Who you build with.

Michael Oyinloye

PhD Researcher, Chemical Engineering, KAUST

Michael Oyinloye is a PhD researcher in Chemical Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), working at the intersection of experimental and computational fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, and low temperature carbon capture. His research explores cryogenic approaches to capturing CO₂ from industrial emissions, combining computational modelling with experimental investigation to address one of the defining challenges of the energy transition. He holds an MSc in Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering from KAUST and a BSc in Oil and Gas Engineering from KNRTU, Russia, with over nine years of research experience in the energy field. Beyond the laboratory, Michael has held leadership roles across international professional and student organisations and is passionate about entrepreneurship, collaboration, and developing sustainable technologies.

Bamiwo Adelere

Researcher, Bio and Medical Technologies, Skoltech

Bamiwo Adelere is an early career researcher at the Center for Bio and Medical Technologies at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), where he investigates the biological mechanisms underlying phage host interactions and their potential applications in addressing antimicrobial resistance. With academic training in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology, his work brings together biochemical, molecular, and bioinformatic approaches to fundamental biological questions. Bamiwo has also contributed to interdisciplinary innovation projects spanning autonomous aerial systems for environmental monitoring and generative AI for scientific and creative applications. Beyond research, he is passionate about teaching, mentorship, and science communication, creating educational content that makes complex scientific discoveries accessible to wider audiences.

Ameh Emmanuel Sunday

PhD Researcher, Cornell University

Ameh Emmanuel Sunday is a PhD researcher at Cornell University working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computational science, data driven modelling, and large scale engineering systems. His research focuses on using computational and machine learning methods to understand, model, and control complex engineering systems, translating advanced mathematical and computational techniques into practical approaches for real world problems. He holds a Master's degree from Cornell University and has presented his research at leading universities and scientific conferences in the United States and internationally, supported by competitive research fellowships and funding including support from the U.S. National Science Foundation. Beyond research, Ameh is deeply committed to mentorship and STEM education, helping young people navigate opportunities in research, technology, and higher education.

Chem Chikweze

Senior Software Engineer, Meta

Chem Chikweze is a software engineer whose work spans software systems, cloud technologies, data, machine learning, and emerging technology. With a strong foundation in computer science and quantitative methods, he brings a practical engineering mindset to building technology that works beyond the prototype. His interests extend across intelligent systems, data driven applications, and the infrastructure required to turn technical ideas into reliable products. Chem also brings experience supporting technology communities and mentoring emerging talent, making him particularly passionate about helping people develop the technical confidence to move from learning technology to building with it.

Eje David Oheji

Senior Software Engineer, Cardmarket. Founder and CEO, Finderk

Eje David Oheji is a software engineer and entrepreneur building technology across the European startup and software ecosystem. A Computer Science graduate of Innopolis University, David is currently a Senior Software Engineer at Cardmarket in Berlin, where he works on software systems at scale. He is also the Founder and CEO of Finderk, a technology company focused on building practical digital products and services. His experience spans software engineering, product development, and entrepreneurship, giving him a perspective that connects technical execution with the realities of building and scaling technology businesses. David is particularly interested in helping emerging builders move beyond learning technology to applying it, shipping products, and creating ventures around real problems.

MoniJesu W. James

Robotics Researcher and Engineer

MoniJesu W. James is a robotics researcher and engineer working at the frontier of intelligent autonomous systems, where robotics, computer vision, spatial intelligence, and AI converge. His work explores how machines can perceive and understand their environments, reason about what they see, and act autonomously in complex physical settings. His research spans vision-language models, autonomous navigation, multi-robot coordination, semantic mapping, SLAM, aerial manipulation, and autonomous robotics, alongside hands-on engineering with LiDAR, ROS2, unmanned systems, and robotic platforms. He holds an MSc in Engineering Systems, specialising in Robotics, from Skoltech, completed on a full competitive scholarship with honours, and a BSc in Mechatronics and Robotics, also with honours. His research has been published at IEEE/ACM HRI 2026 and IEEE ICIT 2026. Beyond research, MoniJesu mentors aspiring engineers and researchers in robotics, AI, and pathways into graduate research.

Williams Okeke

Technology Researcher and STEM Educator

Williams Okeke is a technology researcher and STEM educator focused on machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational systems, and the practical application of emerging technologies. His work sits at the intersection of technical research and education, with a particular interest in helping people understand not only how modern technologies work, but how they can be applied to solve meaningful problems. With graduate training at Skoltech and experience working with students and emerging technologists, Williams brings a strong combination of technical depth and an educator's perspective. He is passionate about developing the next generation of builders and helping young people move from consuming technology to understanding, creating, and applying it.

Adele Chinda

PhD Researcher, Georgia State University

Adele Chinda is a computer science researcher working at the frontier of agentic artificial intelligence. As a PhD researcher at Georgia State University, his work focuses on developing AI agents capable of reasoning, planning, and acting autonomously across complex, multi step tasks and dynamic environments. His research spans large language model agents, multimodal AI, diffusion models, and multi agent systems, with a particular interest in improving the capabilities, efficiency, and reliability of intelligent systems. Adele has also collaborated with frontier AI research teams on approaches to improving multimodal model performance while reducing computational latency. With a strong mathematical foundation and an interest in the deeper mechanics of intelligence, he is exploring what comes after conventional AI assistants: systems that can reason, make decisions, and act.

Mmesomachi Nwachukwu

Mathematician, Special Maths Academy

Mmesomachi Nwachukwu is a mathematician and machine learning practitioner whose exceptional ability in mathematical problem solving emerged early through an extensive record of national and international mathematics competitions. His achievements include multiple appearances and honours at the International Mathematical Olympiad and medals at the Pan African Mathematical Olympiad. He holds a BSc in Mathematics and an MSc in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, combining rigorous mathematical thinking with modern computational methods. Mmesomachi is now part of Special Maths Academy, where he helps identify and develop exceptional young mathematical talent and connect them with global opportunities. He brings something rare to the classroom: the ability to make rigorous mathematical thinking both accessible and intellectually exciting.

Founding team

Daniel Idiare

Co-founder, Polaris Innovation Network

Daniel Idiare is an entrepreneur and technology builder focused on creating systems that expand access to education, opportunity, and economic participation. As a co-founder of Polaris Innovation Network, he works at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and human development, with experience spanning education, fintech, digital products, media, and e-commerce. His work is driven by a broader ambition to build scalable platforms that help people acquire valuable skills, access opportunity, and participate meaningfully in the digital economy. Daniel brings a builder's perspective to innovation, combining commercial thinking with a strong interest in the systems required to turn talent and ideas into sustainable impact.

Founding team

Ekpemiro Kelechi

Co-founder, Polaris Innovation Network

Ekpemiro Kelechi is a PMI certified project manager, an entrepreneur, systems builder, and innovation strategist working across technology, venture building, and human development. His work spans value centric ventures in IoT through StraightenUp, telemedicine through MyDoktor, and innovation ventures at Polaris Innovation Network. With a background in Computer Engineering, Information Systems, and Systems Engineering, Kelechi brings a multidisciplinary approach to building. His research includes UAV requirements engineering and mission simulation, reflecting his broader interest in applying systems thinking to complex problems. He is driven by the challenge of turning emerging technology and human capability into practical solutions with meaningful impact.

Founding team

Divine Wokoma

Mechanical Engineering, Wigwe University

Divine is a Mechanical Engineering student at Wigwe University and one of the emerging young talents supporting the Polaris community. He graduated as Valedictorian of Charles Dale Memorial International School and achieved a score of 362 in the 2024 JAMB/UTME examinations, placing him among the country's highest performing candidates. He currently maintains First Class standing in Mechanical Engineering and serves as Student Coordinator at Polaris Innovation Network, helping connect and support the student community. Divine represents an important part of the Polaris mission: identifying exceptional young people early, surrounding them with the right people and opportunities, and helping them develop the capacity to build at a much larger scale.