Theme: Biomimicry: Living in harmony with nature's genius

This theme honours the symbiotic relationship between human ingenuity and nature's brilliance. Through mimicking nature's designs and systems, we pioneer sustainable solutions to contemporary issues. This approach not only unveils innovative technologies but also nurtures a profound reverence for the intricate wisdom woven into the tapestry of life.

Pristine Private School
2 Amman Street
Dubai, Dubayy, 60830
United Arab Emirates

Hazim Mohamed Rifaz

Student

Hazim is an enterprising and goal-driven individual, always awaiting opportunities to try new things to widen his perspectives and gain indellible memories. He has a compelling personality, interested in a variety of fields and subjects from science to politics to sports. Valuing personal relationships, he strongly believes in gaining knowledge through experiences with people and finding solutions in the distinct perspectives and outlooks of different people from diverse backgrounds, making him quite the extrovert and inquisitive individual. Working towards becoming a mechanical engineer one day, he adores the challenge of a good, multi-faceted problem to solve, which tests the critical boundaries of his mind. In addition to all this, he often enjoys being absorbed into worlds of fiction and following a good story, building meaningful connections with characters, which he also hopes to do with all those who will be there for his Tedx Talk on biomimicry.

Heba Ghaffar

sustainable and renewable energy Engineer

Heba is an experienced engineer in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems with a bachelor's degree in sustainable and renewable energy from the University of Sharjah. After four years of work in Solar PV systems design, installation, and maintenance in City Solar, an EPC contracting company in Dubai, she realized that her passion is innovation and researching new revolutionary solutions for engineering problems. When she looked for how to foster this passion, she encountered the Biomimicry Master program at Arizona State University and realized it is the perfect knowledge and skills she needs to be creative in the domain of innovation and problem-solving. She completed this master's program which changed her view of design and engineering utterly because she discovered new rules, guidelines, ethos, and goals that all engineers and designers must abide by. So, she is currently working on distributing the meme of Biomimicry and applying it in personal planned engineering projects.

Lidya Kasem

Research Assistant

Lidya Kasem is an undergraduate academic and a research assistant at the United Arab Emirates University, majoring in speech-language pathology in the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. She is highly interested in the neural networks in the brain, and the biomarkers that evolutionarily and developmentally influence them to grow and reorganize, resulting in the constant rewiring of the brain. Interestingly, she perpetually endeavors to explore how one sensory modality can be metamorphosed into stimuli of another unique sensory modality to bravely support blind and hearing-impaired societies in their personal and professional lives. Advocating for individuals with rare genetic diseases, such as Lafora disease is one of her impressive tasks to give them optimism, power, and unflappable confidence in widely divergent spheres of life.

Michael Angelo Catacutan

Student

With an explosively positive personality, Michael is a jack of all trades who dabbles in many feats with public speaking being his primary passion. Fueled with interest in many social topics, he seizes all opportunities where he would be able to convey his message of peace and the desire to create utopian-like society. Beyond his extracurricular participation, Michael is a lively individual who enjoys communicating with others and never shies away from an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share his common passions for public speaking and discussing current news. Past his academic interests, Michael spends his free time indulging in the cinematic and musical arts, furthering his innovative abilities and passion for the creative arts.

Rida Arshad Shah

Commercial Scientific Specialist

Rida Arshad has always been enthralled by the wonders of biology and the potential of medical technology. Her passion for biology ignited at Pristine Private School, leading to a lifelong pursuit. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Medicine) at the American University of Sharjah.This educational pathway deepened her understanding of biological sciences and exposed her to the transformative possibilities of integrating medicine with technology. Today, Rida serves as a Commercial Scientific Specialist at Biorus in the UAE, where she leverages her expertise to enhance healthcare through innovative medical technologies. Her role is multifaceted, encompassing digital marketing and product research, enabling her to translate complex scientific concepts into practical healthcare solutions. Committed to education and advocacy, Rida actively promotes understanding of medical advancements within the community, aiming to inspire future generations.

Samiya Zahra Syed

architect

Samiya Zahra is an aspiring architect, a multifaceted creative with an enduring passion for art and design from a young age. Her canvas spans across biology and sciences, where her dedication cultivates expertise as she tirelessly hones her skills. Public speaking is a joy for her, alongside a deep love for reading and writing, crafting her own narratives and stories which she constructs and illustrates. With a knack for organization, she adeptly coordinates those a part of her project. Whether she's captivating audiences with her words or crafting her next masterpiece, With dreams as grand as her designs, she's on a mission to redefine what it means to be an architect. In her exploration of biomimicry, Samiya embodies the essence of this concept through her multifaceted creativity and passion for biology and design. Like nature itself, she has honed her skills over time, drawing inspiration from the natural world, which she hopes to share with all of you.