STEM DRC Initiative Leadership
The Leadership Team Includes STEM Professionals, Engineers, Scholars, Professors, Medical Experts & Information Technology Leaders.
Prof. Sandrine Ngalula Mubenga, PE
Founder and President
Dr. Ngalula Sandrine Mubenga, PE is Assistant Professor at the Engineering Technology Department at the University of Toledo (UT), Ohio, USA where she received the Bachelor’s (2005), Master’s (2008) and Doctorate (2017) degrees in Electrical Engineering with honors.
Her research areas include battery management systems, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. Her battery research won the 2018 IEEE National Aerospace & Electronics Conference Best Poster Award in the USA, while her hybrid electric vehicle research won the 2008 University of Toledo EECS Dept. Most Outstanding Thesis Award. Prior to this role, Sandrine was the Manager of Electrical Engineering at UT where she helped manage a $65 million budget. She is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Ohio, USA.
Sandrine is also an entrepreneur. Since 2011, she is the founder of SMIN Power Group, a solar developer with offices in the USA and in the D.R.Congo.
Philanthropic work was begun in 2018, when Sandrine founded the STEM DRC Initiative, a non-profit organization that aims to encourage Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) in the D.R.Congo.
As a Public Servant, She is Director General of the Electricity Regulatory Agency (ARE) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and a Member of the Board of Directors at the Société Nationale d’ Eléctricité, the main electric utility company in the D.R.Congo. and
Sandrine is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In 2009, she started and chaired the first IEEE Graduate of the Last Decade Group in the Toledo Section. She chaired the 2017 IEEE PowerAfrica Conference in Ghana with attendees from over 30 countries. Sandrine received many awards including the 2018 IEEE Engineer of the Year Award, the 2017 Africa Most Influential Women Award in Engineering and Manufacturing by CEO Magazine, and she was inducted in the 2018-2019 World Association of Cooperative Education Co-op Hall of Fame.
Carine Karlos, MBA
Treasurer
Karlos is an accountant who holds an Associate degree from the Universite Protestante du Congo, and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting. She is an aspiring CPA currently completing her Master’s degree in Accounting and Financial management with a focus on non-profit organization from the University of Maryland. She is a member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Karlos works as a reconciliation specialist at Benefits Strategies and is an active sponsor of an elementary school in Kinshasa. She is very passionate about working with and empowering the youth. Karlos’ has always believes that a strong Africa starts with providing the youth the tools and trainings necessary to be a successful part of the development of the continent.
Prof. Karine Ndoko Ioset, PhD
Science Leader
Karine Ndjoko Ioset is a circulating scholar between Switzerland, Germany and DR Congo. She is a Professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Lubumbashi and General Manager of the Excellence Scholarship Program named BEBUC (Bourse d’Excellence Bringmann aux Universités Congolaises), a partnership involving the University of Würzburg (Germany), 16 Congolese universities and 9 schools (http://www.foerderverein-uni-kinshasa.de/).
She earned her MSc and PhD degrees in Switzerland, from the Universities of Neuchâtel and Lausanne, respectively. She accomplished a post-doctorate stay in Copenhagen (Denmark). She specialized in nuclear magnetic resonance and separation techniques applied to natural products chemistry. She has led the Analytical Service of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Geneva (Switzerland) for twelve years. At this position, she brought analytical solutions to international companies (Novartis, Nestlé, Boerhinger Ingelheim and more), supervised MSc and PhD works, and taught hyphenated techniques to students from all over the world. She holds 50 publications, two book chapters and two scientific prizes (Alfred Vogel Award and Swiss Chemical Society). At the University of Lubumbashi, she teaches since 2015 and contributes in building a new curriculum in chemistry.
Since 2009, Karine Ndjoko Ioset has invested her academic and research expertise to implement a platform with innovative practices and policies enabling BEBUC scholars to build their curricula and become young skillful professors of tomorrow urgently needed in DRC. The renewal of the over-aging Congolese academic staff is the main objective of BEBUC. Karine Ndjoko Ioset has brought ideas to actions and political awareness on the fundamental necessity to sustain higher education through South-South partnership, to construct Africa-relevant research projects, to support young people, women in particular. As a female scientist, she inspires girls and women to pursue a career in STEM. She organizes woman seminars to guide them in their career, to overcome the barriers, to boost their visibility and to foster their leadership. With ca. 190 young academics, 34% of women and the first 8 already nominated professors in the Congo, BEBUC forms a kinship of scientists evolving at universities all around the world. BEBUC fosters women inclusion, nurtures excellence, integrity, leadership, and international cooperation.
Bob Lubamba, PhD
Science Leader
Bob Arthur Lubamba, PhD., is founder and chief executive officer of SciBioix Consulting, and Senior Scientist at SciKon innovation. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences at the Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. He has a Master’s degree in Physiology, Biomolecular and Therapeutics from Université Francois Rabelais, Tours, France. He was Research associate at Marsico Lung Institute at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA from 2016 to 2018. He was Postdoc Research associate at The Cystic Fibrosis and Pulmonary Diseases Research and Treatment Center (CF Center) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA from 2011 to 2016. He has had extensive Research academic experience and Leadership experience.
Dr. Lubamba’s research has focused on drug development and inflammatory diseases, with specialization in unfolded protein response pathway, immunology, and inflammatory mechanisms in lung Diseases. He has an extensive experience in translational research, respiratory diseases modeling systems and pathophysiology. He has been the Principal Investigator on many funded grants that aim to understand lung diseases and drug development. He is author of multiple journal articles and book chapter.
Dr. Lubamba is a member of European Respiratory Society, The American Heart Association, Society for Mucosal Immunology, Journal Reviewer for International Journal of Molecular sciences, Editorial Board Member of International Journal of Immunology National Academy of Medicine, and a recipient of the Belgium Royal Academy of medicine award (Albert-Pierre – Jean DUSTIN (2003-2007)). At SciBioix Consulting, He offers project delivery expertise to clients in biologics, pharmaceutical, medical device and combination product industries. Services include engineering, scientific, quality and regulatory support, preclinical drug development consulting services with expertise in toxicology technology and IT services.
Danny Byabene, BS, PMP®
Technology Leader
Danny was born in Bambu-Mines, a small locality near Bunia, in the current Ituri Province in DRC forty years ago. His father was working as a psychologist for the then Big Gold Mining parastatal company Office des Mines d’Or de Kilo Moto (OKIMO) before moving from north to south, from Gold to Copper in Katanga region, where he joined Gecamines. Danny completed his primary education at the “then” prestigious Gecamines’ owned Maadini Primary School. Inspired by Japan and SciFi movies (initial STEM call?), Danny joined the most famous Technical Secondary school in the region, Institut Technique de Mutoshi in Kolwezi, also belonging to Gecamines. The ethnic crisis in the 90s forced the family to move to Bukavu in South Kivu for security. Danny then joined the Jesuits college Alfajiri where he completed his secondary studies in Bio-Chemistry with Distinction.
Keeping his dream of engineering studies, he enrolled in the Polytechnic Faculty of the University of Kinshasa in 1999. Despite passing his preparatory year, he decided to join the brand new department of Computer Sciences in the newly renamed Mathematics and Informatics Department in the Faculty of Sciences. In April 2006, he completed his Bachelor Degree in Computer Sciences with “Grande Distinction”.
Professionally speaking, Danny started as a Telecom Engineer with Chinese Giant Huawei Technologies in early May 2006 before moving in 2011 to the Indian Group Bharti Enterprises. He worked at Centum Learning, the training branch in DRC, Congo Brazzaville, Gabon and Madagascar as Training Consultant, and then moved to the Infrastructure branch, Africa Towers DRC and Gabon. Later he joined the Telecom operator Airtel DRC as Head of Project Management Office and Executive Assistant to the Managing Director. Today, Danny is heading the Supply Chain Management Department of Airtel DRC.
Danny is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He is keen to give back to his community and his profession by volunteering with the Project Management Institute. He has been co-founding member of the DRC Chapter and is current President of the Chapter Board. He is Associate Partner of the Academy of Science and Technology (ASCITECH), a newly established school promoting STEM in its curriculum from Kindergarten to University. Danny is also Founding Partner of the Consular school ABC in Bujumbura.
Danny is a happy husband to Nancy and father to Malkiya and Imani.
Dody Lumingu,
Technology Leader
Dody Lumingu is an IT infrastructure engineer graduated from the School of Engineering of the National Conservatory of Arts and Trades in France. He specializes in Cybersecurity and Information and Communication Technologies for Education (ICT). He has over 15 years of experience in France and Canada, where he has held positions as Architect-Designer, Engineer and IT Project Manager. In 2016, he founded the startup LUMS Global based in Kinshasa and working in the fields of ICT.
He designed and put on the European market “NetBoxSecure”, an innovative firewall (UTM) designed to secure the networks of companies. He is also the designer of DodyBOX,
a technology gateway for free and unlimited educational web access. It aims to deploy its invention in all ESU institutions. He joined the stemDRC to help promote and popularize science among the DRC youth.
Amadou Niane, MBA
Technology Leader
Amadou Niane is a System Engineer, an IT professional with a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Franklin University in 2011.
My qualifications include 10 years of experience in IT operations, infrastructure support, application support and mobile device management.
My experience also includes knowledge of Windows, SCCM, SOTI, JAMF, MICROSOFT INTUNE, AND ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES.
I am a multi-task oriented, enjoy challenges, and continually stay abreast of the latest advancements in Information Technology.
I currently work for Biglots Inc as a System Engineer. I support four distribution centers. I manage up to 1000 end points devices. I received my MBA (Master’s in Business Administration) in Applied Management from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2018. I am a fervent believer in Blockchain technology. I am the founder of cryptonerdz.com. I wrote couple of articles in French about Blockchain, Bitcoin and altcoin or cryptomonnaie
Dr Wale Odukomaiya, Phd
Engineering Leader
Dr. Wale Odukomaiya is an experienced researcher, engineer, and scientist with expertise in building energy science/technology, thermal energy storage materials and systems, electro-mechanical energy storage, and renewable/distributed energy systems integration including policy and economics.
Dr. Odukomaiya currently serves as a Director’s Fellow at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, USA, the United States Department of Energy’s flagship research center for renewable energy and energy efficiency. His current work at NREL is focused on the development and characterization of novel low temperature combined thermal and moisture storage materials for buildings. Prior to this, he spent 3.5 years as a research associate at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, another US Department of Energy research laboratory. Dr. Odukomaiya was educated at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he obtained a Bachelors, Masters, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Heat Transfer and Energy Systems.
Dr. Odukomaiya has published over 15 peer-reviewed research papers and holds a patent on combined compressed gas/pumped hydro electricity storage with waste heat recovery capabilities. He is passionate about energy technologies, improving energy access in developing regions, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, especially those from groups historically underrepresented in these fields.
Djami Kokona, MSEE
Engineering Leader
Djami Kakona is a senior engineer with specification in electrical Power engineering. With about 10 years work experience around multi international companies around the world. He is a graduate from Wayne State University in Michigan United States and hold a Master’s degree in electrical engineering (2017) and bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (2013) from Tshwane University of Technology Pretoria South Africa. He has worked in the mining, semiconductor, automotive and commercial industries.
He is a Knowledgeable Electrical Engineer with strong understanding of Electrical Engineering principles, techniques, design and engineering management’s tools with a Proven strong technical and computer abilities using variety of software and equipment with more focus on high, medium and low voltage power system. Strong communication abilities along with exceptional problem solving, management and troubleshooting skills, Hardworking, highly motivated, team player, creative, ready for challenges but also open minded.
Djami is also an entrepreneur. Since 2017, he is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of DK Group LLC an automation vending machine provider in Arizona USA.
Djami is a member of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Deborah Mobula, EIT
Engineering Leader
“Deborah Mobula, EIT is a Roadway Designer at Arcadis, Inc. Deborah obtained her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toledo (UT), in Toledo, Ohio in 2017. Deborah’s role consists of working in teams with other senior engineers by performing the geometric design of highways and streets in the state of Georgia. She had previously worked on major projects in different states (Ohio, Illinois, Michigan) where she learned requirements of roadway and highway design from states’ Departments of Transportation.
Deborah is currently involved in and serves in several professional organizations. She is an active member of Women in Transportation Seminar (WTS), where she participates in outreach events with her firm, and a professional member of the American Society of Highway Engineers. Within her organization, Deborah is a member of Toastmasters International, an international organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills, where she serves as the Vice President of Education.
During her college years, Deborah served in many capacities, and held several leadership positions in different organizations on her college campus. She was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, where she served as the treasurer for a year. She was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers for 3 years, and served as the Executive Assistant during her last year of college.
Deborah was also a member of the University of Toledo Engineering Council for 3 years, and served as the Executive Vice President, as well as the vice President of Corporate and Community Outreach for a semester during her senior year. Deborah was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and is a lifetime member of Chi Epsilon, the Civil Engineering National Honors Society, where she served as an editor her last year of college.
Deborah is excited to join STEM DRC to serve in any capacity as a role model to young engineers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Within STEM DRC, Deborah is more excited about encouraging, empowering and reaching out to young women in the country, and stir their interest in STEM.
Lonn Dugan, M.A.
USA Fundraising Lead
Lonn Dugan is Founder of BIG Marketing Solutions LLC and brings experience in Traditional & Digital Marketing to his role at STEM DRC Initiative. Dugan studied at the University of Toledo, having accomplished an Associates Degree in Sales and Marketing Technology, a Bachelors Degree in Business and Organizational Technology (Graduating Cum Laude), and a Master of Liberal Studies with Concentration in Marketing Communications.
Dugan is passionate about helping STEM DRC Initiative provide STEM Scholarships to worthy students. The program is making a profound investment in the Social and Economic future of the DRC. His contributions to the USA Fundraising effort include work on Image, Identity, Value Proposition, Brand Management, Web Design and Development, Content Strategies, Sales Stories, Copy Writing, Public Relations, SEO efforts, Grant Writing, and more.
Previous Work:
- Produced Hundreds of Websites
- Marketing Manager at a Mortgage Bank
- Marketing Manager at a Cable TV Channel
- President of a Global Niche Market Leading Health & Beauty Manufacturer
Additional skills / Interests: Strategic Planning, Business Planning, Opportunity Analysis, Brand Management, Reputation Management, Social Media Management, Marketing Plans, Value Propositions, Positioning Statements, Promotional Plans, Public Relations campaigns, WordPress Web Design and Development, Powerpoint Presentations, SEO and Local Search Marketing.
African Proverb:
Leadership
Prof. Sandrine Ngalula Mubenga, PE, Founder and President
Carine Karlos, MBA, Treasurer
Prof. Karine Ndoko Ioset, PhD
Science Leader
Bob Lubamba, PhD
Science Leader
Danny Byabene, BS, PMP®
Technology Leader
Dody Lumingu,
Technology Leader
Amadou Niane, MBA
Technology Leader
Dr Wale Odukomaiya, Phd
Engineering Leader
Djami Kokona, MSEE
Engineering Leader
Deborah Mobula, EIT
Engineering Leader
Lonn Dugan, M.A.
USA Fundraising Lead