Our Team

A graduate student at CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi, India. An interest in communicating science led me to Planet Divoc-91 and it has overall helped me brew some Positivi- TEA and build up a collective sense of community as youth amidst all the uncertainties. Having a safe space to research, ideate, share, interview, write and make films about the pandemic was the most fulfilling part for me! Also grateful for the wonderful friends that I have gained through this project! Otherwise dancing, chai and doodling keeps me sane!

I’m Noah, a 19 year old transgender male that loves photography.

I’m a 22-year-old writer from Manchester, currently working as an Events Programmer for Get It Loud in Libraries. During the Planet Divoc-91 project, I’ve had the opportunity to improve my interview technique by speaking to a number of medical professionals including Sir Patrick Vallance, Prof. Sir Robert Lechler and Dr. Lisa Pierre and have gained the skills to communicate scientific principles to a wider audience. In the future, I’d like to do more work as a freelance journalist and apply the skills I’ve learnt to a career in the music industry.

I have always been interested in medicine and research so being part of this project and learning more about research has been a very rewarding experience for me. The fact that the project gave us a platform to give our opinions on things that matter to us that could’ve been overlooked in the past, and be able to provide a different perspective for those undertaking the research has helped me a lot in terms of piquing my interest to undertake research in the future and motivates me to use such platforms to help get young adults voices heard.

Hello! I am a science communicator by heart, education, and profession. I have worked for/volunteered at science centers, science shows, developed science workshops, organised events for science festivals (India & Scotland). I want to work on making science communication more accessible and inclusive.  I’m interested in learning new things in science, art and craft, theatre, dance, and the amalgamation of the mentioned for Public Engagement. Storytelling is close to my heart and comics form a special part of my childhood! Planet DIVOC-91 has been a platform for me to engage in immersive dialogues and grow as a better person.

As someone who is new to speaking up and bringing opinions to a big platform, being a part of this group has made it a lot more easier and given me experience to go on to do things I didn’t think I’d be able to do! I love media so it was definitely something I wanted to take part in and do the best I can because I knew I’d connect with new people. To meet new people and connect with so many other voices around the world is incredible and the journey has been absolutely amazing so far. The job Planet Divoc-91 has done so far is outstanding and I’ll be forever grateful with the platform I’ve been given!

Eman (she/her) is a 23-year-old MBA graduate from Kolkata, India. She is a social activist at heart and strives to express herself through creative ventures. Eman is a strong believer in Freedom of Speech and Equity for all and that no one is too small to bring about change. She lives by “Carpe Diem” as her motto.

I am 17 years old. Originally Syrian but I live in Manchester. Since my passion lies in science, I wanted to join a research group, and I am very glad that that group happened to be Vocal. Currently, I am doing my A-Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Spanish. I initially got involved in the Planet Divoc-91 project because I was a part of Vocal before that. However, through this project, I discovered new passions like discussing important topics and developed lots of new skills e.g. being able to think of questions at the spot. It’s amazing!

I am a 24 year old Graduate, from Brighton university and have focused especially with my masters on the community and human centric philosophy of Ubuntu. Ubuntu stresses the importance of both community and being human through acting according to our rational senses. And the platform which Planet Divoc-91 project has offered has allowed me and many other young persons to form a sense of community in the face of isolation, and through the intellectual engagement of creativity share and explore our experiences. And I am so honoured to be a part of such a fundamentally fulfilling and uniquely fulfilling platform and project.

After graduating last summer from Durham University, I have spent time gaining experience in research and communications. I am currently tutoring Geography and working as a sustainability researcher for Bristol airport. My interest in the effects of the pandemic on mental health led to my involvement in the project. Having a space for young people to research, interview and write about the pandemic seemed most inspiring! My favourite part of the project was writing an article for the final issue of the magazine about vaccine communication and agency. I hope to write more pieces like this in the future!

Vishwadeep(He/Him) is currently pursuing his PhD at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. For his doctoral thesis he is working on the mechanics behind development of shapes in leaves. He identifies himself as queer by gender identity and has a significant interest in working on LGBT+ issues in STEM and other aspects of society. Apart from the scientific academics, he is passionate about research on gender parity in academia and has worked on it from a research point of view. He likes writing on philosophy and issues that are stigmatized in the LGBT+ community. Apart from that, he is passionate about conservation and environmental issues. In his spare time, he draws ‘Mandala art’.

My name is Hester Nontobeko Mcanda. I studied HR and I am busy studying project management. I am now part of Young & Curious too. Being Young, fun but very serious about matters that indulge in the growth of my community and the young people from my community is my passion. Challenges are a part of growth and I enjoy challenges and being challenged, as it keeps me on my feet.

My name is Khangelani Mgoqi. I am a young & curious creative from South Africa. Currently doing my final year in Visual Communication majoring in Multimedia design. My world revolves around the practices and ideas of design, creative arts, science, technology and religion. Quite evident that I believe that everything is connected and that me and you are part of a system that is ever evolving.

My name is Mfuneko Mtshofeni known as Miyagi I enjoy mostly spending time singing and composing songs, I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I love cooking and spending time with Children is my passion. I’ve been writing short stories and been thinking out of the box. I love exploring, I’ve never been to a lot of countries but I’d love to travel to few of my favorite places to countries.

Sreshtha Mondal is a PhD Scholar in Science Communication and Cognition in NIAS, IISc Campus, Bengaluru, India. With a prior background in life sciences, she also has a keen interest in science policy and actively engages women in STEM. Her passion for performing arts reflects through her training in Kathak- an Indian classical dance form. Her other hobbies include quizzing, exploring music and reading. At the amalgamation of such interests and talents, previously, she has been a fellow of the Microsoft-WWF India Create to Inspire fellowship, where performing arts were utilised to campaign for urban ecology in New Delhi, India.

Aviwe is a proactive, disciplined young man, excited to be at the development phase as a software developer. Aviwe is motivated and unafraid to be involved in different spaces that challenge’s his innovative thinking. Aviwe has built a business over the last 2 years which he believes now is ready after developing a game plan and strategy. He believes that he has a strategy to build the business but also to be a changemaker in the business industry. He is also a part of a group of “young people” called Young & Curious. They use arts-based, participatory methodologies to help young people tell their stories and define what matters to them.

Hi I’m Lucy, I contributed 2 articles + 1 illustration to the PD-91 project alongside feeding in general ideas to the story. I’m a science student but am also passionate about the arts, and have enjoyed the chance this project has given me to explore the two areas while working with some very cool people! The different young people’s groups that have fed into the project (including Voice Up, where I come from), as well as the project itself, are – I believe – excellent examples of youth involvement in arts, science and research. Let’s keep up the collaboration projects!  

I am Aishwarya, a dentist and an aspiring public health professional from India. I am inclined towards social entrepreneurship to ring solutions for health challenges that we face collectively as a society and bring the dimension of equity to the forefront. I want to use my voice on various platforms to promote evidence based information and disseminate public health literacy. Apart from the professional endeavors, I am mostly interested in cooking, reading non fiction and pursuing my fitness goals. I believe I can be the true ambassador of ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ as I am a lifelong learner of everything that is new and intriguing!

Rashmi Sheoran is a Physics Graduate from the University of Delhi (2020) and multimedia science communicator, mostly known for her project Astro Roxy for which she recently even won an international scicomm competition. She currently works at Spaceonova – India’s leading space education company based in Delhi NCR as their Chief Astronomical Officer and senior instructor. She is also a Guinness Record Holder. She spends her time doing astrophotography, producing content, binge-watching anime, playing online games and learning about mental health.

Phelisa Sikwata is a multifaceted artist from South Africa, committed in creating work that influences systematic change. Her core artistic medium is poetry writing, in which she too uses in her paintings. As part of Planet Divoc 91 webcomic series, Sikwata has served as a youth member in the steering committee, had her paintings and two articles on social observation featured on the comic. As Sikwata embarks on new artistic spaces, Planet Divoc91, Chapter 8: Remembering to Return is her comic writing debut.

I am 21 years old and I am from Warrington. I am currently a final year BA History student at the University of Leeds, going on to study a Masters degree in Social and Cultural History in September 2021. I got involved in this project to expand my writing experience and to talk to lots of interesting people. This project has been incredibly insightful and it has been a pleasure to see the hard work of so many talented young people. I hope that it educates and inspires many more people around the world.

I am a 24-years-old life science enthusiast, currently contributing to Malaria eradication research program as a Research Assistant at Malaria Research Center, Sardar Patel Medical College, India. With the zeal for bridging the gap between Research and clinical practice, I am Pursuing research with a bit of spice and zest of humor but most of the time, stuck between perfectionism and procrastination. When not doing research, I can be found exploring different cultures, Dancing or seeking adventures in science. Planet Divoc-91 is an incredible example of one such adventures. Listening to all the influential people made me learn to go for nothing but Impact!!

I am a 21-year old university student and a mental health enthusiast who believes mental health matters and that equity can change the world for the better. I usually see myself appreciating Van Gogh’s Art, reading Rega Jha’s book/ essay recommendations and watching sports religiously. *Cue F1 theme song ;). Super glad I met the amazing people that I did during this project and I am grateful for the values I learnt. Planet Divoc-91 project has been my pandemic savior and I will always be short of words to describe my experience with the project and the people here.