Women
By Anthony Isibor
CHISOM Akujobi- Ezeonyeka, Power Electronics Systems Engineer at Rootwave Ltd has become the first in the Society’s Top 50 Women in Engineering for 2023.
WES made the disclosure at the just concluded International Women in Engineering, INWE Day 2023 held on June 23.
Chisom, who is the only female engineer at RootWave’s, was nominated for creating an eco-friendly alternative to herbicides by developing a patented high frequency electrical weed control technology for agricultural applications.
Her work will be able to kill weeds using electricity and zero chemicals. Chisom’s designs make it possible for farmers to have a safe alternative to kill weed and protect crops, humans and the environment. Thus, contributing to 9 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals such as zero hunger, good health, clean water, life below water and life on land.
WES explains that herbicide application have been a common weed control method, especially in agricultural sector, however, due to climate change, weed has become more resistant to herbicides.
Also, herbicides have been classed as carcinogenic and found to upsurge plant fungi diseases and decline amphibians as a result of contaminated surface run off. These have contributed to restricted use of herbicides and birthed the need for environmental friendly solutions to kill weed.
According to her profile read at the INWE Day, Chisom was born in 1991 in Abia State, Nigeria to Robinson Akujobi, a bursar at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, and Ogechi Uche-Akujobi, a chartered accountant.
She attended Federal Government Girls’ Secondary School, Owerri where she obtained her WASSCE before she proceeded to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the Federal University of Technology Owerri.
After her youth service, she moved to the United Kingdom where she earned an MSc. in Electric Power Engineering at Newcastle University. She has since worked in automotive, instrumentation and control sectors where she led projects that develop bespoke prototype technology.
Currently, she works with Rootwave Ltd. United Kingdom; an electronic company that has a patented technology to kill weed with electricity and zero chemicals. Chisom is the only female Power Electronics Engineer in Rootwave.
“Since joining, she has designed and developed the central intelligence system that manages and delivers high power at high frequency to instantly kill weed which decomposes and returns to the soil as nutrients.
“Chisom strives to encourage younger people, especially girls into STEM by volunteering as a STEM Ambassador. She recommends more women into STEM roles and organises CV reviews and mock interview sessions for them.
She also hosts online and in-person sessions for 13 to 17 year olds on the importance of Engineering and how to get into STEM.
This aims at exposing students to the industry and its requirements. Chisom also volunteers as a School Governor in a primary school, contributing to strategies and policies on safeguarding and curriculum.
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– June 29, 2023 @ 13:33 GMT |
Tags: Anthony Isibor Rootwave Ltd.
