Hemanshi Galaiya

Out of a troubled home life in her early years, Kenyan born Hemanshi Galaiya’s mother's emphasis on education as a key to a better life became her guiding principle. School provided a sanctuary where Hemanshi excelled academically and in extracurricular activities, ignited by early successes including winning a prize for an environmental essay. Facing down gender biases and limited resources in science education, her passion for STEM was rekindled by a supportive physics teacher, leading her to pursue engineering against prevailing stereotypes.

Winning a scholarship to study abroad was a turning point, the multidisciplinary nature of engineering education initially overwhelming her, but support from the Women in Engineering Society helped her overcome imposter syndrome. She graduated with high honours, becoming the first university graduate and engineer in her family. Her academic journey was not just about personal achievement; through various outreach and leadership roles, she realized the importance of nurturing scientific skills early, founding Young Stripes, a social enterprise to provide quality STEM education to young Kenyans, impacting over 50,000 individuals globally.

Global climate crises, like the floods in Kenya, further motivated Hemanshi to use her education for environmental remediation. As a PhD student, she is developing technologies to transform pollutant gases into bioplastics. Her ambition extends to creating Kenya’s first science museum, aiming to foster curiosity and innovation among future generations. At the University of Sheffield, she achieved top marks, engaged in impactful research, and led significant projects, including the development of a prototype for process automation.

Her impact on her peers is profound. Not only has she held leadership positions, advocated for gender equality in STEM, and mentored aspiring engineers, but her initiatives, such as banning single-use water bottles and enhancing professional development opportunities for women, have gained recognition for their real-world application. As an International Engineering Ambassador, she has helped many students from Kenya secure scholarships and admission to Sheffield University.

Hemanshi’s significant contributions to her community include her extensive volunteering, delivering career talks, and supporting social causes, for instance, through Young Stripes, she provides free coding programs and hands-on STEM education to underprivileged students. The initiative also offers flexible work opportunities to high-potential university students from disadvantaged backgrounds, enhancing their employability and academic prospects.

Hemanshi’s journey is a testament to creativity and innovation. Her blogs to inspire young STEM enthusiasts, co-developing educational books and camps, and reimagining STEM learning through Young Stripes are all examples of this and her entrepreneurial skills have enabled her to practically support young leaders, deliver workshops, and give talks on subjects such as overcoming imposter syndrome.

A member of the Sheffield Engineering Leadership Academy and other international platforms, she has fostered cross-cultural understanding and teamwork, winning recognition as a "25 under 25 Young Achiever" and a "Rising Impact Maker in Africa", underscoring her commitment to global empowerment. Presenting her work at international forums and securing research grants for collaborative projects further highlight her contributions to scientific advancement and global citizenship.