each societal problem I have to solve comes with a unique skill set to master. Through this, I have been able to widen my scope in my area of expertise. I am currently doing a lot of research on genetic mutation and imaging technologies in cancer treatment and diagnosis. As a volunteer in humanitarian organizations, I have enjoyed interacting with various categories of people. It has undoubtedly, improved my social and interpersonal skills.
Every venture has its hurdles; for me, time management has been a real hitch. Juggling between school and work is demanding.
What advice would you give to young girls who are interested in pursuing STEM activities or careers?
Believe in yourself and have confidence in your abilities; if we are not bolder and more innovative, the setting’s ambitious development plan becomes unachievable. Let us all take the bull by its horns and venture into this fabulous space. This is the era of STEM.
Anything else our girls would be interested in knowing about you?
I have participated in many innovation initiatives. Key among them being a co-inventor of Tiba-Vent, a low-cost ventilator meant to aid the Kenyan government in fighting against the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic. Additionally, I am working on a project in collaboration with the African Biomedical Engineering Consortium (ABEC) to develop a remote health-monitoring device with the aim of combating global challenges associated with non-communicable diseases with an emphasis on problems affecting low- and middle-income countries. I aspire to see other women engage in such technological spaces.