Dr Brenda Namumba is the first PhD holder in Astronomy and Astrophysics in Zambia, a postdoctoral fellow at the Wit Centre for Astrophysics, and the winner of the 2024 Professor Carolina Odman-Govender Early Career Award for Women in Astrophysics in Africa. She also has engagements with STEMi Makers of Africa, a Nigerian-based non-governmental organisation (NGO). In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her work in astronomy and STEM, her engagement with STEMi, her perception of Nigeria, among other issues.
When would you say your passion for science was developed and how did you sustain it before heading to the university?
From a young age, I was always more interested in science and mathematics, and I performed well in them compared to other subjects. Even in my final exams, before going to university, my best subjects were science and mathematics. Pursuing a career in the sciences was simply a matter of doing something I found interesting and easy.
Astronomy and astrophysics are tough science disciplines most women would not dare to venture into. What inspired you to study these courses, even to the PhD level?
In 2019, I attended my first academic workshop, the Intl Heliophysical Year SCINDA workshop in Zambia, thanks to a grant from the ICTP European institution. There, I gained my first in-depth knowledge of astronomy and space science. I became eager and curious to learn more about how the universe operates and our place in it as humans. That was when my journey as an astronomer began.
After completing my honours degree in space science and astronomy, I realised my passion for research in astronomy and academia, which led me to pursue my PhD.
You are the first PhD holder in Astronomy and Astrophysics in Zambia. How did your family and your community accept this feat? And how is it impacting your career?
My parents and family have always been my cheerleaders, celebrating all my academic achievements with me. They are proud of my accomplishments.
As for my career, being labelled the ‘first’ comes with its pressures. I feel the need to work even harder. You are seen as a role model by many young people, and that means you have to carry yourself with integrity and work diligently.
You are a postdoctoral fellow at the Wit Centre for Astrophysics. What are your major research areas? And how does your kind of work or research solve everyday societal problems?
I work on one of the most iconic projects for global cooperation implemented in Africa, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO). The SKAO will build two telescopes with antennas across Africa and Australia, making it possible to make key contributions to astrophysics, astrobiology, and fundamental physics. It will provide unrivalled opportunities for African countries to engage with transformational science and cutting-edge instrumentation, collaborating with the world’s most renowned research institutions.
My research interests lie in the field of extragalactic astronomy. I have focused on studying nearby galaxies, particularly examining the radio spectral line emission of neutral hydrogen (HI) gas. HI is the best tracer of the kinematics, dynamics, and environmental effects of galaxies. Unlike other tracers at most other wavelengths, HI can be traced to a much larger distance from the galactic centre. This allows us to explore the mechanisms responsible for gas redistribution, consumption, removal, and accretion in galaxies.
My research contributes to the general understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.
While astronomy may not be directly linked to addressing societal issues, it makes unexpectedly large contributions to formal and informal science education. Technology transfer from astronomy also has important applications in medicine and many other sectors.
In April this year, when you were awarded the Professor Carolina Odman-Govender Early Career Award for Women in Astrophysics in Africa, you posted on LinkedIn that you are a strong advocate of education and ready to mentor young girls. In what ways do you do this?
I believe one of the most powerful tools that African girls need to motivate them to pursue education is to have role models who are familiar to them, specifically from their communities. Knowing that someone from their community, sharing the same background, has managed to break barriers allows them to believe in themselves too. This is where my mentorship starts.
I also engage with young people interested in learning more about postgraduate studies and careers, not only in astronomy but also in STEM fields. I give talks to young people to educate them on the benefits of education.
You are from Zambia but work in South Africa. How would you compare the level of STEM education and innovation between the two countries, and how do you think the two countries could partner to make their STEM sectors stronger?
South Africa is more advanced when it comes to promoting STEM and their involvement in scientific research infrastructure to produce cutting-edge scientific research.
Through the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project, South Africa has engaged with many African countries, including Zambia, to work together and promote STEM. This also includes scholarships to support postgraduate studies from other African countries.
You have a relationship with STEMi Makers of Africa, a Nigerian-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that caters for the STEM education of underprivileged young people, especially girls, in Africa. How would you explain this relationship and how do you assist the NGO in its endeavours?
I was drawn to the STEMi organisation because of its mission to foster inclusion, innovation, and empowerment in societies through technical skills and STEM learning resources. My contribution to the organisation involves creating a suitable platform for young girls to explore and gain valuable information about careers related to STEM.
I provide information on how they can find their place in male-dominated fields, such as astrophysics. I volunteer to mentor young African girls who are interested in STEM.
So far, my STEMi mentees come from Nigeria, Uganda, and Cameroon. In addition to mentoring the girls, I share scholarship opportunities and help with application procedures when possible. I also volunteer to give STEMi talks to young people across Africa about the benefits of education.
In your work with STEMi or other science-based organisations, what major challenges do you think are preventing young African girls from learning and embracing STEM education?
The biggest challenge is the lack of information. Most young people are not aware of the different careers that come from STEM. For instance, many of them think that a BSc in Physics only leads to a job as a secondary school teacher, but that is not true. Our job is to provide adequate information to young people so that they have enough information when choosing which career they want to pursue.
Additionally, I have noticed that funding is a major challenge for many young people. It is well known that many African countries are still lagging in investing in research, resulting in limited funding opportunities for young people and academics.
Through my interactions with numerous young individuals, I have observed that while many are motivated to pursue further studies, a lack of funding often stands in their way. Therefore, I make it my mission to share any funding opportunities I come across with as many people as possible.
STEMi’s mission is to empower two million young people with emerging technologies and STEM education by 2030. In what ways could notable female African scientists like you assist STEMi to achieve this feat?
First, my contribution is to ensure that every young person in all corners of Africa receives adequate knowledge of the benefits of education. As we all know, “Knowledge is power. I take it upon myself to visit underprivileged schools in Zambia, during my holidays, to share with the young people that the only way Africa will become self-sustaining is by investing in knowledge.
My contribution to achieving this noble goal is to continue mentoring young girls and assisting students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in astrophysics.
STEM education and technologies are tools to embrace for Africa’s development. Where do you see Africa’s STEM education in ten years? And how do you think women like you could contribute to that future?
There have been many advancements in science and technology in Africa, which I believe has opened doors for us to participate in world-class research and collaborate with top international institutes. In terms of astrophysics, we have seen Africa, specifically South Africa, hosting the SKA and powerful SKA precursors such as MeerKAT.
I am optimistic that. in the next ten years, many African countries will be able to make significant contributions to scientific research, leading to Africa becoming self-sustainable soon.
Women are the backbone of families and communities. As the saying goes, “When you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” My contribution is to ensure that the research I produce is instrumental in putting Africa on the world map.
What is your general perception of Nigeria and Nigerians? If you consume Nigerian entertainment, who are your favourite Nigerian musicians or actors/actresses?
With the Nigerians that I have had the opportunity to be friends with, I have come to realise that they are very competitive and determined to achieve their goals.
When it comes to Nigerian entertainment, I have not been keeping up with it lately. However, I used to be a fan of Nollywood when I was growing up. At that time, I particularly liked Genevieve Nnaji.
As for music, I may not know the musicians by their names, but who doesn’t dance along to Nigerian music?
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