Juliana Rotich

Dr. Juliana Rotich—Kenyan computer scientist born in 1977, developed a curiosity about science and technology at a young age. Growing up, she developed an interest in how things worked and enjoyed learning new ideas and attended school in Kenya (where she led her school’s computer club) before continuing her education in the United States at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science.

One of Dr. Rotich's most significant contributions to STEM is her role as a co-founder of Ushahidi, a technology platform created to collect and map information during crises such as riots, allowing citizens to report such events anonymously. The platform was first developed after Kenya's 2007 post-election violence to help citizens report incidents in real time due to government censorship in the media. Ushahidi later became a global tool used during natural disasters, elections, and humanitarian emergencies around the world.

Apart from her work regarding Ushahidi, Dr. Rotich has encouraged creativity, entrepreneurship, and the inclusion of women in technology. She has mentored young people, motivated girls to pursue STEM careers, and worked to improve access to digital opportunities across Africa. Her passion for STEM has earned her recognition as a pioneer and advocate for it presently. Today, Dr. Juliana Rotich serves as a role model for aspiring scientists, engineers, and women in STEM, and her journey stands as a wonderful example of how determination contributes to building a better society for everyone.