Conference
Secretariat

Eng. Dr Julius Butime is an internationally recognised leader in engineering education and capacity building, with over 14 years of experience spanning Africa and Europe. As the pioneering Dean of the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences at Strathmore University, Dr Butime has aligned academic excellence with industrial demands — focusing on technology-driven solutions for climate resilience.

A Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador, Dr Butime is a central figure in harmonising battery technology research with sustainable energy systems across the continent, and serves as Co-PI for the Multidisciplinary Mobility for a Climate Resilient Africa grant.

Cynthia Mkabane is an Electrical and Electronics Engineer and a renewable energy and sustainable energy systems enthusiast. As the local programs delivery lead for the EMBATCON Conference, Cynthia brings both technical expertise and practical industry experience to the intersection of battery innovation and localized energy solutions.

Cynthia currently serves as a Teaching Fellow and Researcher at Strathmore University's School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, where she conducts research in battery technology and sustainable energy transitions, teaches different units in both engineering and computing. Her industry background includes working within the State Department of Housing and Urban Development among others, where she contributed to Building services Design while incorporating renewable energy technologies like solar.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and a Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Transitions from Strathmore University.

Neema Oribo is an Electrical Engineer specializing in sustainable energy systems, utility power systems, energy access, and renewable energy technologies. Her work focuses on advancing safe, reliable, and sustainable electricity systems through research, policy, standards, and implementation.

Currently, she serves as a Research Assistant and Graduate Assistant at Strathmore University, School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, contributing to projects in e-mobility, e-cooking, energy efficiency, productive use of energy, and energy policy and regulation. She is also pursuing a Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Transitions at Strathmore University.

She is a member of AFSEC ATC 82 and an IEC Young Professional, with interests in standards development, conformity assessment, and the role of policy and innovation in accelerating Africa's energy transition.

Her work also explores gender and social inclusion in energy systems, with a particular focus on increasing opportunities for women in the renewable energy sector and improving access to productive and modern energy services. She is committed to developing sustainable energy solutions that address Africa's energy challenges while delivering long-term social and economic impact.

Daniel Simiyu is a Machine Learning Researcher, educator, and technology professional affiliated with the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences at Strathmore University, Kenya. He serves as a Junior Research Fellow, Part-Time Teaching Fellow, and Machine Learning Researcher at the School's Makerspace Lab, where he contributes to the development of innovative AI-driven solutions for societal and environmental challenges.

Daniel holds a Master of Science in Information Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology from Strathmore University. His research interests include applied artificial intelligence, machine learning, renewable energy optimization, climate resilience, conservation technology, data governance, and smart systems.

His work spans diverse domains including weather forecasting, climate resilience, renewable energy systems, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and environmental monitoring. Notably, he has published research on machine learning-based acoustic monitoring systems for detecting illegal logging activities.

Beyond research, Daniel has extensive experience in software development, grant proposal writing, project administration, and capacity-building initiatives. He is passionate about harnessing artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to address real-world challenges and advance sustainable development across Africa.

Serena Cheres is an electrical engineer and battery integration specialist dedicated to advancing energy storage ecosystems and sustainable energy systems. As the local Industry Partnerships & Collaborations Lead for the EMBATCON Conference, Serena brings both technical expertise and practical industry experience to the intersection of battery innovation and localized energy solutions.

Serena currently serves as a Graduate Assistant at Strathmore University's School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, where she conducts research in battery technology and sustainable energy transitions. Her industry background includes working within the R&D team at Roam Electric, where she contributed to battery design, verification, and validation for the Roam Air battery packs, and conducted data analysis for drive cycle performance.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Transitions at Strathmore University.

Regina Kithuka has been the School Manager at the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences at Strathmore University since 2017. She holds an MA degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology from the University of Nairobi.

David Kiogora Kimathi is a seasoned communications strategist and multimedia specialist dedicated to amplifying the impact of technical innovation. As Communications Officer for Content Development at Strathmore University's School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, David leads strategic storytelling that brings complex research to a global audience.

With a background in journalism and digital media from Africa Nazarene University, David has produced high-stakes content for TV47 and international NGOs — translating technical breakthroughs into compelling human-centred narratives.