[Women in Engineering #1] [Women in Engineering #2] [Women in Engineering #3]
During Women’s Month, we spotlight a few remarkable women who have made significant strides in engineering since graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU). In a three-series Q&A campaign, we will highlight how these inspiring women showcase the profound impact engineering can have on society and the world. A set of questions was sent to several alumnae, and they have graciously shared their insights. In the first series, we feature the responses from three of these exceptional women. Their dedication, innovation, and passion continue to enhance lives and contribute to a better, more sustainable future.
The questions that were asked are:
- What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering, and how has your journey been since graduating from Stellenbosch University?
- Can you share a project or experience you are particularly proud of in your current job?
- How do you believe your work as an engineer enhances the lives of others and contributes to a better world?
- What unique challenges do you face in your engineering field, and how do you overcome them?
Melissa Cairns (Civil Engineering)
Since graduating from SU with an MEng Cum Laude in 2023, Melissa says her journey in coastal engineering has been challenging and rewarding. Her rigorous training prepared her well for diverse projects, ranging from small-scale coastal defenses to large, multidisciplinary undertakings aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Melissa recently had the opportunity to present her master’s research on a new concrete armour unit called the Cubilok at the 35th PIANC World Congress. “This was an incredible chance provided by PRDW Consulting Port and Coastal Engineers, where I interacted with experts from around the world and attended presentations on the latest developments in the field,” she says.
She believes coastal engineering is crucial in addressing global challenges like climate change, sea-level rise and natural disasters. She adds: “Coastal engineering helps protect people from the impacts of erosion and flooding, ensuring the safety and resilience of coastal communities, as well as supporting the development of infrastructure necessary for waterborne transport.”
One challenge she faces in her field is the unpredictability of natural systems. “Coastal environments are dynamic and influenced by factors like climate change, adding complexity to our work,” she says. To address challenges, Melissa believes continuous learning is essential. “Mentorship has greatly contributed to my growth, as learning from experienced engineers and sharing knowledge with peers creates a strong support network. Teamwork is also crucial; collaborating with colleagues from various disciplines ensures effective solutions.”
Kazia Luterek (Mechanical Engineering)
Kazia Luterek’s passion for engineering was ignited in Grade 11 during her participation in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. “It was during this project that I knew my passion for problem-solving and my innate curiosity about how the world around us works, together with a love for mathematics and science, made mechanical engineering the obvious choice for me. Engineering equipped me with the necessary skills and know-how to further nurture and develop these interests, which sparked my journey in the first place,” she says.
Since graduating from SU with a BEng, she has embarked on a career as a Data Scientist within the water utilities domain at Sand Technologies, applying her engineering skills to solve complex business problems. “My role involves the understanding of complex business problems surrounding the operationally efficient supply of clean water, as well as the responsible management of wastewater in the UK, and ultimately solving these problems using data science techniques such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning,” she explains.
Kazia is particularly proud to have developed a proof-of-concept Pollution Insights dashboard. This project helps water utility companies understand the causal relationships between pumping stations, external factors and pollution, ultimately reducing environmental impacts.
She believes that through engineering and data science, she can conduct thorough root cause analyses and develop machine learning models to predict pollution, flooding and leaks, contributing to a better world. “The insights obtained from these models inform and drive interventions, whether to optimise operations or focus maintenance needs, which ultimately help us to protect one of our most precious resources, water,” she says.
Kazia adds that her mechanical engineering background equipped her with quantitative and analytical skills, problem-solving techniques and resilience to work under pressure. “Mechanical engineering also taught me that I have a responsibility towards society to give back by solving real-world problems and providing mentorship.”
Photograph:
(left) Melissa Cairns conducting hydraulic model testing in a flume at the CSIR in Stellenbosch.
(right) Kazia Luterek reviewing an intern project on the spatiotemporal analysis of water quality to assess river health.
