“I believe my work is making an impact on the African continent through initiatives that empower individuals living with disabilities and promote sustainable, locally-driven technological solutions. Drawing from my capstone project at Union College and my proposal funded by the Davis Projects for Peace, I have designed assistive systems, such as an automated greenhouse, to help people with developmental disabilities achieve greater independence. Additionally, through my current Master's research proposal on NLP and assistive technologies for Zimbabwe and Sub-Saharan Africa, I aim to develop tools that address speech impairments and mobility challenges. By focusing on affordability, cultural relevance, and local engagement, my work includes designing mobility devices suited for rugged terrains, creating predictive text models for underrepresented African languages, and collaborating with local organizations to ensure community-driven solutions.”
Delvin
Home country: Zimbabwe
University: Union College, 2024
Major: Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Ashinaga Proposal Topic: Developing NLP and Assistive Technologies for People Living with Disabilities in Zimbabwe and Sub-Saharan Africa
I am currently doing a Master's Degree at UC Berkeley majoring in Information Management and Systems under the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. My concentration is on Machine learning and assistive IoT devices.
My goal in life is to leverage technology to create inclusive and assistive solutions that empower individuals, particularly those living with disabilities, to live more independent and fulfilling lives. By combining my technical expertise in data engineering, software development, and automation with my passion for innovation, I strive to develop user-centered technologies that address real-world challenges
Connect with Delvin on LinkedIn
Experience:
◦ Volunteering Intern at African Diaspora Network
◦ Data Engineering Intern at Amazon
◦ Software Developer Intern at Siemens
◦ Davis Projects for Peace Fellowship (Built user-friendly toilets at a remote school in Zimbabwe)
Professional Interests:
◦ I want to work in the field of Data Engineering for the short term. In the long term, I want to research and build assistive technologies such as hearing aids and smart prosthetics at a lower cost for people living with disabilities.
Skills:
◦ Programming and Software Development
◦ Data Engineering and Analysis
◦ AI and Machine Learning
◦ Research and Analysis
◦ Innovation and Problem-Solving
◦ Project Management