The Body & The Blueprint

The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily represent the official views, positions, or policies of the Australian High Commission Kenya.

In the second episode of the 'Saying the African Part Out Loud' series with the Australian High Commission Kenya, Lilly sits down with Hemanshi Galaiya — Kenyan bioengineer, social entrepreneur, and PhD candidate at the University of Queensland — to explore how science, identity, and purpose intersect.

From her early days as a self-proclaimed "nerd" in Nairobi to earning global recognition as a 2024 finalist for the Global Student Prize, Hemanshi's journey takes us from being the first person in her family to pursue higher education to her current research in biomedical engineering. She shares her thoughts on why representation in science is about more than having "a seat at the table" and her philosophy for creating lasting systemic change.

We also dive into her award-winning social enterprise, Young Stripes, which brings frugal science and hands-on STEM education to children as young as four — breaking down barriers and sparking curiosity in the next generation of Kenyan scientists. Hemanshi offers hard-earned lessons on starting before you're "ready," the art of fearless networking, and scaling social impact sustainably.

Whether you're a young changemaker, an educator, or someone curious about how science can drive equity and environmental sustainability, this conversation is packed with insight, heart, and hope.

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