Dr Mrs Racheal Akinbo, a PhD holder in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, was among the selected researchers at the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum, Germany. She is an active teacher, mentor, author and researcher in Computer Science. She was among the HLF young researchers that attended the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum this year, the HLF event that hosted 200 young researchers and about 25 laureates from different countries, which took place from September 22 to 27, 2024. In addition to the opportunity to be among the selected Young Researchers at the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum- 2024 in Germany, she was also lucky to be shortlisted on three categories: first as a young researcher to attend the 11th HLF Forum, second, her research “Classification of Viral Pneumonia Disease with Ensemble Learning Techniques”, was selected among the best 30 for presentation at the conference, and lastly, her intercultural digital art work “Aisan Otutu Aya (Yoruba Language) meaning (Pneumonia Disease)” was also selected for exhibition during the 11th HLF. In an exclusive interview, Dr Mrs Racheal Shade Akinbo explained: I defended my PhD in Computer Science recently at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. I was privileged to be among the selected young researchers at the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum 2024 in Germany in three categories. The artwork was designed with the depiction of science, applied computer science and mathematics. I was proud to raise the flag of Nigeria in Germany, to present my intellectual contribution to knowledge and to fill the knowledge gap.
What are the benefits of carrying out such a research at this age? What did you expect?
Carrying out a research at a young age has many advantages, such as the early exposure to the world of research that leads to having more time to find applicable solutions to the gaps: it helps to nurture our passion for exploring different methodologies and techniques in application to our thematic areas of specialisation which would make us stand-out. In addition, a country with young researchers has a comparative advantage for solutions for sustainable goals and development.
The challenges are; the lack of funding and availability of equipment, which are great limitations. Without these, it’s practically impossible to explore your research potential and result implementation. The lack of acceptability of research findings also poses great challenge to young researchers.
How many projects are you working on?
My professional goals lie in my ability to become a stand-out solution developer and to make a difference in the lives of students, institutions, communities and our nation at large. My projects have been about creating solutions to our community challenges especially in the medical field. I have done several projects that have brought solutions to our immediate environment. The recent one is the “classification of viral pneumonia disease using machine learning techniques”. This helps to predict the disease promptly and efficiently, leveraging the application of technology.
How many countries have you travelled to present your works?
I presented at EuroPython Conference 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. I have also attended conferences virtually, like the Supercomputing Conference, 2021, and the Grace Hopper Women in Computing, 2018 and 2023 respectively.
Do you have any tips for those who are considering a career in scientific research?
I am an advocate of ladies’ representation in sciences. I founded a group called; LiSTEM Africa, with the vision to educate, inspire and empower young girls to develop their potentials to the fullest and be independent women in STEM through training and mentorship.
My tips will be to first believe in yourself and know that you can make impact. The main thing is to have the drive, dedicate your time and self-police yourself to achieve your aim.
How did you become a computer scientist, considering that a lot of students in secondary school don’t like Mathematics as a subject?
I became a science student because my brother, Mr Sunday Oyeniyi, advised me to give it a try, giving me different reasons to go for it and I fell for it. Since then, the experience has been great.
I would like to tell students who are willing to study STEM courses that, it is possible. There are rules to everything in life and the STEM field is not an exception. If they can follow the principles that guide these courses, they will be fine. These subjects seem difficult but the fact is, there are rules to be followed, for example, mathematics and physics involve knowing formulas and applying them appropriately. They should be focused, give it all it takes and then, the sky will be the beginning for them.
In all, the Grace of God has brought me this far and I owe it all to God.
All the gains and benefits harvested from the just concluded forum will be an opportunity to give back to my country, university and my community.
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